TOPIC: ATOMS AND ELEMENTS
A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS
- Simple atom chart.
- Models made from coloured balls.
- Element flashcards.
- Periodic table chart.
- Samples or pictures of common substances.
- Chemical-symbol cards.
B: REFERENCE MATERIALS
- Scheme of work.
- Recommended Basic Science textbook for Primary 6.
- Online educational resources.
C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
The pupils know that objects around them are made of materials such as water, metals, wood, air and soil.
D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Define matter.
- Explain an atom in simple terms.
- Identify the main particles in an atom.
- Define an element.
- Give examples of elements.
- Recognize some chemical symbols.
- Differentiate between an atom and an element.
E: CONTENT
Meaning of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
Examples:
Water
Air
Stone
Wood
Iron
Plastic
Meaning of an Atom
An atom is a very tiny unit that makes up matter.
Atoms are extremely small and cannot normally be seen with our eyes.
Simple Structure of an Atom
An atom contains smaller particles.
The three commonly introduced particles are:
Protons – have positive charge.
Neutrons – have no electrical charge.
Electrons – have negative charge.
The protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus, while electrons are found around the nucleus.
Meaning of an Element
An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom.
Examples include:
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Carbon
Iron
Gold
Copper
Nitrogen
Chemical Symbols
Scientists use short symbols to represent elements.
Examples:
Element
Symbol
Hydrogen
H
Oxygen
O
Carbon
C
Nitrogen
N
Iron
Fe
Gold
Au
Copper
Cu
Atom and Element
An atom is a tiny particle of an element.
An element is a substance made from only one kind of atom.
For example, an atom of oxygen is one tiny particle belonging to the element oxygen.
F: LESSON PRESENTATION
F1: Teachers’ Activities
- Defines matter.
- Introduces the idea of atoms.
- Uses a simple model to explain the structure of an atom.
- Identifies protons, neutrons and electrons.
- Defines an element.
- Gives examples of elements.
- Introduces simple chemical symbols.
- Compares atoms and elements.
F2: Pupils’ Activities
- Define matter.
- Mention examples of matter.
- Explain an atom.
- Identify parts of a simple atom model.
- Define an element.
- Mention examples of elements.
- Match elements with their symbols.
G: CONCLUSION
The teacher explains that matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms and that an element contains only one type of atom. The teacher revises some common elements and their chemical symbols.
H: EVALUATION GUIDE
Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:
- What is matter?
- Give four examples of matter.
- What is an atom?
- Name the three particles commonly found in an atom.
- What is an element?
- Mention five examples of elements.
- Write the symbols for hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
- What is the chemical symbol for iron?