Atomic Theory Timeline

One of my students made an ingenious addition to his timeline.  Note how he put a line in each scientists’ colored timeline to add the date for each scientist’s major contribution to the development of atomic theory.

 Every year, my teens create timelines for the development of the Atomic Theory.  Some of my kids have never made a timeline before.  Now is a good time to make one.  Here is the chapter from Prentice Hall Chemistry, the source for the atomic theory timeline.  Here is the list of scientists.  The kids must include the list, each scientist’s contribution to atomic theory, and their birth and death years.  Ideally, the date of the discovery should be included, or the approximate year.  Each scientist is represented with a different color on the timeline. Below are examples.  

Electron Configurations

Let me share several resources for teaching electron configurations.   Start here with this chapter from a teacher’s edition of Prentice Hall Chemistry, explaining electron configurations.  Here is a good overview about electron configurations.  It’s important to understand how the electrons around different elements behave, especially during bonding.  This lesson leads to Lewis dot diagrams and VSEPR lessons.  There are several ways to teach electron configurations.  Take a look at this Guided activity.  Here is a worksheet with an answer key.  Try Hog Hilton, a very popular Chemistry activity for instructions.  Here is a POGIL activity for electron configurations and the answer key.  Hope these help!

Make your own molecules!

 I use molecules for both Chemistry and Biology.  Since I teach these courses regularly, I bought molecular model sets.  There are loads of ways to make your own molecules: DIY Clay model kits, straw models, beads and pipe cleaners (see examples here), and paper models.  Instructables has these plans for making an excellent, organic model kit.  Here is yet another worksheet.  Use your kit to build these molecules as the kids learn how to name molecular structures.  Here is the slideshow I prepared to introduce Organic Nomenclature.  Hope this helps!

Organic Nomenclature

 Organic Nomenclature is one of my favorite lessons to teach.  Let me share several resources.  Below are two videos with basic instruction naming alkanes.  Here is the first worksheet I use and here is its answer key.  Next, the kids build all of these molecules.  Here are detailed instructions for naming alkanes.  We use Labaids Molecular kits.  Here are instructions for building your own molecular modeling kit with q-tips and clay.  Here is an article about making molecular models with straws.  Here’s hoping this post is helpful!

 

Apologia Chemistry: How many modules do you teach?

 I’m at the point in Chemistry where I’m having a mini-meltdown.  This happens every time I teach Chemistry.  I panic over whether or not my kids are going to complete the material before the end of June. We need to finish by the end of May; most of the families already have plans for June.  So, I over-react.  Then I look over the remaining material, some of which I’ve taught: polyatomic ions and acid nomenclature.  Additionally, I remind myself that the qualitative lessons about periodicity and acid-bases go much quicker than moles and stoichiometry.  So, how many modules do I actually teach?  Usually, we teach twelve modules well.  Modules 13-15 are seldom taught well.  However, we have done some thermodynamics earlier this year.  I also like to add a little Organic Chemistry.  Once in a blue moon, I teach a bit of Nuclear Chemistry.  At a minimum we do Modules 1-12–with brief explanations about Redox and equilibrium—very brief.  

MEL Chemistry Kits

 Have you seen the ads for MEL Chemistry kits?  It’s a subscription plan.  Nope, I didn’t take a subscription.  Instead, I’ve been bidding on lots of kits available at Good Will online. (eBay has loads of kits available, too.)  My target price is $10 per kit.  The screen shot below is the latest lot I won on Good Will; I paid $33 for the set of four kits with shipping.  I didn’t count the starter set when I placed my bid.    I’m using the kits as incentives; the kids who work efficiently and finish ahead of the class get to select and test a kit.  This allows the rest of the class time to finish their labs.  I wanted a chance to evaluate the MEL kits, too.  This morning, Joe started But, will it burn?  This lab produces hydrogen gas, which the kids have already done.  But the kit has new equipment, which is always cool.  Two other boys opened Tin and  Alchemy kits to try next week.  I ordered more of the chemicals for these kits so everyone has a chance to try them.  Are these kits worth $10?  Maybe.  You do need the Starter set  if you don’t have basic lab equipment.  The kits have enough chemicals for three trials.  If your teen loves Chemistry and you can buy a lot at a decent price, the MEL kits make good birthday or Christmas presents.  My teens now have a powerful incentive to move through their labs more quickly, instead of gabbing.

Solubility Rules Lab

 The kids are completing the Solubility Rules lab.  I am thrilled with the results and wanted to share a few more pix.  After the kids finished the lab, I spent time getting each teen discussing the patterns.  Which compounds are generally soluble or insoluble?  After I showed the teens this Solubility Rules Chart.  This lab works well if you have a number of compounds; we used fourteen different compounds.  Labs, like these require a huge investment of time to complete.  However, this lab reinforces double replacement reactions, nomenclature, reaction prediction, and formation of precipitates.  Take a look!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Make a secret message with water beads.  Here are instructions.  Write or print the message.  Hydrate clear water beads.  Cover the message with the beads.  When you add water, the beads disappear revealing the message!  Fun, right?  We did the demo in class today.  I hadn’t cleaned up an earlier lab with water beads.  So I invested five minutes to make the demo.  Just write a sweet massage, place a clear bowl over the message, and cover it with water beads.  Add water to reveal the message.  I forgot to take an after photo when I completed the demo.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  

Can you make 2 grams?

 I just posted about this Stoichiometry lab.  I had an idea last night about making filtration assemblies.  I have one vacuum filtration set.  One.  I do have many, many yogurt cups and lids.  We buy yogurt in bulk. The kids cut a hole in the yogurt lid for the plastic funnel.  They poured their filtrate into the funnels using gravity filtration, or just allowing the water to slowly pour through the funnel.  Here is gravity filtration with a ring stand, ring, glass funnel, and flask.  Below are pix of our filtration assemblies.  We do operate on a budget!

 

Apologia Chemistry: Module 7 Atomic Structure

 Once we finish Stoichiometry next week, we’re tackling atomic structure, Module #7.  I have several activities I do every time I teach Chemistry: Atomic Theory Timeline, the Beanium Isotope Lab (Here is a slideshow with sample calculations.). Flame Test Lab, (Here is a blog post with more links.). POGIL activities, and Hog Hilton.  There are several worthwhile POGIL activities to consider: What Makes an Atom?,  Atomic Models and Development of the Atom, and Electron Configurations.  This is an especially important module.  Take time to do some labs!

Balance Equations with Candy!

 I just ran across Sweetly Balanced Equations.  I wish I had seen this idea earlier.  I have no problem using candy in science classes.  Anything that motivates kids works for me.  A teacher posted pix of her class balancing with candy on social media.  Teachers commented on alternatives: pony beads, paper clips, Fruit Loops cereal, etc, all much cheaper.  But kids like candy.  They remember labs they like.  BTW my posts are likely to be shorter and fewer in number.  I just entered tax season and am in ‘survivor mode’ until the middle of April.