Physical Science

Grade 7 Science Curriculum

Unit of Study: PHYSICAL
Suggested Time: 8 Weeks

 

Content Standard 6.1 Materials can be classified as pure substances or mixtures, depending on their chemical and physical properties

  • Mixtures are made of combinations of elements and/or compounds, and they can be separated by using a variety of physical means.
  • Pure substances can be either elements or compounds, and they cannot be broken down by physical means.
Essential Question: How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?

 

Focus Question #1 What is an atom and what are its characteristics?

Expected Performances (C1) The student will be able to:

a. describe the properties of common elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, iron, and aluminum.

Required Activities:

  1. Illustrate a model of an atom. (CINQ. 10)
  2. Metal element scavenger hunt web activity. (CINQ. 5) http://www.phschool.com/atschool/science explorer/ChemBB/Student Area/SE K SC3 ACT index.html

Assessment:

Quiz on the properties of common elements, (C1)

Successfully complete the Scavenger Hunt activity from Required Activity #2 above

Prentice Hall Science Explorer, Chemical Building Blocks, Chapter 3

 

Focus Question #2 Why are materials classified as pure substances or mixtures based on their chemical and physical properties?

Expected Performances (C2) The student will be able to:

a. describe how the properties of simple compounds such as water and table salt, are different from the properties of the elements from which they are made.

Required Activities:

  1. Students examine salt crystals and water and then observe pictures and descriptions of the elements from which they are composed. They then go to: http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/chlorine/key.html to find out about sodium, chlorine, hydrogen, and oxygen. They then compare what they have learned about the elements to the compounds water and salt. (CINQ. 5)
  2. Directed reading comprehension strategies to help students make meaning of text. (See All-In-One Resource)

Optional Activities:

Assessment:

Given a chemical reaction such as Sodium plus Chlorine ---> sodium chloride, compare and contrast the properties of the reactants and products of a chemical reaction in a 2-column data table or Venn diagram. (C2)

 

Focus Question #3 How can mixtures be separated?

Expected Performances (C3) The student will be able to:

a. explain how mixtures can be separated by using the properties of the substances from which they are made, such as particlesize, density, solubility and boiling point.

Required Activities:

  1. Particle size - Chromatography – using black overhead (erasable) transparency sharpies, various food coloring, grape kool aide, food dye, or leaf pigments. (CINQ. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  2. Density – oil and vinegar shaken up in beaker – let settle. (DEMO)- red colored hot water and blue colored cold water. Pour slowly into beaker. (CINQ. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Optional Activities:

  1. Particle size - Separate rocks, soil, and water.
  2. Solubility/boiling point – mix salt, sand and water together. Separate out by filtering sand through coffee filter and boil off water. (CINQ. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  3. Magnetism – separating iron from sand or Total cereal (with water in baggie) and explain why it is possible to do this. “Which cereal contains the most iron?” (CINQ. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Assessment:

Chapter Test on Content Standard 6.1 (Chemical and Physical Properties of Matter). (C1, C2, C3)

Resources Needed:

Chemicals, magnets, consumables, etc. (see list in Appendix).

Student Resources:

Science Explorer Chemical Interactions, Prentice Hall

Science Explorer Chemical Building Blocks , Prentice Hall

Teacher Resources:

Science ExplorerChemical Interactions, Prentice Hall with ancillary materials

Science Explorer Chemical Building Blocks, Prentice Hall with ancillary materials

Internet Resources:

http://www.phschool.com/atschool/science explorer/ChemBB/Student Area/SE K SC3 ACT index.html

http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/chlorine/key.html

http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/matter/sciber/intro.html

 

Bold face indicates CORE expected performances to be assessed by CMT

Ledyard Public Schools
Revised 5/20/05
Approved by Instructional Council May 20, 2005