Unit 2: Atoms and the Periodic Table builds on the Project-Based Learning lesson outlined in Unit 1: Chemistry and Our World. Unit 3: The Mole goes further in depth.
- Understand the makeup of an atom and isotopes.
- Utilize correct notation for isotopes and nuclear equations for alpha and beta decays and captures.
- Understand movement of electrons in line spectra and the Bohr Model in terms of wavelength, frequency and energy.
- Can demonstrate the location of electrons via Orbital Diagrams and Electron Configurations.
- Classify elements as metals, nonmetal, metalloids, transition metals/elements and inner transition metals/elements and family relationships.
- Able to define atomic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy.
- Relate the periodic trends to pull of the nucleus (Coulombic attraction) to location on the Periodic Table.
| Grade Level | Content | Author |
| 10-12 | Chemistry | Leslie Rhinehart |
- Standards
- Driving Questions
- Duration
- Materials/Apps
- Entry Event
- Public Product
- Assessments
- Project Calendar
- Notes
- About the Author
- About the Fellowship
Standards
NC Essential Standards for Chemistry
- 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3,1.1.4
- 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3
Driving Questions
- What makes up an atom?
- How do chemists use the periodic table?
Duration
1.5 weeks
Materials/Apps
- Goosechase app or paper versions of Goosechases
- Flipgrid app
- A composition notebook
- One gallon bag containing:
- 1 ruler
- 1 wooden block (from Jenga),
- 2 magic markers,
- 1 glue stick,
- Sticky notes (various colors and sizes),
- 1 self-inflating balloon (Whack a Pack – Dollar General),
- 1 sheet of filter paper,
- 3 notecards and 1 paperclip
- A marshmallow model kit (one large, 8 small colored, 7 toothpicks)
- A Makerspace card kit (copper tape – Amazon, diode – Amazon, coin battery – Amazon).
Entry Event
The Goosechase scavenger hunt is conducted after the concepts have been covered and practiced. Within the Goosechase are numerous missions that evaluate the students’ understanding and mastery of concepts learned within the unit through discussion on Flipgrid, hands-on circuit/diode activity, seeking real-life examples and developing group dynamics and social media skills through mixed class Jigsaw project.
Public Product
A portfolio filled with completed missions the student and teacher can both reflect upon the learning and the concepts taught and learned.
Assessments
As the missions are submitted on Goosechase, each mission is graded via a rubric for level of completion. The missions are then summed to give an overall grade for the Goosechase Unit Summative Assessment. Formative Assessments have already been completed in class via activities and quizzes.
Chm. 1.3.2
SOLO: Orbital Diagrams and Electron Configurations
Write electron configurations, including noble gas abbreviations, identify the elements from the electron configuration.
Chm. 1.1.4
SOLO: Changes in the Nucleus?
Use symbolic notation for writing isotopes, distinguish between alpha and beta symbols, write and balance a nuclear equation.
Chm. 1.1.3
SOLO: Light Energy
Relate color, frequency, wavelength and energy of a photon of light. Describe the concepts of excited state, ground state and movement of electrons from excited to ground giving off energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation (visible light in this case).
Chm. 1.1.1
SOLO: Elements
Know and identify atomic number, symbol, atomic mass, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, characteristics of elements.
Ch. 1.3.1, Chm. 1.3.2, Chm. 1.3.3
SOLO: Periodic Questions and Answers
Identify groups/families, valence electrons, similar column properties, column trends of reactivity, melting point, boiling point, 1st ionization energy, electronegativity, radius, identify metals, nonmetals and metalloids, transition metals, inner transition elements, s,p,d and f blocks, general noble gas configurations.
*Group discussion dynamics.
Ch. 1.3.1, Chm. 1.3.2, Chm. 1.3.3
*GROUP: Periodic Families
Identify groups/families, valence electrons, similar column properties, column trends of reactivity, melting point, boiling point, 1st ionization energy, electronegativity, radius, identify metals, nonmetals and metalloids, transition metals, inner transition elements, s,p,d and f blocks, general noble gas configurations.
- Group dynamics
- Slideshow / Voice-overs
- Rubric
Project Calendar
| Day 1 | Open Goosechase app. Students are free to complete at their own pace. Missions are stand alone and can be completed in any order. |
| Day 2 | Leaderboards can be monitored to see progress of students and their work. Missions can be observed individually through submissions to monitor for technology errors, such as no sound on video. Students can be notified so corrections to videos can be made. Same for pictures that are too blurry or too dark. |
| Day 3 | Leaderboards can be monitored to see progress of students and their work. Missions can be observed individually through submissions to monitor for technology errors, such as no sound on video. Students can be notified so corrections to videos can be made. Same for pictures that are too blurry or too dark. |
| Day 4 – 7 | Leaderboards can be monitored to see progress of students and their work. Missions can be observed individually through submissions to monitor for technology errors, such as no sound on video. Students can be notified so corrections to videos can be made. Same for pictures that are too blurry or too dark. The leaderboard allows the students to self-monitor their progress. Teacher can monitor and prod those that are seemingly behind. |
| Day 8: | Goosechase ends and rubrics are used to evaluate the products made by the students. |
Notes
*The LAST Mission was assigned OUTSIDE of the Goosechase app through Google Classroom ONE WEEK PRIOR to starting the Goosechase. This gives the students one week to complete and share their finished Periodic Family slideshow with VOICE-OVERS (to make the presentation stand alone). This product has its own grading rubric for each member (not a total group grade).
Baggie contents can be whatever you have available. Since my students were in-person and remote, I gathered materials for a once a semester distribution. If all in-person, your missions and activities could encompass in-class time and resources.
Goosechase for Educators does have a cost, but is much more reasonable than their usual fee and was worth the cost for the ease of use for both students and myself.
About the Author
Leslie Rhinehart, a 2020-21 Kenan Fellow, has been teaching high school chemistry for 17 years. She has a B.S. in chemistry from UNC-Asheville, and a masters degree in Organometallic Analytical Chemistry from UNC-Charlotte. She loves teaching and sharing her passion for chemistry and science.
About the Fellowship
Leslie Rhinehart interned with Eaton Industries in Forest City, NC, and her fellowship was supported by Facebook.