Element for President!

We are currently working on the Element for President project.

On the right hand side of the page you will find excellent links to online periodic tables that are full of information. This is the best way to start. Please do not 'google' your element unless you have tried all the links and books that are provided.

Your primary focus should be getting the information for the fact sheet first. If you would like to download the form and type it - check HERE. (Looks like it is not up yet, but it will be up soon!) Then you want to work on your campaign poster, button and/or bumper sticker. The requirements are outlined below.

CAMPAIGN POSTER

Campaign Posters should be neatly done and include the symbol, name, atomic number, and the mass number for your element. They should be in color because color is more eye-catching. They may either be hand-drawn or done on a computer, but the work needs to be done by only you. Campaign posters should be the same size as a regular sheet of paper (8½” x 11”).

CAMPAIGN BUTTON or BUMPER STICKER DESIGNS

Campaign buttons and/or stickers must include the name or symbol of your element and a campaign slogan. Your slogan should be more creative than “Gold for President!” The cheesier the better. Again, color is more eye-catching. They may either be hand-drawn or done on a computer, but the work needs to be done by only you.

This project is due on March 26, 2010
Campaigns and elections will be held on March 31, 2010
5 points will be deducted every day that your project is late and you may be disqualified from the campaign. You will be given some time in the computer lab to do research, and some time in the classroom. Additional work will need to be completed outside of class.

Bonding Bonding Bonding

Now that everyone knows how to bond... it is time to mix the problems together!

Step 1 is to ALWAYS FIND THE CHARGES. This is imperative.

If it is a positive and a positive or has a noble gas - there is NO BOND.

If it is a positive and a negative, then the charges are criss crossed to get the formula. To name it, say the name of the metal, use roman numerals if it is not in the S block, and say the non metal anion with an ide ending.

If it is a negative and a negative, then the atoms must be drawn with valence electrons, single electrons matched with others, a formula written, and then it is named with prefixes.

Tomorrow students will be working on a GIANT review sheet. There will be a test on this material on Tuesday.

More Ionic Speed Dating and learning Covalent bonds

Today we practiced more ionic bonding with speed sating after reviewing any corrections I made on their first speed dating card. Students altered their personalities to the opposite sex from a metal to a nonmetal or from a nonmetal to a metal and made some more detailed drawings of their people-personalities. Everyone knew what they were doing and was much speedier in their speed dating.

Daniel and Gabby Speed Dating
Jay's speed dating card
TJ and Taryn Speed dating
Kari's speed dating personality is a man in a sombrero.

Then students learned about covalent bonding, how to do it, and how to name it. Students practiced on white boards and really seemed to get it. Tomorrow they will practice some more in a round robin fashion.Olivia and Jay work together and Chris is working on his own to covalently bond two atoms.

Kaboria is working with Dontae, while Manuel is working with Channel.

Ionic Bonding Speed Dating

Today students learned about ionic bonds, how to bond them, and how to name ionic compounds.

Ionic bonds are formed by ecriss crossing the charges of a cation and anion. Ionic compounds are named by saying the name of the metal, putting roman numerals if its not in the S block, and then the name of the anion with an ide ending.

Each students took on the persona of an element. Cations and metals were boys; anions and non metals were girls. Students lined up in the hallway and went on "speed dates" with members of the opposite charge, came up with the correct formula, and then named the resulting compound. When they finished, they moved on down the line and bonded with someone else.

By doing this activity, students work with a variety of their classmates, get to talk through the process with different people, and get a lot of hard work practicing in... while having fun. Below are some photos of the event.Joci is bonding Molybdenum to an anion girl.Emily, Jeremy, Brendan, and Alan all in a rowManuel, Gabby, Laura, Jessie, Kari, TJ, Taryn, and Brittany all enjoying Ionic Speed Dating.

Marshmallows!

Here are D'artagnan and Harriet the marshmallows, happily in love (and unaware of their impending doom).

After 1 minute in the microwave, they look quite a bit different. So what happens?

Marshmallows are colloids (permanently suspended homogeneous mixtures) of sugar and air. When the marshmallow is heated, the air particles get excited and move faster and more, so the air expands and so does the marshmallow.

When the microwave cuts off, the air cools down dramatically, the gas particles contract, and the marshmallow shrinks.

Now you know... and knowing is half the battle.

Flame Lab / Fireworks Lab

Today students worked on a flame and fireworks lab and they behaved like real scientists. I was very impressed with their good conduct. Its an exciting lab because it involves fire and pretty colors.

Students dipped Qtips in alcohol, then a metal salt, and then burned it. The flames turned different colors based on the metal salt involved. After testing each metal separately, students mixed colors to see how the flames turned out. There were plenty of oohs and ahhs and students enjoyed the lab.

For more information about metals and flame colors check here and here.

My camera was at home and I am sorry that I missed capturing the beautiful flames.

Tomorrow students will take the Unit 3 Test on the Periodic Table.