11-4/ Second Quarter Start

First quarter we covered the following topics:

1. Atomic Structure - Rules for building an Atom
2. Patterns on the Periodic Table
3. Atomic Bonding Rules and Molecule Formation:
We looked at specific characteristics of Dihydrogen Monoxide
4. Relationship between Atoms, Elements, Molecules, and Compounds
5. Relationship between Compounds, Mixtures, and Solutions

We started this second quarter by discussing Final Exam & First Quarter Grades.

We next began a discussion about the Three States of Matter and the relationship between molecular distances and speeds, and Potential vs Kinetic Energy. The concept of the Kinetic Model of Matter was introduced as well. We accomplished this by having the class complete a whole body activity where each student represented a molecule of water.

The entire class was asked to step out of the classroom and walk down the stairwell by my room and all pile into the space between our outer doors and the fire doors (about 3.5 X 8 foot square space). Students were allowed to stand in that space for a while. Teacher made observation that each student felt the need to move ever so slightly --- this was described as a metaphor that all of matter from atoms to molecules vibrate or move at all times.

I then asked students what state of matter they represented at this time. Students were asked to notice the amount of space available to them and the amount of movement was available to them. The concept of Potential Energy was introduced as their own potential desire to move out of the confined space. Potential Energy is high in this situation. Their Kinetic Energy is low in this situation.

"Heat" was then added to this situation so that the "molecules" could go from the solid state to the liquid state. More "heat" was added to the second situation so that the "molecules" could go from the liquid state to a gaseous state. In each situation questions similar to the paragraph above were asked.

Homework assigned was for each student to provided responses to each of these question in their notebook. Homework will be assessed using a 20 point Homework Check when students enter the classroom tomorrow.