There are two common problems people have with logging in to Canvas.
​
1)  Using the alpine.instructure.com link to log in yields a 500 error:
If the device you are using is logged in to multiple Google accounts (Gmail accounts) when you first log in to Canvas, this error message is almost guaranteed.  This error also pops up when the server is too busy-- which frequently happens right at the end of the term.

There are two ways to solve this problem.  The first way is as follows :

Log out of each and every Google account used on the device.  (It isn't enough to close the window.  You must actually log out.)  Then log in using your @alpinesd.org gmail account.  After this, you should be able to add the other Google accounts (reopen them on the device), and from then on, the Canvas login will ask you which one to use.  But the first time, you have to log all the others out.

The method for solving problem 2 (below) should also work for this.

​2.  Using the alpine.instructure.com link to log in yields a forbidden or restricted error:

Solve this problem (and almost all Canvas Login problems) this way:

Log into your @alpinesd.org gmail, and get to Canvas through the google apps button in the upper right corner next to your profile pic.

​Click the 9 dots  (the symbol you use to get to Google drive), then choose MORE.

​This is always the best way to get you into Canvas when the alpine.instructure.com link yields a server error.

We are offering 14 sections of introductory chemistry at LPHS in the 2020-2021 school year.  The four teachers work collaboratively and use the same resources, assignments, and schedule.  There is at least one section offered every class period.

1. Make sure the email addresses listed in Skyward (for both student and guardian) are accurate!  (Students-- use (or set a forward to) an email address that you actually CHECK, i.e., the email address that updates to your smart phone, if you have one.)
2. Do not allow yourself to fall behind.  Concepts build upon prior knowledge, so if you don't do the homework at the beginning of a unit, odds are good that you will struggle with concepts for the rest of that unit because of it.
3. Watch the calendar!  Units are frequently very short.  Generally there is a new test or late-work-deadline (or both) every week.  All of these are already marked on the calendar.   Being unaware of a deadline will not get you an extension!  Add the calendar to your gmail account (this can also update to a smart phone).
4. There will be homework.   Every day.   Plan on it.  We will learn new things.  Every day.  Plan on it.  Choose to be excited to learn new ideas and skills.  Polish up your work ethic and enjoy the opportunity to grow, because that is what school is all about.
5. Use the resources that are available.  All class notes and all handouts are available on this website (and via Canvas) for viewing or download.  There are tutorial videos or applets linked with many concepts as well.  We are in the process of recording teacher narrations for all of the class notes.  There is an outline-style review posted with every unit.  (Some students use these outlines during the units as well, since they often explain things in a different way than the class notes do.)  Take advantage of the availability of course content for this class!

Are you signed up for chemistry this fall?  Are you super excited?
Are you worried about COVID-19 stealing your learning opportunities?

Luckily, the LPHS chemistry team has already created a cohesive curriculum, and our course content is all available online.  Similar to the physics program at LPHS, the chemistry program relies on online homework and the class notes (and any paper assignments) are available online.

We are in the process of recording narration videos for all the class notes, so if you need to stay home to quarantine, you will still be able to get the information you need and submit your assignments on time.  (You can submit paper assignments by taking a photo/scan and submitting electronically.) 

We know that listening to us teach on video is not as inspiring as being in the classroom, but hopefully our recordings are still an improvement over reading the notes by yourself.  If you take advantage of our online content (some of which will be posted here, all of which will be available via Canvas), you will be able to succeed in chemistry even if you cannot be in the classroom due to the pandemic.

Click on the image for a larger version and more detailed information!

Oh hey, do you want more detail than was in the previous post?  Do you want to take the Unit 11 test while quarantined?  Super!

Here is a summary of the Socially Distant LPHS Chemistry Plan.  Note that this was written by Wentz, so if you have a different chem teacher, a few of these things may be somewhat different in your class.

The Unit 11 Test & Late Work Deadline were intended to be Monday, 3/16 (A-Day) and Tuesday, 3/17 (B-Day).  With the schools entering soft closure, what's the plan now?

• Unit 11 Canvas homework will lock at 7:45am as previously scheduled (3/16 for A-Day, 3/17 for B-Day).  Nothing has changed regarding the U11 online homework.
• Other Unit 11 homework should be submitted by 11:59pm on the day your class was scheduled to test.  There is now a Canvas Module called "Unit 11 Work" which contains a submission form for each assignment from Unit 11.  (Alternatively, you could look at the course calendar in Canvas, or at the Unit 11 pages in Canvas to find the submission forms.)
• The "test" is going to be... different.  We'll figure that part out by Wednesday, but for Monday and Tuesday, we're just going to worry about getting all the U11 work turned in.

Wait!  How do I turn in my Unit 11 work now that the school is closed?

1. Go to the Canvas Course.
2. If you have a missing/late assignment for Unit 11, find its name in the "Unit 11 Work" module, on 3/16 or 3/17 on the calendar, or on the Unit 11 page inside Canvas.
3. Click on the assignment name, and you will be taken to a Canvas "assignment" where you can submit pictures of the worksheet in question so that you get credit. 
4. Everyone will need to submit their Unit 11 Mastery Document through the Canvas submission form.  (Apologies-- we cannot link directly to those forms from outside of Canvas.  There are direct links on the Unit 11 page inside Canvas.)
5. A printable pdf of each assignment is provided at the top of its form.  If you can't find your paper copy of an assignment and you don't have access to a printer, you can simply read the questions online, answer them on a piece of notebook paper, and submit a picture of that instead of a picture of the actual worksheet.

We are offering 16 sections of introductory chemistry at LPHS in the 2019-2020 school year.  The four teachers work collaboratively and use the same resources, assignments, and schedule.  There is at least one section offered every class period.

1. Make sure the email addresses listed in Skyward (for both student and guardian) are accurate!  (Students-- use an email address that you actually CHECK, i.e., the email address that updates to your smart phone, if you have one.)
2. Do not allow yourself to fall behind.  Concepts build upon prior knowledge, so if you don't do the homework at the beginning of a unit, odds are good that you will struggle with concepts for the rest of that unit because of it.
3. Watch the calendar!  Units are frequently very short.  Generally there is a new test or late-work-deadline (or both) every week.  All of these are already marked on the calendar.   Being unaware of a deadline will not get you an extension!  Add the calendar to your gmail account (this can also update to a smart phone).
4. There will be homework.   Every day.   Plan on it.  We will learn new things.  Every day.  Plan on it.  Choose to be excited to learn new ideas and skills.  Polish up your work ethic and enjoy the opportunity to grow, because that is what school is all about.
5. Use the resources that are available.  All class notes and all handouts are available on this website for viewing or download.  There are tutorial applets linked with many concepts as well.  There is an outline-style review posted with every unit.  Some students use these outlines during the units as well, since they often explain things in a different way than the class notes do.

Click below to check out some recent chemistry: from skunk stench to the moon, from eye-floaties to uranium, Compound Interest summarizes July 2019's big chemistry topics.

Fireworks! 
​(Actually, let's call it applied chemistry & physics.)
Here's a short video from the American Chemical Society about the chemistry of fireworks, for your Fourth of July enjoyment.  You also might like this article from Mental Floss which  explains the chemistry of different fireworks colors. 

Science News for Students has an article that also looks into some of the physics and engineering challenges involved in creating a pyrotechnics show-- including pictures of a record-breaking shell that created a fire-burst 1 km (0.6 mi) in diameter!