DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For Changing Matter Atoms and Molecules > Atoms

Atoms – The Big Ideas All matter is made of atoms. Atoms are too small to be seen. Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Two or more atoms combined form a molecule. Molecules are too small to be seen.

Atoms – Prior Knowledge Atoms and the components of an atom are new concepts for students. It will be helpful for students to review matter with the Fun-damental, What’s the Matter. It will also be helpful if students have: What’s the Matter seen microscopic images and understand that some things are too small to be seen with the human eye.

Atoms – Common Misconceptions Atoms can be seen with a microscope. –Reality: Atoms cannot be seen with a microscope. The extent of an atom’s small size is often not well understood. For example, there are about one million atoms across the width of human hair, but many students guess a number in the hundreds or thousands. The electron shell is there to protect the nucleus, like an eggshell and a yolk. –Reality: Electron shells are not physical shells like eggshells. They are not thin or hard. They are regions around the nucleus where electrons can be found.

Atoms – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Atoms. Exploration: AtomsAtoms Reading Passage: Building BlocksBuilding Blocks Video: ElectronsElectrons Video: Understanding AtomsUnderstanding Atoms Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.

Atoms – Instructional Ideas Use a computer lab to have each student or pairs of students complete the Exploration: Atoms. Atoms –Students should define each of the terms: protons, neutrons, and electrons. –Students draw the helium atom and write a description of the movement and an explanation of why we cannot see this movement.

Atoms – Instructional Ideas Provide building blocks and allow the students a few minutes to build a structure. –Students read Building Blocks.Building Blocks –Students record the definition of an atom in their science journals.

State standards: If you wish to review your state standards regarding Atoms, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.