Chemistry with Mr. Goff

I am sorry for missing the end of the week update here last week. We are moving along in our first unit, so there are a few things to be aware of:

1. I am slowly adding grades and credits to the grade book for students this week. I already have students asking me about missing assignments, which is great. Since the grade book is not completely updated, there is no need to panic over anything. Just come talk to me

2. We have a test on Friday, September 29th. This includes everything we have worked on this year (including modeling, measuring, writing procedures). Students should have plenty of notes from our discussions and Chem Catalysts (bell work) to study from. I will not be giving a study guide for this exam.

If you need to print out a syllabus, here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xxg5fGbIABjzdyIef4Hzz7qG9yL0NCDxXNKL5adrCE0/edit?usp=sharing

If you would like to print and sign the safety contract, here is the link:
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/80efae9513b548d6999c31d38ac36abe

The students are settling into routines in the chemistry classroom and we have begun our first official unit on Measurement and Engineering. Students should have brought home the syllabus to read together with parents/guardians. The final page of this syllabus needs to be signed and returned to me (Mr. Goff).

We began an engineering challenge to try and place a hard boiled egg into an Erlenmeyer flask (the honors students will perform this lab next week). We will use this shared experience to talk about lab safety as well as the scientific phenomenon. Please look for a lab safety contract to come home next week to be signed as well.

I am sorry for the multiple pages to sign, but as a chemistry classroom, we need to take safety very seriously. Any students who do not return a signed contract will be unable to participate in the lab. Students who do not participate in labs will be given other assignments. If you have questions, or specific safety requests. please email me.

On Tuesday, I will hand out a syllabus for the students to take home and read with their parent/guardian. The last page is to be signed and returned to Mr. Goff by the end of the week.

If you would like a preview of the syllabus before Tuesday, below is a link to the Google Doc for the syllabus. This is a living document and will be updated throughout the year. Any major changes will be announced on this blog.

https://docs.google.com/a/dearbornschools.org/document/d/1Xxg5fGbIABjzdyIef4Hzz7qG9yL0NCDxXNKL5adrCE0/edit?usp=sharing

I know that the first week of school can be hectic and chemistry can be a challenging new subject to study. In this first week, the student’s and I focused on a few goals that I hope will continue throughout the school year.

1. Get to know one another.
2. Establish some common norms for our class.
3. Share in observing scientific phenomena (this week we focused on fire and candle flames).

The norms that the students discussed are the following:

1. You are responsible for your own learning.
2. Respect your right and other’s right to learn.
3. Active participation and collaboration.
4. Bring all materials to class.
5. Utilize all class activities appropriately.

These were discussed at length by the students and will be re-addressed as needed during the year. The norms will also be included in the syllabus (to be distributed during the second week).