Molecular Structure and Properties: Functional Groups

Students were introduced to the concept of functional groups via the Lesson 33 PowerPoint, the Lesson 33 Worksheet, and the Functional Groups card deck.  Students were assigned textbook questions #3-5 as homework.  A summary of the functional groups contained within the card deck is shown in the picture of the white board below:

Energy, Matter, and Organization: Building Biomolecules

Having watched a video about biomolecules and read about biomolecules, it is time to build biomolecules!  Thanks to a DonorsChoose grant last school year, we have a class set of molecular modeling kits and students used those to work through the first half of the What is the Chemical Nature of Biomolecules packet.  Students learned how to use the molecular modeling kits and then used the components to model molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and ultimately glucose.  We will complete the packet tomorrow, with students modeling how two glucose molecules combine to form a disaccharide, and then they will extend their learning about fatty acids and amino acids.