Today we worked on the problems that Joshua had difficulty with in AP Classroom. These were difficult problems. They took a lot of higher order thinking (for me too!). We were able to get to the solutions and solidify our understanding. We practiced using our calculator to solve difficult equations. We also got practice using properties to simplify.
I have assigned a comparative essay for the final exam. As such, today, I discussed and placed on the board an outline to guide Joshua in writing a comparison of two anti-war novels, "A Farewell to Arms" and "The Things they Carried." After I provided suggestions for the introduction, Joshua worked on formulating a thesis based on the essay prompt. We then outlined the body of the essay focusing first on O"Brien's definition of a "true war story" to be followed by an analysis of whether "A Farewell to Arms' fits O'Brien's definition. Last, I proposed a conclusion that addressed whose approach best captures the experience of war, O'Brien's or Hemmingway's.
Perform lab activity to Determine the water of hydration of a compound. From the measured results, determine the water of hydration experimentally and compare it to the actual. Introduce the concept of chemical reactions stopping and elicit some reasons why they will stop. Form the equation for a typical reaction between sulfur and chlorine, indicating the products formed and balance the equation. From a given amount of each reactant, determine which reactant based on mole ratio will become the limiting reactant to the reaction.
As Joshua has finished reading the novel, we today began our final analysis first exploring scenes in the novel that are reminiscent of Hemingway's "Farewell to Arms" ,also a war novel. We discussed areas that were both stylistically and thematically quite similar. We then expanded on our study of the author's view on the purpose of "war fiction." I reviewed the prior lessons on "story truth" vs .historical truth" and then we discussed how the novel's ending offers another purpose -to bring the dead to life again through imagination and thus perhaps rescue the writer from loss, pain ,and guilt. We noted how the novel resurrects many of the deceased characters and began a study of whether Hemingway or O'Brien best conveys the war experience.
Review HW questions and correct where needed. Define hydrate, hydrous, anhydrate, and anhydrous. Use a diagram to show how polar water molecules will bind to positive and negative ions in solution, forming a water of crystallization. Outline how to determine the water of hydration experimentally. Present a problem which requires determination of the water of hydration given some basic experimental facts.
