Unit Plan: Matter

Stage One: Desired Results
Big Ideas / Essential Questions
  • Matter is anything that takes up space.
  • Matter is made up of particles whose properties determine the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity.
  • An understanding of the atomic level helps makes sense of the macroscopic level.
/
  1. What is the world made of?
  2. How does matter change form?

Essential Skills / Vocabulary
Students will be able to… /
  • Use a triple beam balance to determine an object’s mass
  • Use a metric ruler to make linear measurements
  • Utilize mathematical equations to calculate volume and density
  • Use a graduated cylinder to find the mass of an irregularly shaped object
  • Use the periodic table of elements to make predictions about the properties of elements
  • Diagram a simple chemical reaction
  • Differentiate between physical and chemical changes
  • Make predictions about buoyancy based on density
/ Matter
Mass
Volume
Density
Element
Atom
Molecule
Mixture
Compound
Hardness
Luster
Malleability
Ductility
Solubility
Conductivity
Magnetism
Phase of Matter
Boiling Point
Freezing Point
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Energy
Particle
Buoyancy
Chemical Change
Physical Change
Period Table
Students will know… /
  • Substances have characteristic properties including color, phase at room temperature, density, solubility, heat and electrical conductivity, hardness, malleability, ductility, and boiling/freezing points
  • The motion of particles helps explain states of matter as well as shifts between phases
  • Gases have neither a definite volume nor shape. Liquids have a definite volume, but take the shape of its container. Solids have a definite volume and shape.
  • Density describes the amount of matter in a given volume. Buoyancy is determined by comparative densities.
  • During a physical change, a substance keeps it chemical composition and properties, but only changes form.
  • During a chemical change, a substance changes into a new substance with different physical and chemical properties.
  • Mixtures are physical combinations of materials and compounds are chemical combinations.
  • The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed.
  • All matter is made up of atoms. Atoms react by giving, receiving, or sharing electrons to form molecules during a chemical reaction.
  • Elements are pure substances. The period table classifies elements according to their properties.

Stage Two: Assessment and Evidence
Assessments
Daily: / Mastery of individual objectives will be measured by:
  • Daily Do-Now quizzes to measure retention of the previous lesson’s objective
  • Accuracy of individual work produced in class and as homework
  • Summary Questions
  • Exit Slips

Culminating: /
  1. Written exam with multiple opportunities/formats for testing mastery of each learning objective
  2. Cumulative Performance Assessment asking students move through stations in order to demonstrate mastery of the ability to:
  • determine the density of an object using a triple beam balance and water displacement method
  • make predictions about buoyancy based on the relative density of objects and water
  • make predictions about the properties of elements using the periodic table
  • characterize changes as chemical or physical
  • diagram a simple chemical reaction

Feedback
  • Comments/grades based on homework and class-work rubrics
  • Individual conferences during worktime: I try to meet with each student individually at least once per work period (work time in lesson)
  • Peer-editing: students switch work and check their partner’s accuracy. Students use peer editing form to provide specific feedback for their classmate.

Informed Instruction
  • Me: Daily assessment of student mastery of objectives will help pace instruction (i.e. spend another day revisiting the learning objective) and change the mode of instruction (i.e. reteach the concept in a different way to incorporate varying learning modalities, etc.) Also, if it is evident that a certain topic is still challenging students, I will provide more opportunities to practice the skill/concept during homework assignments, do-now’s, or in-class activities.
  • Students: Students will track their own mastery of objectives on their personal mastery charts and know which topics they still have to work on. During our individual conferences, we can address these specific challenges and collaborate on an individualized learning plan.

Stage Three: Instruction
Learning Activities and Approaches
Kinesthetic:
  • Weekly labs
Visual:
  • Digital Presenter/overhead
  • Video clips/internet simulations
Auditory:
  • Video/simulations
  • group-discussion
  • Oral presentations
Interpersonal:
  • cooperative learning labs
  • Weather forecast project
Mathematical-logical:
  • Measurements and data collection
  • Creation of graphs, tables, and charts
  • Extrapolation of data from graphs
Artistic:
  • Making posters, process charts
  • Dinah Zyke foldable for organizing of related concepts

Resources
  • Digital Presenter, computer
  • Reading Materials- Glencoe, Measuring Up Science Strategy Review book, Science World Magazine
  • Hand-outs
  • Miscellaneous lab materials including but not limited to triple beam balances, rulers, calculators, graduated cylinders, wooden blocks, legos, jars, miscellaneous manipulatives, periodic table diagrams, etc.

Individual Objectives:
  1. SWBATidentify matter as anything that takes up space.
  2. SWBAT determine the physical properties of matter.
  3. SWBAT calculate the volume of matter using a metric ruler and water displacement.
  4. SWBAT determine the mass of matter using a triple beam balance.
  5. SWBAT determine the density of matter by dividing mass by volume.
  6. SWBAT predict the buoyancy of an object by comparing the relative densities.
  7. SWBAT explain that all matter is made up of pure or combinations of pure substances called elements.
  8. SWBAT explain that atoms are single units of elements.
  9. SWBAT identify the components of an atom.
  10. SWBAT to relate the components of atoms to the periodic table.
  11. SWBAT to discern patterns in the period table.
  12. SWBAT to use the periodic table to the properties of elements.
  13. SWBAT relate the movement of particles to states of matter and shifts between states.
  14. SWBAT differentiate between the properties of solids, liquids, or gases.
  15. SWBAT identify physical changes.
  16. SWBAT explain that atoms can react with one another by giving, receiving, or sharing electrons.
  17. SWBAT diagram a simple chemical reaction.
  18. SWBAT identify chemical changes.
  19. SWBAT differentiate between chemical and physical changes.
  20. SWBAT differentiate between mixtures and compounds.