Name: ______Date: ______Block: ______

How to Make a Paper Plate Atom

  1. Procure a notecard with an element written on it from your teacher. Write your element here:

______

  1. Find your element on the periodic table and determine the following:
  2. Number of protons ______
  3. Number of neutrons ______
  4. Number of electrons ______
  1. Fold your paper plate in half.
  2. Hold the cutting-pattern firmly to your paper plate and cut along the solid lines on the pattern.
  3. Keep all “rings”/trash all “trash”
  4. You will have one solid circle for the nucleus
  5. You will have 2 to 3 rings to use as electron shells
  1. Using the information above, determine the number of orbitals you will need to complete your element’s atom
  2. You can use your notes regarding the number of electrons allowed in each shell
  1. Nucleus:
  2. Use markers to draw the correct number of protons and neutrons—use a different color for each and label which is which.
  3. On the other side, write the atomic symbol for the element, your name, and your block
  1. Rings:
  2. Use a third color to draw the appropriate number of electrons on each shell (or orbit) of your atom. Do this on both sides of the orbits
  3. Label one of the shells “electrons”
  1. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the top of your nucleus and all orbits
  1. Use a piece of yarn to attach all the pieces
  2. Tie the yarn to the nucleus to start and work your way out, tying a knot at each orbit to hold it in place.

Paper Plate Atom Rubric

Skill/Proficiency / 5 / 3 / 1
Element Name / Element name is clearly written within the nucleus / Element name is written but not per instructions / Element name not written on project
Protons / Number of protons is correct & labeled / Number of protons is correct but not labeled / Number of protons is incorrect
Neutrons / Number of neutrons is correct & labeled / Number of neutrons is correctbut not labeled / Number of neutrons is incorrect
Electrons / Number of electrons is correct & labeled / Number of electrons is correctbut not labeled / Number of electrons is incorrect
All other directions have been followed as per the instruction sheet / Cutting, hole punching, and yarn instructions followed correctly and atoms looks tidy. / Cutting, hole punching,oryarn instructions followed correctly and atoms looks sub par. / Your atom is one big ole mess!