GRADE 8 CURRICULUM
Unit Two: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
(5 weeks)
Overview: This unit focuses on the building of matter. Students will learn about atoms and molecules and the difference
between the two. Students will identify elements on a periodic table and articulate the relationship between elements and
compounds. Students will be exposed to chemical changes and the energy required in building and breaking bonds.
Standards
Understandings
Essential Questions
5. Recognize that there are more than Matter cannot be created or destroyed.
How do elements differ from
100 elements that combine in a
Elements possess their own properties,
compounds?
(density,
boiling
point,
melting
point,
multitude of ways to produce
What is an atom?
solubility, etc.) and these properties are used Can we see atoms?
compounds that make up all of the
to distinguish one element from another.
living and nonliving things that we
Why do we call an atom the building
Compounds are made of two or more
encounter
block of matter?
kinds of atoms.
What is an element?
6. Differentiate between an atom (the Energy is involved in chemical and
How are elements and atoms related?
physical
changes.
smallest unit of an element that
How do elements and compounds
A chemical change results in a different
maintains the characteristics of that
interact?
substance because bonds are broken and What is the difference between an
element) and a molecule (the
new ones are formed.
smallest unit of a compound that
atom and a molecule?
A molecule is the smallest unit of a
maintains the characteristics of that
How de we determine a mixture?
compound.
compound).
How do we determine a pure
An atom is the smallest unit of an
substance?
element.
7. Give basic examples of elements
What’s the difference between a
Mixtures are formed when elements or
and compounds.
mixture and a pure substance?
compounds are together physically and
What do atoms have to do with
can be easily separated.
8. Differentiate between mixtures
chemical or physical changes?
Compounds are formed through chemical What does energy have to do with
and pure substances.
GRADE 8 CURRICULUM
bonds and require more energy to be
9. Recognize that a substance
separated.
(element or compound) has a melting
point and a boiling point, both of
which are independent of the amount
of the sample.
chemical changes?
10. Differentiate between physical
changes and chemical changes.
Supporting Standards
4. Explain and give examples of how
mass is conserved in a closed system.
Misconceptions
Atoms and molecules are the same.
Putting two things together automatically forms a
compound.
Learning Outcomes
SWBAT distinguish between atoms of an element and
molecules of a compound.
SWBAT list examples of elements and compounds.
SWBAT explain how a compound is formed.
Truths
Atoms are the smallest unit of an element and molecules are the
smallest unit of a compound.
Compounds are only formed by bonds.
Evidence of Learning
Written response to a text based question about compounds and
mixtures in which the student has to identify the mixture using
evidence.
Research on a given element and student gives a presentation.
GRADE 8 CURRICULUM
SWBAT identify the Law of Conservation of Matter.
SWBAT describe the difference between pure
substances and mixtures.
SWBAT identify the parts of the atom.
SWBAT explain how the periodic table is arranged.
Using the periodic table, SWBAT identify the symbol,
atomic mass, and atomic number of an element.
SWBAT give examples of mixtures and compounds.
Use models to demonstrate compounds
Use models to build common molecules
Lab experiment to break down compound of sugar
Sample MCAS questions
Vocabulary
Chemical reaction, chemical change, physical change, matter, atom, molecule, bond, proton, neutron, electron, nucleus
Resources
Science Explorer: Chemical Building Blocks
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