Project Content

This page briefly discusses advice for other science teachers who will be teaching atomic structure and radiation, including helpful resources which encourage authentic learning.

Curriculum

In Western Australia, the curriculum for Year 9 Chemistry (click ->)ACSSU177(<- click) requires teachers to teach students on atomic structure (nucleus, energy levels) whilst comparing atomic size and the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Other regions worldwide most likely have an alternative curriculum but on the basis of learning about atoms and radiation, this page addresses a lesson plan and resources which are beneficial for all science teachers.


Prior Knowledge

Students are required to already have brief knowledge on atoms, knowing that they are the smallest structure of all states of matter, and learning about elements on the periodic table.
It is also beneficial for students to have an understanding on the basic units of an atom being protons, neutrons and electrons, but we will readdress those concepts in the first lesson. 


Lesson Plans

(4 x 45 min lessons)

Lesson 1 - Students will relearn past concepts such as protons, neutrons and electrons, and will be introduced to atomic structure, atomic mass and radiation using these Youtube videos:
After watching these brief crash course videos, we will have a class discussion where the teacher will recap and summarise the concepts addressed in the video. Students are required to take notes throughout the lesson as it will be beneficial for them during the poster assessment. 
Students will complete this lesson by looking at this (click ->)atom simulation(<- click) which brings their concepts to life on atomic structure to get a better picture on atoms. 

Lesson 2 - After students spent the previous lesson getting introduced to new concepts, students will spend this lesson applying those concepts into activities. To start off, students will receive a handout like the one I have attached here filling in these two templates which will help their understandings overall helping them during their assessment. 


To complete this lesson, students will download the (click ->)AutoDesk Sketchbook App(<- click) where students must draw their own atom showing number of protons, neutrons and electrons using the app and swap drawings with each other using AirDrop (included on all Apple laptops and iPads) so each student has to guess each atomic element based on structure and number of protons, neutrons and electrons. 

Lesson 3 - Students will be introduced to the poster assessment this lesson, by receiving the task sheet handout which looks like this:
and I will explain the task in detail to students whilst assigning them their element to work on. The form of radiation they include on their poster is the student's choice. Students will make a start on researching information for their poster and by the end of the lesson the teacher will check that each student is on the right track and track their progress with their research. 

Lesson 4 - Students will complete their poster this lesson and upload their online poster to their school's online wiki where other students, teachers and parents may view their work which they have produced. We will complete the lesson by students reviewing their new knowledge on atomic structure and radiation by completing this (click ->)online quiz(<- click) which will point out what areas they must work on before exam time.

Teacher Advice

Science, chemistry in particular is a very interesting topic which appeals to student's curiosity but contains some complicated concepts which requires time and patience when teaching students especially with intricate and difficult concepts. Science is either right or wrong with not much grey area, which is where some students fall behind when their work doesn't quite reach the target, and as a science teacher it is vital to implement the 9 elements of authentic learning which is covered on my (click ->)Project Overview page(<- click), overall allowing students to virtually learn the topic with relevance to them the learner.

Some other key tips that are helpful for chemistry teachers is to use visual aids when teaching the topic, especially the idea of atoms and radiation. It is impossible to virtually see atoms and radiation, so for students who learn better visually it is important to include visual aids to physically convey concepts which may make more sense when seen. Some visual aids include videos, diagrams, simulations and models. 

Since chemistry is an interesting yet tricky subject to understand, teachers must appeal to student's curiosity to encourage them to learn and discover more. Getting more hands on with class activities including technology which students enjoy allows them to combine stuff that they enjoy and familiar with to learn new topics. Include activities which allow discussion of ideas, group work and cohesion in the classroom to have a friendly classroom environment with co-operation and cohesion. 


Additional Resources

Some extra resources which teachers may use when teaching authentically or some crash courses and learning materials to email to students for further study at home leading up to tests/exams include:
(click ->)In Depth Radiation Crash Course(<- click)
(click ->)Radiation Quiz(<- click)
(click ->)Teaching Guide for Atoms(<- click)


References

Government of Western Australia. (2014). School Curriculum and Standards Authority. Retrieved from http://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/p-10-curriculum/curriculum-browser/science-v9


Autodesk Inc. (2017). Autodesk Sketchbook (Version 3.7.4). [Mobile and laptop application software]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/autodesk-sketchbook/id883738213?mt=8


Phet Interactive Simulations. (2017). Build an Atom 1.2.5. Retrieved from https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-atom/latest/build-an-atom_en.html

Tarin, W. (2015, November). Atomic Structure: protons, neutrons and electrons. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUVv7nxJYyA

Deutschland, GRS. (2012, September). What is Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation? [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27qSAqafQ6o

Chem4Kidz. (2017). Chem4Kidz Quiz: General Atoms. Retrieved from http://www.chem4kids.com/extras/quiz_atomintro/

Hughes, K. (2014, July). 5 Pieces of Advice for New Teachers. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ekNZU5dwWw

DrTesta1. (2016, October). 5 Tips for an Authentic Learning Environment. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT9PQj3HkZ4&t=19s

Stuart, I. (2014, May). 7.2 Introduction to Atomic Structure. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMDrb2LqL7E

SciencePost. (2012, October). NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY - Radioactivity & Radiation - Alpha, Beta, Gamma. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOE40P5rHCA

ProProfs Quizmaker. (2017). Radiation Quiz. Retrieved from https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=radiation-quiz





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