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Reflection: This lesson was designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. At the same time it incorporates technology into the science curriculum. The goal was to introduce students to an atomic bonding. Atomic bonding is a very abstract concept that students often have difficulty grasping because you can not physically observe it happening in the classroom. Yet, atomic bonding is occurring all around us, all the time. Therefore, I began this lesson by introducing some basic concepts about atomic bonding through a whole class discussion and then divided the class into homogenous groups according to ability. The higher ability groups worked through a self directed activity on atomic bonding while the lower ability groups had more one on one time with me. By dividing the class into groups according to ability it afforded me the opportunity to work on a more individual bases with the students who were going to have a more difficult time with this abstract concept. Utilizing a variety of teaching strategies in this lesson also created a safe environment for those students who had more difficulty to ask questions. While at the same time allowing the higher ability groups to explore the same concepts but work at a quicker pace and at a different level of difficulty. This lesson was very effective. As I moved from group to group I was able to unpackage prior knowledge on an individual level and link the new concepts to that prior knowledge. Also through the direct interaction with individual students I was able to clarify any misconceptions that students had in regards to bonding. The use of homogeneous as well as heterogeneous flex groups would be a strategy that I would incorporate in future lessons.
Title: Atomic Bonding (Ionic and Covalent)
Class: Contemporary Science, 9th Grade Applied
Duration: 80-90 minutes
Objectives:
 Students will be able to define ionic bonding.
 Students will be able to describe a positively and negatively charged ion.
 Students will be able to define covalent bonding.
 Students will be able to apply the 2-8-8 rule.
 Students will be able to calculate net charges.
 Students will be able to define compounds.
Assessment:
 Formal: Students will hand in a definition of covalent bond, ionic bond, compounds and the equation
 Informal: Completion of atomic bonding exercises in guided notes, questions and answers.
PA Standards:
 3.1.10C Apply patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology.
 3.1.10 E Describe patterns of change in nature, physical and man made systems
 3.4.10 A Explain concepts about structure and properties of matter
Material:
 Guided Notes
 Chemistry Trivia Questions
Warm Up:
 Students are asked to answer the chemistry trivia question on a piece of paper.
 The trivia questions will be on written on the board.
 CH4 is the chemical formula for Methane. How many carbon atoms are there in one molecule?
 Which of the following elements have the highest number of electrons: Hydrogen, Magnesium, or Oxygen.
 Students will hand in the trivia questions for a two-point bonus.
Procedure:
 Begin with the trivia questions
 Lead a whole class discussion with the use of guided notes on the topic of:Why do Atoms Bond?
2-8-8 Rule
 Divide the class into homogenous pair share groups according to ability.
 Higher ability Pair share groups of will log on to the web site: www.chem4kids.com . At this site students will explore the following topics: Ionic Bonding and Covalent Bonding. Students will describe ionic bonding by drawing the bond between Sodium and Fluorine as well as calculating net charge in their guided notes. Students will describe covalent bonding by drawing the bond between two Hydrogen atoms and calculating net charge in their guided notes. Students will describe compounds by drawing the bond between carbon and hydrogen in the compound methane in their guided notes. Students will then complete the on-line quiz.
 Lower ability pair share groups will first participate in a large group discussion lead by the teacher on ionic bonding, covalent bonding and compounds. Students will then break into their pair share groups and draw an example of an ionic bond, a covalent bond and a compound. Then students will log on to www.chem4kids.com where they will read and complete their guided notes on the concept of ionic bonding, covalent bonding and compounds.
 Regroups the students for a whole class discussion on:
 Ionic Bonding
Have students describe the ionic bonding between Sodium and Chloride through drawing of the bond and a calculation of the net charge
 Covalent Bonding
Have students describe the covalent bond carbon and oxygen in Carbon dioxide through a drawing and calculation of the net charge
 Compounds
Have students describe compounds through drawing and calculating net charge of water
Closure:
On a piece of paper each students will define ionic bonds, covalent bonds and compounds. Students will
also write down the equation for calculating net charge.
Key Questions:
 What is an ionic bond?
 What is a covalent bond?
 What is a compound?
 How do you calculate net charge?
 How do you draw or depict an ionic bond?
 How do you draw or depict a covalent bond?
Extension Activity:
Atomic Bonding Practice:
 Students are asked to draw the atomic bonding between the following elements:KOH, Cl2, HCl
 Students must show calculations for net charge
 Students must identify if the atomic bonding is ionic or covalent
References:
 Masterton, W. & Hurley, C. (1997). Chemistry Principles and Reactions( 3 rd ed) . Orlando, Fl: Suanders College Publishing.
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