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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 sodium? (Pb / Na / Sd / Sm) → NaPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
  2. Which element has the symbol Au? (sodium / nitrogen / gold / phosphorus) → 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 helium an element, a compound or a mixture? (element / compound / mixture) → elementPrompt: How many types of atom are there?
  2. How many elements are there in water, H₂O? (2 / 1 / 4 / 3) → 2Prompt: Count the different symbols, not the atoms.

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. Is gold an element, a compound or a mixture? (element / compound / mixture) → elementPrompt: How many types of atom are there?
  2. Iron and sulfur are heated together and form iron sulfide. Why is iron sulfide a compound, not a mixture? (It contains iron / The elements are chemically joined, and a magnet no longer separates the iron / It can be separated with a magnet / It is a powder) → The elements are chemically joined, and a magnet no longer separates the ironPrompt: Can you still pull out the iron with a magnet?

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

    Is orange juice an element, a compound or a mixture?

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

  2. Question 2

    Elements and compounds: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A compound has the same properties as its elements.
    • B. There are over 100 known elements.
    • C. Mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtering.
    • D. Air is a mixture.

  3. Question 3

    How many elements are there in water, H₂O?

    • A. 3
    • B. 1
    • C. 4
    • D. 2

  4. Question 4

    Is carbon dioxide (CO₂) an element, a compound or a mixture?

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

  5. Question 5

    Sodium is a reactive metal and chlorine is a poisonous gas. What is sodium chloride like?

    • A. exactly like sodium
    • B. table salt, which is safe to eat in small amounts
    • C. a poisonous gas
    • D. a shiny metal

  6. Question 6

    Is sodium chloride (NaCl) an element, a compound or a mixture?

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

  7. Question 7

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

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

  8. Question 8

    Is glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) 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. C. mixture

  2. 2. A. A compound has the same properties as its elements.

  3. 3. D. 2

  4. 4. B. compound

  5. 5. B. table salt, which is safe to eat in small amounts

  6. 6. B. compound

  7. 7. A. element

  8. 8. B. compound