Teaching Introductory Chemistry

Introductory Chemistry Day-By-Day Walkthrough

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Introductory Chemistry Unit

Day 1:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Chemists Know. An excellent ‘Let It Go’ Parady from the University of California

– I followed my discussion with a quick introduction on my Introductory Chemistry Unit. Click here to have a look at what I’ll be covering.

– We then completed Lesson 1 – Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes

– To finish up the lesson, I did a Methane Bubbles Demonstration. CLICK HERE to read more about it and please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. They aren’t for the faint of heart, but they are safe and SPECTACULAR!

Homework: Students are to complete the Physical and Chemical Properties Handout which requires them to do a little research to fill in the definition of various properties such as Viscosity, Density, etc.

Day 2:

Today we completed a physical/chemical change lab which built on our lesson from last day. In it, the students performed a variety of reactions and wrote down their observations. For most of these students, this was their first real science lab so I started by talking about lab safety; wearing goggles, no sitting, no messing around, etc. I then described what the groups would be doing at each station and that they would only be at each one for about 5 minutes then would switch to the next.

The key to labs I find is keeping everyone calm and on task. It can be a big deal doing a lab and kids get excited when they are dealing with chemicals. Providing clear instructions and maintaining order during the lab will go a long way to a successful day. If you would like to download a copy of the lab, click here –> Physical and Chemical Changes Lab

Homework: There is a written component to the lab which needs to be submitted in 2 days. Please see the Physical and Chemical Changes Lab outline for details.

Day 3:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – The Density Song. This is a fun video put on by Mr. Edmonds who has a whole channel devoted to these kinds of videos. They are fun and entertaining and will certainly drive the equation of density home! 

– We then completed Lesson 2 – Density Day 1

– With the remaining time, students were to start their homework – Density calculations worksheet and answers

Homework: Students were to finish – Density calculations worksheet and answers

Day 4:

– Today we completed Lesson 2 – Density Day 2

Homework: Students were finish – Density calculations worksheet and answers

Day 5:

Today we got right into our Density Lab. The purpose of the lab is to get the kids looking how different objects behave in water. This lab can be downloaded HERE –> Density Lab and is meant as an accompanying activity to Lesson 2 – Density.

Homework: The Density Lab is to be completed and submitted in 2 days. For the submission, students need to retype their observation table and answer the questions at the bottom of the page.

Day 6:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – 50 Science Misconceptions Dispelled. This is a fun video put on by Mr. Edmonds who has a whole channel devoted to these kinds of videos. They are fun and entertaining and will certainly drive the equation of density home! 

– We then completed Lesson 6 – Atomic Theory and Model

– With the remaining time, students were to start their homework – Models of the atom

Homework: Students were to review and summarize Lesson 4 – The Particle Theory Of Matter. They are responsible for the information for their test. Next day we will take up the lesson but will spend most of our time working through the homework together. This is generally how I do my flipped lessons and find it very successful.

Day 7:

Today’s class began with a quiz on Lessons 1-6 which took 25 minutes.

– We then started Lesson 7 – Atomic Structure and Notation

 

– It’s a difficult concept for first-time learners so we took it very slow and only got through about half the lesson. Tomorrow we will finish it then begin with the Bohr atom.

Day 8:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Does Being Cold Make You Sick? – An ASAP Science look at catching a cold in the cold. 

– We then completed Lesson 7 – Atomic Structure and Notation

 

– Once we had completed the lesson, I gave them 10 minutes to start their homework – Subatomic particles Worksheet

– To end the class, I introduced the Bohr-Rutherford atom and did a few examples. Lastly, I got them to fill out a note so that when they arrived tomorrow, we’d be all set to get right into it – Bohr-Rutherford Diagrams overview (teacher version) and Bohr-Rutherford Diagrams overview student

Day 9:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – What Will Humans Be Like In 1000 Years? – An ASAP Science look into the future.

– To begin we took up the homework Subatomic particles Worksheet

– Today’s class was all about Bohr-Rutherford diagram practice. We played Bohr War which is exactly like the card game war, only you use Bohr-Rutherford diagrams instead of playing cards. I get my kids to draw the first 16, cut them out and then play each other in 2-minute shifts. After 2 minutes, they switch partners and keep going. If they lose their cards, they may sit and create a new set then get back into the game.
 

Day 10:

– Today’s activity was engaging and got the kids moving around, working collaboratively and learning while they were being assessed. Today we did my Atomic Model, Notation, and Atoms Lab Station Activity. Each station offers a unique opportunity to test your students knowledge (offer an opinion, answer questions based on a video or reading, draw, etc.), but also provides a fantastic learning opportunity where your kids are learning through assessment. Each station comes with a description card while some also contain more detailed instructions, a reading, questions to answer, etc. Students are equipped with a recording sheet (passport) to write their answers. The prep is simple and is the marking. Usually I choose 2-3 questions from the passport to answer and that’s it. Takes me 20 minutes to mark a class worth of lab reports. 

Day 11:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – The Periodic Table Song by ASAP Science.

– Today we started Lesson 7 – The Periodic Table

Homework: Students are to complete the Periodic Table Worksheet

Day 12:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – The 9 Best Scientific Study Tips. 

– Today we completed Lesson 7 – The Periodic Table

Homework: No homework tonight. Next day we will be working on a periodic table web quest.

Day 13:

– Today we were in the computer lab and began the Periodic Table Webquest and element assignment which will be due in a week’s time. 

Homework: Homework will be to work on the Periodic Table Webquest and element assignment

Day 14:

– Today’s class started with my favorite activity – Periodic Table Puns by Science Spot. You can access the worksheet by CLICKING HERE and the answer key by CLICKING HERE. It’s a fantastic way to get your students into the lesson

– After we finished with the puns, we started Lesson 8 – Ions. It’s a difficult lesson so I like to break it into two parts. We will finish the lesson next day.

Homework: No homework.

Day 15:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Barbequeing Steak With Chemistry. 

– Today we completed Lesson 8 – Ions. It’s a difficult lesson so I took the second half really slow.

Homework: Ion Worksheet

Day 16:

Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Hydrophobic Sand. 

– Today started with the Gas Tests demonstration. In this demonstration, I show them how to find the presence of Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide. It’s a fun demo and I usually bring a student up to the front to help me out. 

– Our focus for today was Lesson 9 – Chemical Symbols, Formulas and Compounds. 

Homework: The chemistry test is fast approaching so that’s what the students are focusing on.

Day 17:

– The focus for today was review so I had my students complete my Periodic Table Task Card Activity (~25 minutes) we then discussed the upcoming test and they had some time to review. 

Homework: The chemistry test is fast approaching so that’s what the students are focusing on.

Introductory Chemistry Unit

Day 18:

Test Day. The test I use along with the answer key can be found in my Introductory Chemistry Unit. Click here to have a look.