Lesson Descriptions
Day 1 - Subatomic Particles: Opening the unit, the students will investigate the different properties of subatomic particles, as well as, discover the differences between atoms, ions, and isotopes. The students will be building their own models of an atom using the "Build an Atom" PhET simulation provided by the University of Colorado. In addition, the students will be completing an activity on isotopes using the "Isotopes and Atomic Mass" PhET simulation.
Day 2 - Introduction to the Periodic Table: Although this lesson plan is not provided in this outline of the unit, an additional day was needed to introduce the periodic table to the students. On this day, students will investigate the structure and format of the periodic table, learning how and why atomic numbers were assigned. This day involves a lot of student-lead work so that the students can become acquainted with the periodic table.
Day 3 - Periodic Table Trends: Day 2 of this lesson not only introduces students to the periodic table, but it sets the stage for day 3 of this unit. On day 3, students will be designing their own experiment within groups to test the periodic table trends. The students will be given a prompt telling them that they have been chosen by a University to design an experiment for a research lab. This lesson incorporates guided inquiry and the scientific method to help student uncover the hidden secrets of the periodic table: atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity.
Day 4 - Electron Orbitals: Once again, this lesson is not provided in the outline of this unit. In order for students to make the transition between subatomic particles and periodic table trends to the introduction to bonding, students must first be able to describe electron orbitals. Students will investigate different atomic orbitals and relate the shapes of these orbitals to the periodic table, connecting to day 3 of this sub-unit. Inserting this lesson will give students the extra knowledge that is needed to begin introducing them to the wonderful world of chemical bonds!
Day 5 - Introduction to Ionic Bonding Lab: Day 5 of this sub-unit is one of my favorites--students will be conducting an experiment involving salt, a string, and some fire. (Because everything could use a little heat, right?) Students will predict the outcome of the experiment and then be shocked and amazed to what they observe. This lesson will increase the students' ability to create an explanation for the phenomenon that they see, and then support that claim with evidence.
Day 6 - Overview of Bonding: The next sub-unit in this outline highlights the properties of molecules. To set the stage for the students, they must first have a basic knowledge of the different types of chemical bonds and the differences between them. This day does not have a lesson plan provided in this outline, but the structure of the classroom should focus on the investigation of different types of chemical bonds. In addition, many of the concepts involved with bonding have been previously taught in this sub-unit so students will be able to make connections between chemical bonding and what they have already learned.
Day 7 - Atoms and the Periodic Table Assessment: On the seventh day of this sub-unit, students will be taking a formal investigation on atoms and the different aspects of the periodic table. The assessment will include many questions where students have to draw a model, and it will also have an even balance of questions the students must write out. Bonding will be assessed in the following sub-unit as it correlates more closely with the topics addressed in the next outline.
Day 2 - Introduction to the Periodic Table: Although this lesson plan is not provided in this outline of the unit, an additional day was needed to introduce the periodic table to the students. On this day, students will investigate the structure and format of the periodic table, learning how and why atomic numbers were assigned. This day involves a lot of student-lead work so that the students can become acquainted with the periodic table.
Day 3 - Periodic Table Trends: Day 2 of this lesson not only introduces students to the periodic table, but it sets the stage for day 3 of this unit. On day 3, students will be designing their own experiment within groups to test the periodic table trends. The students will be given a prompt telling them that they have been chosen by a University to design an experiment for a research lab. This lesson incorporates guided inquiry and the scientific method to help student uncover the hidden secrets of the periodic table: atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity.
Day 4 - Electron Orbitals: Once again, this lesson is not provided in the outline of this unit. In order for students to make the transition between subatomic particles and periodic table trends to the introduction to bonding, students must first be able to describe electron orbitals. Students will investigate different atomic orbitals and relate the shapes of these orbitals to the periodic table, connecting to day 3 of this sub-unit. Inserting this lesson will give students the extra knowledge that is needed to begin introducing them to the wonderful world of chemical bonds!
Day 5 - Introduction to Ionic Bonding Lab: Day 5 of this sub-unit is one of my favorites--students will be conducting an experiment involving salt, a string, and some fire. (Because everything could use a little heat, right?) Students will predict the outcome of the experiment and then be shocked and amazed to what they observe. This lesson will increase the students' ability to create an explanation for the phenomenon that they see, and then support that claim with evidence.
Day 6 - Overview of Bonding: The next sub-unit in this outline highlights the properties of molecules. To set the stage for the students, they must first have a basic knowledge of the different types of chemical bonds and the differences between them. This day does not have a lesson plan provided in this outline, but the structure of the classroom should focus on the investigation of different types of chemical bonds. In addition, many of the concepts involved with bonding have been previously taught in this sub-unit so students will be able to make connections between chemical bonding and what they have already learned.
Day 7 - Atoms and the Periodic Table Assessment: On the seventh day of this sub-unit, students will be taking a formal investigation on atoms and the different aspects of the periodic table. The assessment will include many questions where students have to draw a model, and it will also have an even balance of questions the students must write out. Bonding will be assessed in the following sub-unit as it correlates more closely with the topics addressed in the next outline.