Instructional Lesson Plan
Subject- Science
Unit- Matter
Lesson Topic- Acid and Bases (2 days)
Grade 5
Teacher- Lisa Warden
School – ATS
SOL
5.4 The student will investigate and understand that matter is anything that has mass and
takes up space; and occurs as a solid, liquid or gas. Key concepts include:
a. Mixtures including solutions and
b. Determining if they are acids or bases.
Student Outcome
Students will demonstrate their understanding of an acid and base by
serving drinks to aliens playing an interactive game.
Essential Question
Why is it important for us in our everyday lives to know the difference
between an acid and a base?
Student Arrangement
This lesson will take place in the classroom, and in the computer lab. Students will work
in cooperative groups, individually and have whole group instruction.
Modifications
The website (interactive game) offers students to use the cabbage juice indicator if
they are unsure of a Ph level of each substance. It also enables students to look at
definitions of terms that may need reinforced.
Prior knowledge
In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students should be able to
 Know the difference between an acid and a base
 Describe different indicators
 Discuss and use the Ph scale
Materials
Access to Computer Lab/Smart Board
Science textbook
Ph Scale
Alien Juice Bar Worksheet- see attached
What is an acid and base? Worksheet
Directed Reading for Content Mastery: Venn Diagram-Acids, Bases, and Salts
Directed Reading for Content Mastery: Acids and Bases Worksheet
Reinforcement: Acids and Bases Characteristic Worksheet
Opening Activities/Motivation
Students will begin by stating a fact about the acid and bases that they have learned
during the course of the unit. (They can use their notebooks). Students will discuss
the relationship of the acidic, neutral, and basic solutions and their everyday lives.
Students will each receive a card that represents a number on the Ph scale; they will
line up accordingly and state their example.
Procedures (2 day activity)
 Students will complete a venn diagram and 2 other reinforcement worksheets to
discuss acids and bases. We will discuss robust vocabulary words that they
will need to understand prior to completing the computer lab activity.
 Students will jigsaw with a small group to discuss acid and base characteristics.
 Students will visit http://sv.berkeley.edu/showcase/flash/juicebar.html and begin
with challenge 1 on the “Alien Juice Bar” activity. As a whole group we will
practice each challenge by completing the first example together. Then
individual students will come up to the Smart Board or if in computer lab
individually complete. The first challenge reviews the color of the liquid when
an indicator- cabbage juice- is used to determine it Ph level. Students will
come up and participate if using a smart board or if in the computer lab
individually complete.
 Students will complete challenge 2. They will serve aliens different acidic or
basic drinks upon their request. Goal is not to make the alien sick. On the
third trial students may kill the alien by giving them the opposite of what they
are requesting.
 Students will complete challenge 3. They will look at the Ph level of 6 drinks
and determine what substance they need to make the drinks acidic, neutral or
basic. They can only advance if they answer correctly.
Evaluation
Teacher will evaluate students as they come up to the board and while facilitating
around the room as they work individually.
Closure
Students will share their conclusions, stating 3 things that they learned from this
activity.