Virginia Department of Education
Solution Concentrations
What happens when you combine 6.022 times 10 to the 23 piles of dirt into one? You make a mountain out of a mole hill. Scholars use dehydration to obtain percent composition and then calculate the molarity of the original...
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Atomic Structure and Ionic Bonding (A Visual Approach)
Using toothpicks, marshmallows, and round colored sticky dots, physical science enthusiasts build models of an atomic nucleus. In this eighth grade chemistry lesson plan, they play an atom-naming game with the models that they have...
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Metals for Minting
Students study the Periodic Table to investigate basic properties of metals used to make coins. They discuss how historic events like the Civil War and Gold Rush had a direct impact on the trime.
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Periodic Table
Students identify the periodic table trends and predict material properties. They also design and conduct simple experiments and test material properties. Finally, students compare and contrast material properties and that chemical...
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Element Project
Ninth graders review and discuss the Periodic table and its 53 elements. They choose one element to become an expert on and then create a written Report in the form of a poster about their choosen element to be presented to the class.
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Your Body's Building Blocks
Students study the elements of the Periodic Table as they relate to the building blocks of the body. They experiment to measure the amount of iron in the body.
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Atoms, Kinetic Theory, Solids and Fluids
Pupils identify and describe the building blocks that make up an atom. They also compare the ages of atoms to the ages of the materials they compose,as well as, give examples that illustrate the small size of atoms.
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"Charlotte's Web" - Transfer of Learning Across the Curriculum: From Literature to Science
Young scholars research and write about the parts of a spider's body using educational software. They draw spiders using computer software.
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Let Us Bond Together
Fourth graders paricipate in a demonstration about bond strengths and bond types.
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Halogens
Students identify the elements that belong to the halogen family on the periodic table. In this chemistry instructional activity, students describe the common characteristics of elements in this group. They research about hydrochloric...
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The Noble Gases
Students identify the different elements that belong to the Noble Gas family. In this chemistry lesson plan, students design a neon sign. They research how they are made and share their work with the class.
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Mass Spectrometer
In this mass spectrometer worksheet, students read about how a mass spectrometer determines the elements in gases around Earth. Students answer 3 questions and identify the elements in a graph found by a mass spectrometer.
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Edible Atom/Molecule
Upcoming chemists construct atom or molecule models out of candy. This is a classic idea that learners really enjoy; however, this lesson plan is vague. There is no instruction about the structure of atoms or molecules. Make sure you...
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Alkali Metals
Students explore the unique properties of alkali metals. In this chemistry lesson, students create a mural of fireworks display after researching its different element components. They write a brief description about an alkali metal used...
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Ionic Chemical Formulas Days 1 & 2
Learners study polyatomic ions and write binary and ternary ionic chemical formulas. They explore putting together different monatomic ions and coming up with as many chemical formulas as possible. They play a game similar to memory...
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Speeding up the Fizz
Students investigate temperature and chemical reactions. They explore the effect of temperature and particle size has on the rate of a simple chemical reaction. In addition, they graph their results and answer assessment questions.
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Semiconductors
Students investigate the properites of a semiconductor device known as a diode. They recognize a diode as a one way conducting device. They describe alternating current and the use of a diode to convert it to direct current. Students...
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Hydrogen Powered Cars
Students apply the principles of chemistry to investigate the concept of how a hydrogen powered car works. They study the electrochemical reactions that provide the energy source. Students also record observations in the functioning of a...
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Mining an Ore
Students investigate how to determine the percent composition of a mineral in an ore. For this mining an ore lesson plan, students use chocolate chips cookies to represent an ore and they remove precious minerals (the chocolate chips)...
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What is an Atom?
Third graders understand that the smallest particle is an atom. In this matter lesson, 3rd graders make a piece of aluminum smaller and smaller to see that what's left is still aluminum. Students recognize that cutting into smaller...
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Chemical Formulas
Students assess how to go from writing ionic chemical formulas to nomenclature and naming chemical compounds. They brainstorm former studies and share their thoughts in small groups. A list of everyday products (shampoos, toothpaste,...
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Ion (Derstand) Bonding through Energy Level Diagrams
Ninth graders investigate ionic bonding through energy level diagrams. In this ion bonding lesson plan, 9th graders observe demonstrations to show energy level diagrams using magnets to represent the subatomic particles. Students fill...
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Combating Corrosion
Students perform an experiment to show the chemical reactions that occur when metal corrodes. They apply the results of the experiment to the conservation efforts of art curators trying to restore an ancient Greek bronze. This...
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CAN'T TOUCH THIS!
Students discover the best practical shielding material when dealing with radioactive substances. They draw conclusions based on availability of materials, price, and best shielding properties.