Italicized font represents information to be shared orally or physically completed with the students at this time.

The non-italicized font represents additional information included to support the teacher’s understanding of the content being introduced within the CELL.

ASK WHY

Remind students that it is important to know about atoms because atoms are the building blocks of matter. We use our knowledge of atoms to explain the properties of matter, understand and manipulate matter and, ultimately, the world around us. 

BRANCH OUT

Remind students that knowledge of basic atomic structure has been used in many modern medical applications; radiation therapy for cancer and in medical imaging which can trace the damage caused by a heart attack. 

GET FOCUSED

Inform students that the Investigation is designed to help them to answer the following Focus Questions:

• What is an element? Elements are substances that cannot be broken down into smaller components through chemical reactions.

• What is the Periodic Table of Elements? The Periodic Table of the Elements is a table that organizes elements according to their physical and chemical properties.

• How is the Periodic Table of Elements arranged? Elements with similar physical and chemical properties are grouped together on the table.

Note: These questions are located in students’  SDRs at the beginning and end of the Investigation.

Note: These are succinct responses to the Focus Questions and are placed here for your reference at this time. Fully developed responses to the Focus Questions can be found on the PostLab page.

GO DEEPER

As a class, read the Background(s) in the Investigation. Have students read the information aloud or silently to themselves. When students have finished, discuss the following concepts as a class:

• Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass.
• In its simplest form, matter is made up of elements.
• Elements are substances that cannot be broken down into smaller components through chemical reactions.
• The Periodic Table of the Elements organizes elements according to their physical and chemical properties.
• Elements with similar physical and chemical properties are grouped together on the table.
• Each element has a name and a one, two, or three-letter symbol.
• Each element’s atomic number is located at the top of its box.
• Each element’s atomic mass is located at the bottom of its box.
• The Periodic Table has 18 vertical columns called groups.
• The Periodic Table has seven horizontal rows called periods.

Note: These concepts are integrated into the Background(s) and are used to deepen students’ comprehension of the big ideas.

LEARN THE LabLearner LINGO

The following list includes Key Terms that are introduced in the Investigation Background(s). They should be used, as appropriate, by teachers and students during everyday classroom discourse.

• matter
• element
• Periodic Table of the Elements
• atomic number
• atomic mass
• groups
• periods

Note: Definitions to these terms can be found on the Introduction page to the CELL.

Note: Additional words may be bolded within the Background(s). These words are not Key Terms and are strictly emphasized for exposure at this time.

SET FOR SUCCESS

• Direct students to complete the Recall section in their SDRs. Student answers may vary.
• • What is matter?
  • What are physical properties of matter?
  • Explain to students that in this Investigation they will explore the physical properties of eight different samples of matter and that each sample is also a unique element.
  • Explain to students that the goal of the lab is to group the elements according to their physical properties. Remind them that the Periodic Table groups elements according to their physical properties.
  • Play the video below. Stop to ask students questions or answer students’ questions when necessary. Remind students to follow along with their SDRs and make any notes that they think might be helpful.
  • After the video, direct students to divide into their lab groups to discuss their strategy for the lab. For example, they may assign certain group members to perform specific functions during the lab.

  Note: The purpose of the video is to allow students to anticipate the laboratory experience they will soon encounter. Students should leave this PreLab session with a firm idea of what to expect and how to perform in the lab.

  Note: Homework is posted below the video.

HOMEWORK

Tell students that they should review the Investigation in preparation for the Lab.