This was a short day, as we had a two hour delay before it all began. The O section began with my L lesson for yesterday, going over HW 5-6 (10 questions out of the book) concerning the three different bond types (ionic, covalent, and metallic), and then learning about how compounds form from two different elements. This involved a discussion of oxidation numbers, a number given as an exponent, that indicates whether an atom will lose or gain electrons in a chemical reaction. When atoms bond, the oxidation numbers must total zero. This is accomplished by changing the ratio of the atoms. So, for instance, if H (+1) bonds with O (-2), it will take two H atoms (2 x +1 = +2) to negate the O atoms -2. So we get the compound H2O. They worked on a worksheet with this for a while, and then we were sadly done.
The W section had the most fun today, making hydrogen gas as the O section had yesterday. They did a great job, especially with cleanup. I rewarded students who cleaned well with an OWLSbuck, and everyone got one. It is a pleasure to teach students who work so hard and have such respect for the school's property, and my sanity :)
The S section met at the end of the day for a 25 minute period (they are normally 45), and we raced through the HW questions and learned about oxidation numbers. They picked this up superfast, even though I did not have access to my smartboard, teaching on the 7th grade side of the building today. They did sing a nice spanish song to the theme of La Bamba at the beginning of the period. I suspect that it was a challenge of some sort. I noticed that the other teachers in the area closed their doors. This often happens when I teach. Is this a sign of something?
The quiz on Unit 5.1 (25 questions) is tomorrow for the L and O section and Monday for the S and W section. I hope they study!
Sweet justice.
