The following is a unit of lessons that comprise an on-line collection of
activities in compliance with Technology State Standards.
Phase Change Unit
Title of Lesson: Phase Changes of Matter Unit
Author(s):Polly Hoffmann
Berkeley University,
Date: October 10, 2008
School District: Wausau School District
Campus: Wausau East High School
Subject Area(s):Physical Science, Chemistry
Grade Level(s)/Course: 9-12
Timeframe of Lesson: 9 days
Subject Specific:
State Standards:
SCIENCE:
Standard A - Understands that there are unifying themes: systems, order, organizations and interactions;
evidence models and explanations; consistency, change and measurement; evolution, equilibrium and
energy; form and function among scientific disciplines. (12.6)
Standard B - Understands the nature and applications of scientific knowledge(12.8)
Standard M - Understands basic concepts about the structure and properties of matter [reviewed: (8.6,
8.7, 8.8, 12.4)]
Standard N-Understands energy types, sources and conversions and their relationship to heat and
temperature(12.1)
Standard O - Understands motion and the principles that explain it (12.4)
TECHNOLOGY:
Stated Objective(s)
Anticipatory Set (Focus)
Explanation
Modeling
(Other than the lab
component - There will be
limited physical modeling as this is to be an
experience with on-line
learning.)
Each of the four content standards are evidenced in the unit:
Standard A - Media and Technology
Standard B - Information and Inquiry
Standard C - Independent Learning
Standard D - Learning Community
Demonstrate a basic understanding of molecular motion of substances by passing the chemthink test on
Particulate Nature of Matter.
Define and distinguish the physical properties of boiling point, vaporizing point, melting point and freezing
point in the Berkeley activities and responses.
Diagram the phases of matter on a heating and cooling curve with worksheets.
Explain the heating and cooling in terms of exothermic and endothermic physical reactions referencing
molecular motion.
Classify the proximity of molecules in solids, liquids and gase.
Define heat and model heat as the total energy of a system.
Define temperature as only the average kinetic component of the energy in the lab.
Model temperature with an actual flame heat source burning while the temperature remains constant until
all particles have melted, or until all have frozen in the reverse lab.
Distinguish heat from temperature on the graph in lab.
There will be a note on the door to meet in the computer room…this alone will heighten excitement.
The bellwork questions will be:
Alcohol boils at 82C and water boils at 100C. Will an egg hard boil more quickly in alcohol or water?
Will you bet me a pizza on your choice? (After about 2 minutes, I will write this on the board…Can you
cook a pizza faster at 82 or 100?)
The powerpoint lesson is the overview to the unit. It is posted on my class wiki:
www.wsd-chemb.wikispaces.com
It can be reviewed as needed by students.
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Content presentation will occur with the chemthink exercise. There is a tutorial note/worksheet
that will be turned in and each student must pass the ‘test’ on the particulate nature of matter
before proceeding to the on-line lesson through Berkeley University.
The on-line unit has principle presentation followed by a question set that starts with basic
understanding and leads to higher level questions with ‘real’ world application. This entire lesson
will be done in pairs per one computer.
The lab component will use the classroom template format which is adopted from the IB
Program. The scientific process is a modified model of the very taxonomy levels sited. The lab
will be done in groups of 4 per one computer using Vernier probeware.
The on-line assessment will be with a partner
The test will be individual.
This entire lesson is explained and diagramed in a powerpoint that I have designed to make it as
close to an on-line course experience as possible. It is posted on the class wiki to be referenced as needed.
Check for Understanding:
1.
Guided Practice
Chemthink does not let the student proceed with the question set if 3 correct answers were
submitted. The student must submit 10 correct before 3 incorrect.
2. The activity posts will be graded as the unit unfolds
3. There will be a bellwork question each day on major misconceptions of the content.
4. The Senteo review is an immediate check
5. The unit test can be retaken within one week of the original test date.
1. Chemthink: the tutorial is an online guide before the question test set, as is the accompanying
worksheet.
2. Berkeley: Questions from the online unit will be ‘graded’ each evening and comments will be posted.
Although, I will be walking around the room throughout the unit, limited teacher guidance will be offered.
I will ask questions as they respond on their computers to make sure that the entire content of each
question is addressed and completed in the student response. Partners serve as guides through the step
by step lessons too. Suggestions will be posted via the web-site to encourage and enhance the next level
of questions.
3. Lab: I definitely will suggest and support ‘good’ lab technique and ‘best practices’ during the data
gathering component. We will layout the report together before the actual data collection. Lab notebooks
have been completed and graded all year. Students are familiar with expectations
4. There is an on-line 10 point assessment/quiz to be done with a partner before the ‘Unit Exam’
5. Smart Notebook games provide a unique tool of instruction. The senteo hand held response remotes
will allow each student an immediate correct or incorrect response to each review question.
Check for Understanding:
Opportunities to Relearn
(Reteach)
Independent Practice
Assessment or Evaluation
Activity questions, chemthink and Berkeley quizzes, questioning during the lab.
-The boiling, freezing, melting, vaporizing points are all physical properties of matter. They are intensive
properties that will be revisited upon distinguishing chemical/physical properties and changes.
-The energy unit will revisit the motion of the molecules depending on state.
-The weather unit will address pressure variance to standard conditions and changes in physical
standards such as boiling, freezing, density, etc. Also, plasma will be defined with the ionosphere.
-The motion of gas molecules will be readdressed in the unit on Boyle’s, Charles’ and GayLussac
-The states of all 3 standard states, plus plasma and Eistein-Bose states will be defined in the astronomy
unit.
-The physical motions: vibrational, rotational and translational of molecules are the pathway to
understanding bond breaking and formation in the chemistry units
-Chemthink is used several times throughout the structure of the atom and reaction chemistry units. Setup will not need to be explained again.
-Logger Pro and the Vernier Probes are used for 3 other labs throughout the year and several more in
Physics. The basic concepts practiced will be expanded through each future application.
-The lab format and reporting template is used in each lab throughout the year and students work each
report with less and less guidance from the teacher.
-Hopefully when the students are cooking or hiking in a mountain, there will be some concept transfer in
actual everyday lives.
There will be a standard chemistry level unit exam with multiple choice, matching and short answer
questions. There will be a lab simulation problem with ‘fake’ data to apply to techniques mastered.
Enrichment
There is an additional melting point to the freezing point lab that can be done during student resource. It
should be a very predicted outcome that will improve lab technique and reinforce the fundamentals of
physical molecular motion studied throughout the unit.
Closure
Other than the Senteo review games and unit test review … there will be a blog option for vocab
enhancement. Postings will be an extension assignment need to use at least 5 of the new terms from the
unit. This posting will not be due until one week after the unit test…when retakes are to be over.
Materials
Technology Resources: URLs, Software, # of Computers, Printers, etc…
Other Resources: Book Titles, Art Supplies, Manipulatives, etc….