Students think of “chemicals” as things that are dangerous, kept in bottles, and only accessed at special times for special experiments. I have found this idea that “chemicals” are dangerous to be so pervasive, I decided to start my chemistry (matter/energy) units with an activity about what chemicals really are and whether or not they are dangerous.
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The concept of the atom – a smaller part that makes up everything – seems so self-obvious to those of us “in the know” that sometimes it can be difficult to remember that atoms are not something students regularly think about or contemplate. Nevertheless, we must teach about atoms and, even more than that, the smaller parts that make up atoms.
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We teach valence electrons in 8th grade in Texas. That is a tough concept for the kiddos, but we make it fun (or so I hope). Introducing…The Bachelorette: Elemental Edition
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English is a funny language and there are many different meanings of the word “property.” A “property” can be something you own (i.e. my house is my property, your pencil bag is your property). In science, a “property” is an attribute or characteristic of a thing. Scientists use “properties” to describe objects.
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