Mr. English
MHS Science Teacher
denglish@mtsd.us
after school help Wednesday 2:30-3:30 in room E2309, or by appointment
Course Resources: Available via Google Classroom.
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." Carl Sagan
"Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character." Albert Einstein
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller
"Be Safe, Work Hard, Have Fun" Mr. English
Welcome Students. I will be your guide and mentor in learning science. But your success will depend largely on your own active engagement in the scientific process. How carefully do you make observations?How well do you record your observations and communicate them to others? Are you actively reflecting on the meaning of experiments, looking for patterns, collecting evidence to support (or amend) your beliefs about the world? Read again the quotes above by Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein and Helen Keller. These three great thinkers have summarized what it will mean to be a success in chemistry or physics.
All students: Review Parent resources and google classroom frequently for information on upcoming test dates and other assignments, as well as feedback on past activities.
Sign up for the google classroom specific for your course in order to participate in on-line class discussions, and to follow the most up-to-date resource links.
Following is general information about the courses I teacher. For more specific information and resource lists, students should go to their assigned google classrooms.
Information about my courses:
AP chemistry course description (from Rubicon):
AP Chemistry is a laboratory science course that provides an in-depth study of chemistry. It is designed as a first-year college course in chemistry for science majors. The topics covered in the course include the structure and states of matter, chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and descriptive chemistry. Laboratory work emphasizes experiments involving major chemistry concepts and skills, and the subsequent analysis of data and the interpretation and communication of experimental results. The appropriate NJ State and National standards are addressed. This chemistry course will build upon the theme of energy developed in physics, continuing into biology. Due to the increased level of mathematical complexity, additional topics in kinetics, redox reactions, and organic chemistry, and reduction of in-class guided practice, this course receives honor’s weighted credit. A diagnostic assessment and advanced preparation assignment may be provided to students electing to enroll in this course. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Chemistry exam. This course is open to all students. A previous chemistry course is recommended, but not required. This course will require a fundamental understanding of comparison by ratios, proportionality, percentage, scientific notation, operation of exponents, metric conversions and drawing and interpretation of graphs. Students should demonstrate mastery of basic atomic structure, density, measurement, graphing and physical properties prior to enrolling in this course on an assessment administered during the first 2 weeks of the class.
Chemistry course description (from Rubicon)
The Montgomery HS Chemistry program is designed as a laboratory-based course of study that develops a conceptual understanding of core chemistry content using a model-based pedagogy. The curriculum is designed to engage students in gathering evidence related to physical phenomena and use this evidence to justify scientific claims using scientific reasoning. Chemistry requires a fundamental understanding of comparison by ratios, proportionality, percentage, scientific notation, operations of exponents, metric conversions and drawing and interpretation of graphs. The course is structured based on a science learning progression started in Kindergarten (at MTSD) and as detailed in Appendix E of the Next Generation Science Standards.
Like all MHS Science Courses, chemistry is an NCAA approved college-preparatory curriculum aligned to the appropriate NJ Student Learning Standards in Science. Chemistry is the second class in the MHS Physics-Chemistry-Biology course sequence and satisfies the NJ High School Graduation requirement for science laboratory instruction. The chemistry curriculum detailed in this curriculum document is further differentiated for the various learning needs and academic goals of the MHS student population. All students have access to the core content requirements and are able to self-select the level of enrichment via the course scheduling process.
Textbook:
Chemistry, 0-13-054383-7, Prentice Hall, LeMay 2002
Forensics course description (from Rubicon)
The Forensic Science module introduces the student to the science of crime scene investigation. Students will learn to observe, collect, analyze, and evaluate evidence associated with criminal cases. Through scientific reasoning and critical thinking, students will evaluate the use of scientific principles including physics, chemistry and biology as they apply to criminalistics and various phenomena currently being investigated in the field of forensics. The course will also consider ethical and social justice aspects crucial to the implementation of forensic science in society.
Remediation policy: These courses follow the MHS policy. Students wishing to remediate an assignment worth more than 10% of the marking period grade up to a cap score of 50% should contact the instructor within a week of the date when the original score is posted. The remediation should be completed within two weeks of that meeting.
Policies regarding absences and make up work following absences are described in the student handbook.
To contact the high school by phone: (609) 466-7602