Advertising an Element

Subject Area: Science

Grade Level(s): 6-8

Duration of Activity: 2 class periods or more depending on extensions used

Description of Activity:

Students have learned about atoms and elements and that the elements are organized by their chemical properties into a Periodic Table. In this activity, the student will use Microsoft Publisher or other publishing program to design a six-sided brochure to advertise their element of choice.

Objectives: The student will

  • identify by name, symbol, and characteristic common metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

  • illustrate the structure of an atom.

  • use the Internet as an educational resource.

  • use a computer-based publishing program to organize and present information

Materials/Equipment:

  • Computer with Internet access

  • Microsoft Publisher software or other publishing software

  • Printer

  • Digital camera or scanner (optional)

  • Handout 1: Performance Task Assessment Checklist

  • Handout 2: Element Brochure Instructions

  • Handout 3: Student Example

Prerequisites (skills or background needed):

  • Knowledge of the structure and composition of the atom

  • Knowledge of what elements are and how they are organized and represented in the Periodic Table

  • Knowledge of how to navigate the Internet and access designated sites

  • Knowledge of how to use Microsoft Publisher or other publishing software

  • Microsoft Publisher Tutorial
    http://www.microsoft.com/education/tutorial/classroom/pub2k/default.asp

Procedure

Teacher Component:

  1. The teacher will divide the students into small groups with group size based on the number of available computers in the classroom. Groups of two students per computer are ideal for this activity.

  2. The teacher will bookmark Web sites on each computer prior to beginning this activity.

  3. The teacher will give the Handout 2: Element Brochure to each group to be used as a guide. Groups will be instructed to record collected information on notebook paper.

  4. The teacher will assist with any problems that arise during the collecting of information and the publishing component of this activity.

Student Activities:

  1. The students will choose an element and collect the following information about their element:

    1. Element name

    2. Element symbol

    3. Atomic number of element

    4. Atomic mass number of element

    5. Energy level drawing of element

    6. Origin of element's name

    7. Name of person/persons who discovered element

    8. Date of discovery

    9. Three common uses of element

    10. Three little known yet interesting facts about element

  2. Using Microsoft Publisher or other publishing software, students will use the information that they have collected to design a six-sided brochure. They will arrange the information as follows:

    1. Cover-Element name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass number. The authors' names will also appear on the cover.

    2. Page 2-An energy level drawing of the element. This should be titled "Energy Level Diagram" and either labeled or color-coded.

    3. Page 3-This page should be titled "Did You Know…." The following pieces of information are to be written in complete sentences and appear as a bulleted list:

      1. Origin of elements name

      2. Name of person/persons who discovered the element

      3. Date of discovery

    4. Page 4-This page should be titled "Common Uses." The common uses should be written in complete sentences and appear as numbered items.

    5. Page 5-This page should be titled "Interesting Facts." The collected facts should be written in complete sentences and appear as numbered items.

    6. Page 6-This page should be titled "About the Authors." Each author will write a paragraph about himself or herself. If a digital camera or scanner is available, students will include a picture of themselves on this page.

Accommodations:

  • Students with fewer computer skills can be paired with peer tutor mentors during both phases of this activity.

  • Microsoft Publisher's brochure wizard facilitates the completion of this activity. For classrooms that do not have access to this software, word processing or presentation software can be substituted.

Extension Activities:

  • Each brochure can be scanned into the computer to compile a digital directory of the elements. This database could then be used each year as a "Technical Tutor" for students having difficulty grasping these physical science concepts.

Integration:

  • Science

  • Language Arts

  • Computer Technology

  • Journalism

  • Cooperative Skills

Assessments:

  1. Handout 1: Performance Task Assessment Checklist can be used to assess the brochure.

URLs:

Curriculum Frameworks

Mississippi:

Sixth Grade

  1. Investigate structure, properties, and changes of matter.

Seventh Grade

  1. Investigate chemical and physical properties of matter.

Eighth Grade

  1. Analyze the properties of matter.

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS):

  1. Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum. (3,6)

  2. Design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., Web pages, videotapes) using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4,5,6)

  3. Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solutions or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4,5)

TerraNova:

20 Physical Science (Level 11-21/22)
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of physical science. Apply physical science knowledge to investigations and real-world contexts.

Through text, diagrams, and drawings, provide explanations of physical science concepts and principles.

Link and Feedback to Author(s):

Tammy Mauney, Booneville Middle School, Booneville, MS
tmauney@booneville.k12.ms.usor tmauney32@hotmail.com


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