TPACK Template

Subject Science

Grade Level 6

Type of Online Asynchronous

Class

Learning Objective 6.4—The student will investigate and understand that all
matter is made up of atoms. Key concepts include:
a) atoms consist of particles, including electrons, protons, and
neutrons;
b) atoms of a particular element are alike but are different
from atoms of other elements;
c) elements may be represented by chemical symbols;
d) two or more atoms interact to form new substances, which
are held together by electrical forces (bonds);
e) compounds may be represented by chemical formulas;
f) chemical equations can be used to model chemical changes;
and
Content

g) a limited number of elements comprise the largest portion

of the solid Earth, living matter, the oceans, and the
atmosphere.
Online Activity Because this is a review activity prior to a final assessment,
students will already have general knowledge about elements
and atoms. Students will be asked to watch a video about
elements and atoms to help refresh their memory and prepare
them for the activity.

Students will be given the link

(https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-
atom/latest/build-an-atom_en.html). They will “Build An Atom”
by adding and removing electrons, protons, and neutrons. As
the students “build”, they will notice that the net charge, mass
number, and element will change. In the top left-hand corner of
the page, the number of electrons, neutrons, and protons will
appear. There will also be an option to change the atom to an
“orbit” or “cloud” model. This should take students anywhere
from 15-30 minutes to complete, depending on how in depth
they get into “building”.

At the end of this activity, students will respond to a discussion

Pedagogy

post created by the teacher that asks two questions:

 What elements did you create as you built an atom?
 How did the simulation help you understand atoms?
 Technology  https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-
Techno

atom/latest/build-an-atom_en.html
logy

 Computer