 After all the students told me they "get it" and they know what's going on in Unit B, their exit slip on Friday proved this was not the case... at all! That's why we do those exit slips, and that is why I am definitely moving the test back a bit, so that the kids can get a little bit more practice in. Because Unit B Electrochemistry makes up 30% of the chem 30 curriculum, and is actually really important to every day life!
Last week, the chem 30s had their titration lab due. This lab had 74% of kids hand the assignment in on time. That's pretty good, but I'm not sure if it is because I put a "work plan" on the board, or if it's because I gave them an extra day? Hopefully they put that "work plan" to good use, and can apply it to their other labs. Speaking of which, the inquiry based lab project was a very exciting and intersting process both for me to watch and (I think) for the kids to experience. Yes it was challenging, but more than once I overheard kids saying "That's so cool". #teachergoals ;) This week in Chem 30: Monday: In Class Assignment Tuesday: Review of In Class Assignment Wednesday / Thursday: Unit B Test (not sure which day yet) Friday: Review for Midterm Exam Upcoming Due Dates in Chem 30 Wednesday: IBL Cell Lab Project (1 per pair) Unit B Test (Date TBA - either Thursday or Friday) ***Summative Assessment Notice*** CHEM 30 MIDTERM EXAM WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2015
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 Last week's short week came with its challenges. There are still a variety of students thinking they are able to drop chemistry 30. There is honour and pride in sticking it out in a class that is challenging, and I have become increasingly frustrated with the students giving up on themselves. Quite honestly, if a student hands in projects, their mark will be very near 50%, even if they fail every assessment. I do not set students up to fail in chem 30. I teach the curriculum, with added depth, so that when they get to tests and the diploma, they have that added little information and understanding to do better on the assessment. In my class, the assessments are based on previous diploma questions, provided by Alberta Education. They are completely fair assessments. Chemistry 30 is simply a very difficult course. The admin and advising staff has mentioned that students will not be allowed to drop chemistry 30 this late in the game, so hopefully kids will just put in a little bit more effort with a positive attitude.
Last week the chem 30s had 3 classes worth of labs and projects. This is very important for their understanding of the chemistry 30 curricular outcomes, as it is difficult to learn hands on material without physically performing hands on labs! On Friday, the 30s received a unique new project that I developed due to the fact that students really struggle with this topic on the diploma. I asked students in groups of 2 to create a working voltaic and electrolytic cell; prior to introducing these topics. The trick was, I asked them to create the cells with household materials. This seemed to be more of the challenge for many students, as they were asking where to buy specific chemicals. The key is again that these cells are to be made of household materials (i.e. coins, paper clips, etc). I am interested to see if the chem 30s can think outside of the chemistry box, and apply their inquiry to simple every day life applications. Coming up this week, the chem 30s will learn the theory behind voltaic and electrolytic cells. Students also have the opportunity to rewrite the first unit test Monday after school (3:45-5:30) and they have 2 work periods to work on their labs and projects. I would like to encourage students to come in for extra help if they are struggling to understand this unit, as it is worth 30% of the curricular outcomes on the diploma exam. This week in Chem 30 Monday: Work Period Tuesday: Topic 6 Voltaic Cells Wednesday: Topic 7 Electrolytic Cells Thursday: Topic 8 Faraday's Law in Electrolytic Cells Friday: Work Period (Ms. Mogck Away for Vball) Upcoming Due Dates and Assessments Monday Oct 19: Unit A REWRITE Afterschool Thursday Oct 22: Redox Titration Lab due Tuesday Oct 27: Unit B Electrochem Test Wednesday Oct 28: Cell Inquiry Lab due (partner lab) Wednesday Nov 4: CHEM 30 MIDTERM  I promise students will not have assigned homework over thanksgiving break. If they do, it is because they are behind and have not handed something in. This week will be full of learning, and experiencing electrochemistry! With a quiz to cap the week!
This week in Chem 30 Monday: Topic 3 Spontaneity Tuesday: Topic 4 Balancing in Solution Wednesday: Topic 5 Redox Stoich Thursday: Quiz Upcoming Due Dates Thursday October 8: QUIZ 1 (topic 1-5) Wednesday October 21: Redox Titration Lab due Monday October 26: Inquiry Based Cell Lab Happy Thanksgiving! |
AuthorMs. Kendra Mogck Archives
June 2017
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