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Lewis 504 Assignment

Welcome to the world of blogging. Here's the assignment for this evening:

Part 1: Use the following links to do a little bit of research on your own regarding Copyright law in teaching, as well as cyberbullying.
Copyright Law:
http://ced.ncsu.edu/techcomps/unets6.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~cnew/research.htm

Fair Use Chart

Cyber Safety:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0869
http://cybersmart.org/
http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/
http://www.isafe.org/

http://www.netsmartzkids.org/activities/nsrules/nswhat2do.htm

http://www.ctap4.org/cybersafety/cybersafetylinks.htm

Part 2: Create a blog on www.blogger.com. You can use your Lewis University Google account, since blogger.com is owned by google. Design your blog to be used as a communication tool with your students and/or parents. I will be looking for a few things:
Thing 1 - Put up at least two static "Pages" in addition to your home page. Some ideas for static page topics: "About Me", Calendar, Class Resources, Local Education Centers (libraries, museums, parks, etc.) a suggested reading list,
Thing 2 - Make at least 3 postings to your blog. A good idea for your first post might be a beginning of the year memo to let your readers know what to expect from you.
Thing 3 - Put a description in your blog so that anyone who visits it will know what sort of information they can find without actually reading 20 postings.

Part 3: Create a comment to this post to briefly discuss the following two themes. Please comment on both of the "themes" listed below. You may use what others have posted as a jumping off point in addition to the "themes":
Theme 1: As a teacher, is it important to model copyright/fair use laws with your students all of the time? What sorts of things are protected by copyright law?
Theme 2: What is cyberbullying? Why is it important that we as educators spend precious time to cover this topic?

Week of May 23, 2011

Monday - Your last project of the year is due in class today.  We'll set up the games and play a few rounds.

Tuesday - We'll set up the games and play a few rounds.

Wednesday - Today we'll go over the answers to the review packet.  Bring yours to class filled out.

Thursday -  Finals are today for periods 1, 2 & 3.  Bring your review packet to turn in.  Have a couple of pencils, a good eraser, and your non-graphing calculator.  Juniors: bring your textbook to turn in.

Friday - Finals are today for periods 1, 2 & 3.  Bring your review packet to turn in.  Have a couple of pencils, a good eraser, and your non-graphing calculator.  Juniors: bring your textbook to turn in.

Week of May 16, 2011

This is our last full week in Chemistry.  Finals begin next week on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

Monday -Time will be given in class towards making a review game.  Topics for the game were assigned last week on Friday.  If you don't have a topic, see/email Mr. Kane right away! 

I have a few links that might be helpful for your project:

The Periodic Table (7.2) - RSG - PowerPoint

Bonding and Structure (8) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

Acids, Bases and Solutions (9) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

 Stoichiometry (10) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

Thermo-chemistry (11) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

Chemical Equilibrium (12) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

Nuclear (13) - RSG - Review - PowerPoint

Tuesday - Same as Monday

Wednesday - I handed out the review for the semester exam today.

Thursday - Watch the NOVA video I show in class.  Work on review or review game.

Friday - Watch the Chemistry video I show in class.  Work on review or review game. 

At this point, I'll have used this blog for 2 solid months in class.  If you have any suggestions on how to use it, make it better,etc for next year, please feel free to make a comment to this posting.  I appreciate any and all feedback.

Optional Project

This posting describes an optional project that I have available for 4th quarter.  Since it is optional, you have the choice to do it or not.

The project is inspired by a t-shirt that I saw recently (while at the Museum of Science and Industry:

The project is to create a word or  phrase using only symbols that are found on the periodic table.  This will be worth up to 15 points.  The project is to be turned in on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of plain paper.  It should be of high quality work; worthy of being hung on a wall.

Due Date: will be Tuesday, May 24th, though they can be turned in anytime you think you are ready.

Extra Credit Opportunities: 

• 2 points extra credit will be awarded to the word or phrase with the highest molar mass (to be eligible you must show the calculation, and answer).
• 2 points extra credit will be awarded to the word or phrase using the most symbols (to be eligible you must give a unique element symbol count.)
• 2 points extra credit will be awarded if your word or phrase is the answer to a science pun or a joke.  The pun or joke should be included on the same sheet of paper that the project is turned in on.

Week of May 9, 2011

This is going to be a busy week.  If you didn't see it over the weekend, the liquid nitrogen experiments made the local newspaper (Homer Horizon and Lockport Legend)! 

Extra Credit is still availble using both my Recycling and Drop Box extra credit.  See posts below.  Time is running out.

Monday:  Today we'll go over the Half-Life Practice problems from last week.  We continued our notes by discussing the discovery of radiation, as well as thre three types of nuclear radiation.  Tonight's homework is to work on the front of the Radiation Practice Problems worksheet.

Tuesday:  Today we did an activity in class known as Radioactive Decay Cards.  This gave us some practice with alpha and beta radiation in nuclear decay equations.  This lab was finished in class and turned in  If you have to make it up, you will also need a copy of the cards..  Homework is to finish the Radiation Practice Problems workheet, work on your Reading Study Guide, and to estimate your personal annual radiation dose.

Wednesday:  We went over the problems from the homework, had a discussion on the difference between nuclear fusion and fission.  I also passed out the review for the test.  Here is the link to the review.

Thursday:  We'll finish up the important notes/discussion from chapter 12.2.  We'll also go over questions from the Review.  Answers to the review are here.

Friday:  Today is our Test on Unit 13 - Nuclear Chemistry.  The Reading Study Guide and Review are due today.  Today I also introduced our last mandatory project of the year: what I like to call Chemopoly.

Week of May 2

We're entering the home stretch now.  One month until final exams.  Keep up the good work, and keep your grade up!

Monday:  We'll start out our Nuclear Unit (Unit 13) with a video on Nuclear Power called Nove: Power Surge.  If you are interested in calculating your own carbon footprint, try here.

Tuesday:  We're going to need candy in class today!  I'll bring in what we need for the activities.  We'll be using M&M's and Vine candy (like Twizlers or RedVines).  Remember, the more we bring in, the more we can eat!!  We'll be doing the Vine Candy Half Life Activity, as well as starting the Candium Half-Life Lab.  Also, I'm going to hand out the Reading Study Guide.  Get started on RSG 13 . . . you should have 12.1 read for this Wednesday, May 4th. 

Wednesday:  (Half Day)  We finished up the candium lab from yesterday and turned it in.  The second half of the long class periods (4th-6th hour) will be SSR time.

Thursday:  We'll pass back the lab and discuss the important points on it.  We're also going to go over the first part of the Notes for Unit 13.  We'll also work on the Half-Life Problems worksheet.

Friday:  TBA

Week of April 25

Monday - No School

Tuesday - Today we met in the Maroon Room for liquid nitrogen demos.  Videos are now up, and can be viewed on My YouTube Channel.

Wednesday - PSAE Testing.

Thursday - PSAE Testing.

Friday - We'll be watching a Nova Video in class.  I plan on posting the optional project for the year this weekend.  It will only be posted online, as I will mention in class.

Week of April 18, 2011

Monday:  We introduced chromatography today with a lab using FDA approved food dyes. 

Control FDA Approved Colors



Unknown Colors

For more information on food dyes and the controversy behind them, see these recent articles at this link and this link from the Chicago Tribune.  Also, this article in the Washington post is interesting.





Tuesday:  We'll take notes about chromatography, and get the Reading Study Guide for Unit 12.5.  Homework will be to read through the book and complete the Reading Study Guide by Thursday.  We'll also be watching a video describing what chromatography is, how it's done, and some applications. 



Wednesday:  Today we'll be doing a CSI style lab using ink chromatography.  Bring yourself, and any notes you think you'll need to complete the lab.   Need to makeup the lab?  Download the original lab, and use the following links as your evidince.  Exhibit A and Exhibit B part 1 and Exhibit B part 2



Thursday:  The Reading Study Guide was turned in today.  We did the Chromatographic Candies Lab.  We'll need to bring in M&M or Skittles for the lab, if we want to eat any.  I will only bring in enough to complete the lab.

Friday:  No School.

This is a qr barcode:

Extra Credit Opportunity (Online Only)

Reposted.  This offer only valid for a limited time.

Here is an opportunity for extra credit.  I am using an online company called DropBox to easily post and share files online.  DropBox initially gives you only so much space for free, and I need more than what they give.  Fortunately, they have a referral program, and for each person that signs up using my link, I will get more space as well as be notified of who has signed up.

In order to get 10 points extra credit, you need to:

1. Click on the link: http://db.tt/0JaEICh
2. Register as a DropBox user at this link.
3. Download and install the software.
4. Run the software and login using the password you set up in step 2. 

When you complete step 4, DropBox will send me an email notifying me of a new user that I have referred and will let me know the name you registered with.  I'll give you extra credit only if you make it to step 4.

Limited Time Only!

Week of April 11, 2011

Monday:  Have your Reading Study Guide done through 8.2.  Today we continued in our notes by discussing equilibrium constants, and learning what they tell us about a chemical reaction.  Homework will be to complete the worksheet on equilibrium constant problems.

Tuesday:  We began class by working in our groups to get a concensus on the homework.  After that we went over a couple of the tougher problems as a class.  We then continued working with equilibrium constants.  Today's worksheet: equilibrium constant problems 2.  This worksheet was turned in before class was over, or it will be handed in first thing tomorrow.

Wednesday:  Today we discussed Le Chatlier's Princple.  I also did a demo for Le Chatlier's Principle.  If you missed the demo, or want to see it again, you can click here.  There was a handout to help you take notes about the demo.  Homework will be to complete the Le Chatlier's Principle Worksheet. 

Thursday:  Today we will go over the Review in class for Unit 12.  Answers to the review are at this link.  Answers to the RSG are at this link.

Friday:  Today is the Test on Unit 12.  Reading Study Guide for Unit 12, and the Unit 12 Review will be due today.

Week of April 4, 2011

Welcome back from Spring Break!  I hope that everyone had a restfull break, and is ready to come back and learn some more Chemistry!  This week we'll be finishing up Unit 11 by discussing and working with calorimetry.  We'll also be starting Unit 12, Industrial Chemistry.  The test for Unit 12 will be on Friday, April 15th.

Monday:  Today we did a Science Section ACT Practice test.  I also haded out an Intro to Calorimetry problem.  You should have worked for 15-20 min on solving the intro problem.  If you can't solve it, at least work out some logical steps to try and solve it.

Tuesday:  Have your Introduction to Calorimetry ready to go when you walk in.  Remember, you should have spent 15 minutes trying to work on some logic on how to solve the problem.  We started our discussion on Calorimetry today after a group activity solving the introductory problem from Monday. We also got a calorimetry worksheet. 

The following two images show a solution for the Intro to Calorimetry Problem:

If you didn't like the two equation solution, then you could have made one master equation.  My logic for it is seen in the last image for today.

Wednesday:  We did a calorimetry activity in class today to show how specific heat capacity values are calculated.   I also handed out the RSG for Unit 12.  You should begin working on that, with a goal of having it done by Thursday, April 14th.

If you need to do makeup activity (or redo the activity) here's some sample data.  On a blank sheet of paper, neatly show all work for finding the specific heat of the unknown metal. Circle your final answer with units.


Thursday:  Today we did a lab on chemical equilibrium.  I'll post the data that I got in class here.  Note: This is class average data, not individual group data.

Friday:  Today we started notes on Unit 8.1, which introduced the ideas of reversible reactions, chemical equilibirum, and dynamic equilibrium.  We compared our lab results.   You should have your RSG done through chapter 8.2.

Colloidal

Colloidal oatmeal!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Help me Out?

I could use some help here.  Sometimes it is difficult for me to "think like a student."  I need to know how to make this blog useful (more useful) for our use.  Comment to this post (you can do so anonymously if you like), and answer one or several of the following questions:

1. What sorts of things would you like to see as a student on this blog? 
2. Do you see a blog like this as useful for your learning?
3. Is having access to the worksheets/notes useful?
4. Is there anything else constructive you have to add?

Destruction in Japan

ABC put together this webpage so you can compare before and after pictures of the tsunami.  It's absolutely sickening to see how much damage was done.

Week of March 21, 2011

This is the weekly post for Mr. Kane's Conceptual Chemistry.  Here's what we are up to this week:

Monday:  The topic of the day will be specific heat capacity.  We went through the notes (which will be updated electronically on a daily basis this week).  We discussed why substances like water takes so long to heat up (think about Lake Michigan), and why substances like sand can get really hot really quick.  The homework for the evening is to complete the Heat Capacity Worksheet.  The demonstration for the day, was heating a paper cup.

Tuesday: We will checked in our homework, and went over questions.  I passed out more work with specific heat and thermochemistry, which is due tomorrow.

Wednesday: The topic of the day will be heating and cooling curves.  We also did a demonstration that ties in with heat of vaporization that is called superheated steam.  Homework tonight is to complete the heating/cooling curve worksheet. 
EXTRA:  I found the following video on YouTube, and thought I would share it:  Chemistry Music Video 6: Heating Curve. 

Thursday:  Today we got a Review of topics in Unit 11.  Make sure your RSG11 is finished before you walk into class tomorrow, as it will be due along with your review.  Most of class time was spent reviewing.  Answers to the review are in this document.

Friday:  Test on Unit 11.  Have a happy and safe Spring Break everyone.  See you back on Monday April 4.  If you are in class today, you will get an extra credit opportunity for spring break.

Recycling Fundraiser

The LTHS Scholastic Bowl Team is trying to raise funds to purchase a new buzzer board, and practice questions.  They are recycling old cell phones and used ink-jet printer cartridges.  Therefore, I am offering the following extra credit opportunity for 4th quarter:

Bring in a used cell phone for recycling and earn 10 extra credit points for each phone (maximum = 2 phones).

Bring in used ink jet printer cartridges for recylcing and earn 1 point extra credit for each cartridge (maximum = 20 cartridges).

Friday, March 18, 2011

Today we discussed conversion units for different meausres of energy.  We also pointed out the major differences between the words heat, temperature, enthalpy, and kinetic energy. 

The assignment for the weekend was to work on the Energy Conversions worksheet:

An Experiment

This blog is an experiment of mine.  I am going to try and keep it up to date in what remains of the 2010-2011 school year.  My goal is to see how well I can keep something like this going, and what is feasable to do.  I believe that if I work at it each day that I can manage to keep up.

Saint Baldrick's Video and Photos

After raising over $600 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, I have placed photos and a video of the event on my SharePoint site.  My SharePoint is at:  http://sharepoint.lths.org/sitesdir/science/wkane/  You will need your student ID and login to see the pictures and video.