Water UnitBy

Luanne LaRose and Kate Stanton

Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory

Boston UniversitySummer 2002

Introduction to Unit

Connect the submicroscopic characteristics of water to the macromolecular phenomenaCombines teacher demos, wet labs and computer simulations to reinforce the properties of water

Intended Audience

Middle School science

9th grade physical science

9th grade Biology

State Standards

Students will plan and conduct investigations in which conclusions are formed based on recorded qualitative and quantitative data.

Use evidence, apply logic, and construct an argument for conclusions based on reported data

State Standards (cont.)

Water is able to absorb large amounts of heat, so lakes and oceans stabilize air and land temperatures Water absorbs heat when it evaporates, allowing organisms to get rid of excess heat In the solid form, ice floats, preventing lakes and oceans from freezing solid

National Teacher Standards

Commitment to students and their learning (meeting state and national standards, always) Knowledge of subject matter and how to teach it to students (age appropriate) Responsible for managing and monitoring student learning (discussions, student feedback, assessments, observations) Think systematically about teaching practice and learn from experience (daily reflections on how the lessons progressed, improvements needed) Members of learning communities (invite parents, community members, and administrators on lab station days)

Placement in the Curriculum

Previous Topics

Strucutre of the Atom

Bonding

Next Topic

pHOrganic

compounds

Goals and Objectives

Students will be able to identify a water molecule.

Describe the shape and charges associated with the water molecule.

Relate and apply how the structure of water relates to the special properties of water.

Time required

7 Days

70 minute blocks

Prep time varies based on the activities

Day 1: Structure of Water Molecule

Balloon and water stream demoExplanation of structure of waterBuilding a water moleculeCreating hydrogen bonds

Day 2 Computer Lab

Students use Water Simulate:

• Hydrogen bonding• Temperatures effect on H bonds

• Dissolving

Day 3 Lab Stations

Teacher sets up 12 different stations which demonstrate different properties of waterStudents rotate through several stations

Day 4 Density and Temperature

Demo of ice and water to introduce densityComputer simulation from WATER to show density of ice and liquid waterClass discussion and journal entries

Days 5, 6 & 7

Student will create their own lab station to demonstrate one or more property of water

Students will set up their station and then students will rotate through the station

Students will be assessed based on their journal entries and the lab they created

Assessments

Journal entry rubricPerformance- students will demonstrate how several water molecules bond together.Open Questions based on computer simulationsLab questions Creation of lab stations (project)- rubricHomeworkQuiz