Project TELL Unit/Lesson Plans

Areas with an asterisk (*) are required; all other areas are recommended. Template Description
                         

Unit title*	pH Rainbow:  Using common plants as acid-base indicators
Subject area*	Chemistry
Secondary subject	Technology
Grade*	High School / 11 & 12
Duration/time*	5 (1-hour) class periods
Overview*	Using the internet, students will research acid-base indicators.  Working in groups, students will prepare their own acid-base indicators from the plant of their choice and develop a color pH scale.  Students will present their results in PowerPoint.
Technology overview* click on level for description	Level 1: Students will access information.  Students will research the use of plants as acid-base indicators on the Internet. Level 2: Students will collect data for research. Students will use their natural indicator to establish a color pH scale. Students will use digital cameras to record color results. Students will use pH meters and probes to establish numerical pH readings. Level 3: Students will analyze information. Students will correlate color changes with specific numerical pH values from CBL probes. Level 4: Students will synthesize and communicate information. Students will present their project results to the class via a PowerPoint presentation.
Focus questions*	How do we describe the strengths of acids and bases, using both qualitative and quantitative scales? What plants and other natural substances can be used as color-changing acid-base indicators? What range of pH values can be measured with a particular indicator?
Content standards and benchmarks* (Mastery)	SCI.HS.I.1.2  Design and conduct scientific investigations. SCI.HS.I.1.4  Gather and synthesize information from books and other sources of information.
Content standards and benchmarks* (Secondary)	SCI.HS.IV.2.1  Explain chemical changes in terms of the breaking of bonds and the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances.
Technology standards and benchmarks* (Mastery)	3.2   Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works. 5.1   Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Technology standards and benchmarks* (Secondary)	3.1  Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Resources*	Materials: pH meters, pH probes, computers, digital camera, plants, various household acids and bases. Web resources.
Lesson Plan(s)*	Activity 1: Web Research   Activity 2: Design an Experiment   Activity 3:  PowerPoint Presentations
Example student materials
Assessment*	http://rubistar.4teachers.org/   (PowerPoint rubric)
Reflection
Home activities	Students may use their natural indicator at home to test the pH of other household products.
Credits	Lynn Thomas Escanaba Public High School, 500 S. Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829    lthomas@dsisd.k12.mi.us Gregory Libby Escanaba Public High School, 500 S. Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI  49829 glibby@dsisd.k12.mi.us