Unit title

Unit title*

INVESTIGATING THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

Subject area*

Science

Technology

2-4 weeks

In the periodic table webquest unit, students will use teacher-selected websites to learn and practice key concepts related to atoms, elements, and using the periodic table. The unit consists not only of internet activities, but also lesson plans for the traditional classroom, developing PowerPoint presentations, and making iMovies. Students will learn about element and atomic structure, reading and interpreting the periodic table of elements, including information about the families and groups of elements contained in the periodic table. Students will perform internet-based research on an element from the periodic table. The research will be used to design a children’s story appropriate for upper elementary level. The research will then be used to develop a PowerPoint presentation on the element. Finally as a culminating activity, students will be assigned groups to present a video on the characteristics of a family of elements.

Technology overview*

click on level for description

Level 1: Students will access information.

Students will use a Webquest to find information about the periodic table and specific elements.

Level 2: Students will collect data for research.

Students will save links to images and take notes on the information as they do the Webquest.

Level 3: Students will analyze information.

Students will sort and prioritize information, saving only that information and those images that will help them respond to the focus questions.

Level 4: Students will synthesize and communicate information.

Students will create a book, a Power Point presentation, and an i-Movie skit about their element to use to teach younger students.

Focus questions*

1. How is the element structured including presence of subatomic particles?

2. What are the elemental properties of the element?

3. How can atomic mass and number be determined when given information about the structure of an element?

4. What is the history of the element including its pure form, physical state at room temperature, common uses in nature, etc?

5. What compounds, if any, can be made and how do we use them in our daily lives?

6. What are the different physical and chemical properties of the different element groups and families?

Content standards and benchmarks*

(Mastery)

SCI. I. 1. HS. 4 Collect and synthesize information from books and other sources of information.

SCI. IV. 1. HS. 2 Identify properties of common families of elements.

SCI. IV. 1. HS.3 Explain how elements differ in terms of the structural parts and electrical charges of atoms.

Content standards and benchmarks*

(Secondary)

SCI. IV. 1 HS. 1 Analyze properties of common household and agricultural materials in terms of risk/benefit balance.

Technology standards and benchmarks*

(Mastery)

T 3. MS. 5 Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum.

T 4. MS. 6 Design develops, publish, and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom.

T 4. HS. 10; T 5. HS. 10 Collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce, and disseminate information, models, and other creative, works.

Technology standards and benchmarks*

(Secondary)

T 6. MS. 5 Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum.

T 6. MS. 6 Design develops, publish, and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom.

T 6. HS. 10 Collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce and disseminate information, models, and other creative works.

Resources*

Lesson Plan(s)*

Lesson 1: Element Webquest Adventure

Lesson 1: Data Required

Lesson 1: Rubric

Lesson 2: 3-D Model of Element

Lesson 3: PowerPoint Presentation

Lesson 3: Rubric

Lesson 4: Small Group Video Presentations

Lesson 4: Rubric

Example student materials

Assessment*

A rubric is used for grading the element webquest adventure.

A PowerPoint rubric is used to assess this project.

An iMovie rubric is used to assess the presentation.

A great site that allows you to easily create assessment rubrics is: http://teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/presentation/

Reflection

Students working together through this process can take the information and make it appealing. Students are able to work together with an idea that has grown from all their ideas put together and combine them into exceptional presentations.

Home activities

Have students do their own search for information and create their book at home on their own computer using greeting card programs or PowerPoint or other editing software.

Credits

Sue Malenfant; smalenfant@dsisd.k12.mi.us
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html