Matter and Interactions

After reading the section on Matter and Interactions from the Science Conceptual Framework, what were some new learnings, something that you may have already known, or some questions you still have? This excerpt from the article really stood out to me, “Understanding chemical reactions and the properties of elements is essential not only to the physical sciences but also is foundational knowledge for the life sciences and the earth and space sciences.” This really made me realize that I need to connect chemical reactions to life and space science and not just teach it as a separate topic.

What preconceptions do you anticipate your students will have about topics found in this standard?  They may not understand the difference between atoms and molecules. Also formation of a new substance with new properties is seen as a simple happening rather than a s the result of particle rearrangement.

What are some ways you plan on addressing these preconceptions? I plan on pre-assessing students before beginning these topics to get a better understanding of what they already know. Through investigations and class discussions I can create experiences with chemical reactions and the creation of new substances to help clarify their understanding.