Learning Activity

The Difference Between Physical and Chemical Properties

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

8

Overview

In this activity, the students will activate prior knowledge using ABC brainstorming changes in matter.  students will use Readworks "Mix the Old With the New” to learn about chemical properties.  The students will read an article and answer questions about chemical properties.  Finally, students will construct a summary paragraph from what they learned. 

 This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 8

SC15.8.5

Observe and analyze characteristic properties of substances (e.g., odor, density, solubility, flammability, melting point, boiling point) before and after the substances combine to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.8.5

Vocabulary

  • Characteristic properties (e.g., odor, density, solubility, flammability, melting point, boiling point)
  • Substances
  • Chemical reaction

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Each pure substance has characteristic physical and chemical properties that can be used to identify it.
  • Characteristic properties of substances may include odor, density, solubility, flammability, melting point, and boiling point.
  • Chemical reactions change characteristic properties of substances.
  • Substances react chemically in characteristic ways.
  • In a chemical process, the atoms that make up the original substances are regrouped into different molecules, and these new substances have different properties from those of the reactants.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Observe characteristic physical and chemical properties of pure substances before and after they interact.
  • Analyze characteristic physical and chemical properties of pure substances before and after they interact.
  • Analyze the properties to identify patterns (i.e., similarities and differences), including the changes in physical and chemical properties of each substance before and after the interaction.
  • Use the analysis to determine whether a chemical reaction has occurred.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Observations and analyses can be used to determine whether a chemical reaction has occurred.
  • The change in properties of substances is related to the rearrangement of atoms in the reactants and products in a chemical reaction (e.g., when a reaction has occurred, atoms from the substances present before the interaction must have been rearranged into new configurations, resulting in the properties of new substances).

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns

Phase

Before/Engage
After/Explain/Elaborate
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

The student will be able to observe and analyze the characteristic properties of substances before and after the substances combine to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. 

Activity Details

  1. The teacher will pass out the "ABC Brainstorming” Template.
  2. Ask the students to think of words that associate with the topic “Changes in Matter”
  3. The students will write the title “Changes in Matter” in the topic box. 
  4. The students will think of at least one word, sentence, or idea related to “Changes in Matter” that begins with each letter of the alphabet. They will write them on the template. Have the students to try to fill all 26 letters. 
  5. The students will log into Readworks.
  6. The teacher will have the students to read and answer the questions from Readworks "Mix the Old With the New".  
  7. After the students have read and answered the questions in Readworks "Mix the Old With the New", the teacher will pair the students and ask students to share their ABC Brainstorming with their partner.
  8. Next, the teacher will lead a class discussion on characteristic properties of substances before and after the substance combine.
  9. Finally, the teacher will have the students to write a summary paragraph at the bottom of the ABC Brainstorm.

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will access the students' work using one or all of the following:

 

 

Variation Tips

If students do not have access to devices, the online article and questions can be printed for each student. 

ABC Brainstorming template can be viewed on the projector.  

 

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

The teacher creates a free online account in Readworks The article and questions may be printed or completed online. 

Enter all classes and create an account for the students.  Give students the class codes and password.  Class codes and passwords are the same for all students.  Students may change the password when they log in.   

Print the ABC Brainstorming individual template for each student.

 

 

Digital Tools / Resources

Mix the Old With the New/Readworks.org
https://www.readworks.org/article/Mix-the-Old-with-the-New/b90c910c-fc54-4131-b…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

kpayton
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