7th Grade Teaching Suggestions from Mrs. Massey

7-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

• Notice, the standard lists atomic composition, simple molecules, and extended structures.  Plan time accordingly.
  Atoms: Focus on numbers 1-20 (H-Ca)
  Simple molecules:  water, carbon dioxide, glucose, ammonia, methanol, 
  Extended structures:  diamonds, graphite, 
• Remember - models can be 2D or 3D, please expose students to both forms of atomic models, both pictures of them and 3D replicas of them.  
• In cooperative groups, have students choose a vertical group on the periodic table.  Each person in the group must use the same materials, but model a different atom/element in the group. 
• Have students make a bucky ball. 
  https://thingsihack.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/how-to-make-a-buckyball-out-of-bendy-straws/ 
  https://www.popsci.com/buckyball-magic-molecule/
• Remember:  State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include valence electrons and bonding energy, discussing the ionic nature of subunits of complex structures, or a complete depiction of all individual atoms in a complex molecule or extended structure.  
  -Focus on structures.  With atoms, assume electrons equal to protons.  Do teach about subatomic particles.  Don't teach type of bonds, or bond energy.

7-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

• Introduce the Law of Conservation of Mass
• Law of Conservation of Mass - Tod Ramsay video
• Scientists Discover a New Way to Make Water
• How is water made?
• ​​How Lavoisier proved the Law of Conservation of Mass
• Conservation of Mass Worksheet 
  

7-PS1-3. Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.
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