Lesson plan

What is an Atom?

Students will model the basic composition of an atom and charges related to each particle.

Grades 6–8Chemistry & Matter
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Overview

Students learn the structure of atoms and how to determine their composition. The lesson starts with the question of the smallest object they can think of, with answers collected on Socrative. Groups then watch a video, research an assigned element, and build a paper plate atom model showing protons, neutrons, and electrons. A slideshow and a TED-Ed video on the history of the atom follow. Students use a PhET simulation to build atoms, and learn to identify an element by its protons, calculate neutrons from atomic mass, and find electron counts for neutral atoms and ions. A multiple-choice assessment and a Build an Atom activity close the lesson.

Lesson Objectives

  • Tell the basic compositions of an atom and the charges related with each particle. (Proton +, Neutron (No charge) and Electron (-))
  • Explain that atoms is the smallest part of all things that has a specific characteristic.
  • Identify the element based on the number of Protons present in each element.
  • Calculate the number of Neutrons in an element based on the Atomic mass of the element.
  • Calculate the number of electrons an element must have to be in its base state or for a positive and negative ions.

Standards

NGSS · 3

  • MS-PS1-1Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
  • MS-PS1-4Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
  • MS-PS3-5Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

CCSS Math · 4

  • MP2Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  • MP4Model with mathematics.
  • 6.RP.A.3Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
  • 8.EE.A.3Use numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times an integer power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities, and to express how many times as much one is than the other.

CCSS ELA · 2

  • SL.11-12.1.aCome to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
  • RST.6-8.7Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).