Windsor Mill Middle School
Lesson Plan Template 2014-2015
Subject / PD: Environmental Science
Teacher: Dell
Date: 10/9/2014
Indicator/Core Learning
Goal
Objective
VSC 4.0 Cite evidence and give examples of chemical properties od substances.
D.2.b Use information gathered in investigations using indicators in order to classify materials as
acidic, basic, or neutral.
SWBAT analyze simulated reactions between household items and cabbage juice in order to
predict chemical properties of unknown substances.
Materials
Computer Lab, Internet access, GEMS Alien Juice Bar, Red Cabbage, Tomato Juice, Comet, Drinking
fountain water, vinegar, tide laundry detergent.
Technology Integration
Students will experiment with acids and bases through an online cabbage juice simulation, GEMS
Alien Juice bar.
Motivation/Drill
What do you know, or think you know, about acids? Bases?
PART I:
Focus Lesson
Review drill.
ESR: Acids can burn you, some knowledge of the pH scale
We have been talking about physical changes (mixtures and melting ice), today you will observe
some chemical changes.
Can someone remind me? What are some of the signs of a chemical change or chemical reaction?
ESR: precipitate, texture change, bubbles, energy release, color change.
Today we will witness a color change as two chemical interact. This is a very special color change,
because it serves as an indicator for us.
What does it mean to indicate something?
ESR: To tell you something
This color change will indicate to us whether something is an acid or a base.
PART II:
Guided Instruction
The teacher will add some boiled red cabbage juice to three unidentified substances to pique
student interest and demonstrate the color changes.
The question we want to answer today is: What do these color changes mean? What do they tell
us about the substance?
The teacher will navigate to the site and demonstrate helpful hints for success within the
simulation. The link will be posted on my school website to make navigation easier. Any questions
will be answered.
PART III:
Collaboration
After completing the simulations we will have a group discussion discussing our findings.
Key Points:
What color indicates acids? Pink (orange juice, lemon juice etc.)
What color indicates bases? Green (toothpaste juice, soap, etc.)
What color indicates neutral? Purple (water)
The teacher will draw the pH (percent Hydrogen) scale on the board. Students should indicate that
7 is neutral, below 7 is an acid and above 7 is a base. See below.
Do all acids and bases have the same strength? How do you know?
(the teacher may have to help prompt the discussion)
In the last activity if you needed to lower the pH, which substance did you use?
Lemon juice or orange juice
Why not water?
It did not lower it as quickly. (Because water is neutral and other acids can be considered weak)
What are some properties of acids? Bases?
Acids- Below 7 on pH Scale, sour taste, turn cabbage juice pink
Bases- Above 7 on pH scale, bitter taste, slippery, turn cabbage juice green
PART IV:
Independent Activity
Now that you know more about acids, bases and the pH scale. Let’s see if you can predict some
properties of unknown substances.
The teacher will add cabbage juice to five unidentified substances.
“1. Please identify the following substances as an acid, base or neutral. 2. Determine a possible pH
value for the substance. 3. List one property the substance probably has.”
PART V: Summary
Review the properties predicted by the indicator. Reveal identity of unidentified substances and
discuss.
Homework
None
Modification
N/A
Windsor Mill Middle School
Lesson Plan Template 2014-2015
Formative Assessment
The teacher will check in after the first simulation activity in order to ensure that students are
gleaning the appropriate information from these inquiry based investigations.
Acids are pink, bases are green and neutrals stay purple.
Questioning and Discussion after all simulations.
Exit activity of predicting substance properties.
Other Observation Recommendations (Formal Observation):
Scoring Tool (Rubric): See exemplary student response for correct answers.
Exemplary Student Response:
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Tomato Juice- acid, 0-6.8 pH, sour taste
Vinegar- Acid, 0-6.8, sour taste.
Tide Laundry Detergent- Base, 7.3-14 pH, slippery/ bitter taste
Drinking Fountain Water- neutral, 7pH, water