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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes

Elements, compounds and mixtures

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.MS-PS1-1England: KS3 Chemistry: Atoms, elements and compoundsEngland: KS3 Chemistry: Pure and impure substances

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Elements, compounds and mixtures.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Elements and their symbols

Leads to: Chemical formulae

Materials: Periodic tables, Atom model kits, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Elements and their symbols). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What is the chemical symbol for fluorine? (Fl / Fe / Cu / F) → FPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
  2. Which element has the symbol Au? (aluminium (aluminum) / beryllium / gold / nitrogen) → goldPrompt: Some symbols come from Latin names: Fe (ferrum), Cu (cuprum), Na (natrium), K (kalium), Ag (argentum), Au (aurum), Pb (plumbum).
  3. Type the chemical symbol for chlorine. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → ClPrompt: It may come from the Latin name.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Elements, compounds and mixtures. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Is water (H₂O) an element, a compound or a mixture?
  • Step 1: A compound has two or more elements chemically joined in fixed proportions.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: compound
  • Answer: compound
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is ammonia (NH₃) an element, a compound or a mixture? (element / compound / mixture) → compoundPrompt: How many types of atom are there?
  2. Sodium is a reactive metal and chlorine is a poisonous gas. What is sodium chloride like? (a shiny metal / a poisonous gas / table salt, which is safe to eat in small amounts / exactly like sodium) → table salt, which is safe to eat in small amountsPrompt: A compound can be very different from its elements.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Elements and compounds: which statement is NOT true? (Mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtering. / Air is a mixture. / Water is an element. / A compound contains two or more elements chemically joined.) → Water is an element.Prompt: Is water made of one kind of atom?
  2. What is the smallest particle of an element that still has its properties? (an atom / a mixture / a crystal / a cell) → an atomPrompt: Everything is made of these tiny building blocks.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Elements and their symbols.
  • Use concrete materials: periodic tables.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Chemical formulae.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Elements, compounds and mixtures

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    What is the smallest particle of an element that still has its properties?

    • A. an atom
    • B. a mixture
    • C. a cell
    • D. a crystal

  2. Question 2

    Is water (H₂O) an element, a compound or a mixture?

    • A. element
    • B. compound
    • C. mixture

  3. Question 3

    Elements and compounds: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A compound contains two or more elements chemically joined.
    • B. A compound can be separated by filtering.
    • C. There are over 100 known elements.
    • D. Air is a mixture.

  4. Question 4

    Iron and sulfur are heated together and form iron sulfide. Why is iron sulfide a compound, not a mixture?

    • A. It contains iron
    • B. It is a powder
    • C. The elements are chemically joined, and a magnet no longer separates the iron
    • D. It can be separated with a magnet

  5. Question 5

    Is iron an element, a compound or a mixture?

    • A. element
    • B. compound
    • C. mixture

  6. Question 6

    Is sea water an element, a compound or a mixture?

    • A. element
    • B. compound
    • C. mixture

  7. Question 7

    Is glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) an element, a compound or a mixture?

    • A. element
    • B. compound
    • C. mixture

  8. Question 8

    Is oxygen gas (O₂) an element, a compound or a mixture?

    • A. element
    • B. compound
    • C. mixture

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Answer key: Elements, compounds and mixtures

  1. 1. A. an atom

  2. 2. B. compound

  3. 3. B. A compound can be separated by filtering.

  4. 4. C. The elements are chemically joined, and a magnet no longer separates the iron

  5. 5. A. element

  6. 6. C. mixture

  7. 7. B. compound

  8. 8. A. element