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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 carbon? (Ca / Cn / Cr / C) → CPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
  2. Which element has the symbol O? (bromine / beryllium / tin / oxygen) → oxygenPrompt: 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 silver. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → AgPrompt: It may come from the Latin name.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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 glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) an element, a compound or a mixture? (element / compound / mixture) → compoundPrompt: How many types of atom are there?
  2. What is the smallest particle of an element that still has its properties? (a mixture / an atom / a cell / a crystal) → an atomPrompt: Everything is made of these tiny building blocks.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Is oxygen gas (O₂) an element, a compound or a mixture? (element / compound / mixture) → elementPrompt: How many types of atom are there?
  2. Elements and compounds: which statement is NOT true? (Mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtering. / Air is a mixture. / There are over 100 known elements. / A compound can be separated by filtering.) → A compound can be separated by filtering.Prompt: Is water made of one kind of atom?

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 soil 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 contains two or more elements chemically joined.
    • B. A compound has the same properties as its elements.
    • C. Mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtering.
    • D. There are over 100 known elements.

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    Is air an element, a compound or a mixture?

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

  5. Question 5

    How many elements are there in water, H₂O?

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

  7. Question 7

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

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

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

  3. 3. C. table salt, which is safe to eat in small amounts

  4. 4. C. mixture

  5. 5. C. 2

  6. 6. B. compound

  7. 7. B. an atom

  8. 8. A. element