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7/4/2019

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!

June 2019 News in Chemistry

7/3/2019

Click below to check out some recent chemistry: An enzyme that can convert Type A blood to Type O, snail-slime that inspired a superglue, how much microplastic humans are eating, and more. Compound Interest summarizes June 2019's big chemistry topics.

Reminders and Suggestions for Success!

8/13/2018

LPHSChem.com: Learn it, Live it, Love it.
- Hover over the current term, and the units covered this term will appear as a drop-down menu.
- Hover over the current unit name (in the term’s drop-down menu), and a “Day-by-Day” tab will appear.
- Clicking on the name of a unit will take you to that unit’s main-page, which lists all the work assigned that unit in one column, and all of the notes in another column.
- Clicking on a unit’s “Day-by-Day” tab will take you to a page that lists each calendar day for that unit and indicates what was turned in, what was assigned, and what notes were taken. (This is the most convenient way to find out what you missed if you were absent, what assignments were given, etc.)
All class notes and all handouts are available on this website for viewing or download.
- All class handouts appear as links which are printer-friendly pdfs, so if you miss class or lose your assignment, you can print one from home.
- All class notes are linked so if you miss class and need the notes, need to review or see an example problem, or want to print a copy of the slideshow to simplify notetaking, you can do so easily.
  - A "printer-friendly” option will display at the bottom of the google-slides window if you make a print request. This converts the slides to black-and-white only, and prints two-slides per page in order to save your ink cartridges if you choose to print the full slideshow for notetaking. (Some students find it helpful to print this "printer-friendly" version to take notes on during class so that they don’t need to write as much.)
All test dates and late-work deadlines are already listed both on the individual unit pages and on the class calendar.
You can subscribe to the class calendar on this webpage if you have a Google account. (Instructions are at the bottom of the calendar page.) You can also sign up for updates through Canvas.
Suggestions for success in chemistry:
- When we correct a quiz in class, the teacher’s goal is to explain how you should have found the answer. If you are struggling, make sure you pay close attention during the correcting of the quiz! (Also remember that quizzes are open-note unless you are specifically told otherwise.)
- There are tutorial applets linked with many concepts—these appear both on the unit’s main-page and on its Day-by-Day page.
- There is an outline-style review posted with every unit—it is frequently labelled “Study for the Unit ___ Test!” These are summaries of all the information students are expected to know for the unit tests. The frequently explain concepts in a different way or with different examples than the class notes, which can be helpful.
- You are always encouraged to write notes on one side of a 3”x5” card for unit tests.
- Online homework can be attempted multiple times. An excellent strategy is to start your online homework the day it is assigned, then write down (or print or screen-cap) the questions you got wrong and can't figure out on your own. Go to your teacher with your questions the next day before or after school. That way you can get help before the online homework is due and earn better scores.
- Questions from online homework very frequently appear on unit tests, and can be viewed again later, as long as you did the original assignment on time.
- It is always the case that the vast majority of questions from a unit’s online “Unit Review” homework will also appear on the unit test.
  - Always do the Unit Review! Do it the day it is assigned so that you have time to ask your teacher about any questions that stump you.
  - Those questions will be on the test—make sure you know how to answer them correctly. (Check your score reports!)
The "day-by-day" page for each unit already shows what we will be doing each day (all the way to graduation!) so you can always work ahead if you need to.
Your teacher is always willing to help you if you are willing to come in and ask questions. If you are struggling, come in and ask questions before or after school! The sooner you ask, the better. Don't wait and get behind-- that will only make it worse!
There are five chemistry teachers at LPHS (Argyle, Berrett, Erekson, Wagner, Wentz). All five use the same curriculum—same assignments, same class notes, same assessments. If your teacher is not available, you are welcome to go to one of the other chemistry teachers with your questions.

Succeeding in Chemistry at LPHS

8/6/2018

We are offering 16 sections of introductory chemistry at LPHS in the 2018-2019 school year. The five teachers work collaboratively and use the same resources, assignments, and schedule. There is at least one section offered every class period.

Make sure the email addresses listed in Skyward (for both student and guardian) are accurate!
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.
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.
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.
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. Some students find it helpful to print the "printer-friendly" versions of the PowerPoints to take notes on during class. 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.

Welcome to Chemistry at LPHS!

8/19/2016

This year's classes start on Monday 8/22/16.

In this course, you will learn about the physical world around you. Substances can be described by their chemical structure or properties. Substances can be made of molecules and these molecules are made of atoms. When parts come together, the whole often has properties that are very different from its parts. The formation of compounds results in a great diversity of matter from a limited number of elements. When matter combines, energy is absorbed or released and matter is rearranged to make new substances with new properties.

Chemistry employs algebra to describe and predict relationships between variables. Throughout the year, you will be applying the basic algebra skills you've learned in math.

Come to class prepared with:

Lined paper
A folder or binder
Pencil & pen
Scientific Calculator (Graphing Calculators are great, but not required.)

The text we will use in class is Modern Chemistry, by Davis. You may also use the USOE OER chemistry text (free pdf version or print version $5.49) as a resource. You will NOT need to bring a text to class unless your teacher specifically tells you to the previous period.

You must have internet access to succeed in this course-- online homework is a staple, and all class resources are linked through this website. If you do not have access at home, make sure you have completed AUP paperwork and plan to spend time in a school computer lab or the media center at lunch or after school.

Have a great summer!

5/26/2016

Thanks for a fabulous year full of chemistry.

When in doubt, convert to moles!

End of Third Term!

3/9/2016

Please be aware that 3rd term comes to an end on 3/18/16.

Unit 13 (Nuclear Reactions) is the final unit on your 3rd term grade. We will begin Unit 14 (Electrochemistry) on Day 64, but it will be posted on the 4th term grade.

The final late work deadline for 3rd term work is 3/16/16 at 2:45 pm.
If you have extenuating circumstances and/or are hoping for mercy and latitude from your teacher, make sure you talk with the teacher as soon as possible. Waiting until the deadline (or after the deadline) makes teachers far less understanding.
You cannot receive slacker-pass points if you have not EARNED a passing grade.

You may retake ONE unit test on 3/17 or 3/18 if you wish.

There were five unit tests 3rd term-- Units 9-13.
There is a 90% ceiling on retakes.
STUDY for your retake-- if you earn a lower score the second time, you will RECEIVE the lower score!
You may study your original test in the classroom on 3/15 or 3/16. It may not leave the room. Photos are not allowed.
If you are not available on the two retake dates (3/17 & 3/18), you must arrange with your teacher to do your retake EARLY, or you lose the privilege of having a retake.
NO LATE RETAKES ARE PERMITTED.

December 18th, 2015

12/18/2015

Please be aware that Unit 9 (Electrons in the Atom) will be recorded on your 2nd Semester (3rd term) grade despite the fact that we will begin Unit 9 before the semester changes on 1/13/16.

If scheduling conflicts require you to change teachers at the semester, YOU will be responsible to retrieve your Unit 9 work from your Semester 1 teacher and deliver it to your Semester 2 teacher.

Welcome to Chemistry at LPHS!

9/15/2015

We hope you all had a great summer break. We're excited about our new year and look forward to teaching and discussing science concepts with you. We ask only that you come to class with a mind open to inquiry and a work ethic that will reflect an individual who desires to make the most out of your time spent in my class and learning the subject.

It will take work to do well in this class. You will have homework, you will be asked to read to gain further knowledge. You will be asked to be a student.

A student is defined by a person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning; a learner; a pupil; a scholar; especially, one who attends a school, or who seeks knowledge from professional teachers or from books...

Class MOTTO:
"If you are going to be here.... you might as well be here! (Ryan Millar)

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