Chatfield 1

Meghan Chatfield
The Way Life Works
Lesson Plan Basic Cell Structures And Functions
Fifth Grade
All matter is made up of atoms, which means everyone is made up of atoms.
Atoms are the basic building blocks that make up everything, even the air we
breathe! Atoms are so small that even scientists have never actually seen them
except with very powerful microscopes called electron microscopes. Today we are
going to learn what make up atoms!
Matter
5.4
The student will investigate and understand that matter is anything
that has mass, takes up space, and occurs as a solid, liquid, or gas. Key
concepts include
a)

atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds;

b)

mixtures including solutions; and

c)

the effect of heat on the states of matter.

Grade Level: Fifth Grade

Subject: Atom
Objectives and Goals:
-

To introduce the inside structure of an atom.

For students to be able identify the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Anticipatory Set:
-

Short verbal introduction of atoms, discussing how everyone is made up of

atoms.
Asking general questions about what could possibly be made out of atoms.
(Ex. Raise your hand if you think the air you breathe is made out of atoms?

Direct Instruction (approximate time):

-

Promethean slide or power point slide discussing atoms.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30233/atoms-andelements#.UEiztKN3FLY
Topics to cover:
o Nucleus (the majority of the mass)
o Protons (positive)

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Neutrons (neutral)
Electrons (negative)
Electron cloud
Shells (the number of electron that each shell can hold)

Guided Practice:
-

Interactive promethean slide or white board; having students come up and

label/put components of an atom on a model.

Independent Practice:
-

Have students conduct an activity to recreate their own model of an atom an

label each component.
o Students will have a blank template of an atom model.

o
o
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They will paste a specified colored puff ball where the corresponding
component of the atom is supposed to be located on the atom model.
They will label each of these components (nucleus, electron cloud,
proton, neutron, protron)

Required Materials and Equipment:

-

Promethean board
White board
Blank template of an atom model
Glue
Different colored puff balls
Pencils

Assessment and Follow-Up:

-

I will conduct an indirect assessment, by helping student create their own

models and looking at the finished products.

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http://k6educators.about.com/od/lessonplanheadquarters/a/lptemplate.htm

The introductory lesson above has the objective of giving the students a better
understanding of the atomic structure. The atom lesson includes the three major
types of learn; auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. This lesson directly correlates with
the expectations of students knowledge in the Fifth grade Matter SOL section A,
which states atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds. My higher level
learning will help me in the delivery of this level in multiple ways. Since my high
education has given me fast knowledge on this subject my lesson plan can be very
flexible in the cause of interruption or set-backs. If students seem to have trouble
grasping a concept I have the ability to try to convey information in an alternative
way. Also, in result of my education I can relate basic scientific facts and
information to everyday life, so students can make connections to a subject instead
of settling for a when am I ever going to use this attitude. In addition, I can also
apply basic concepts to fascinating stories or current research to keep the interest
of students in the classroom.