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Subject: Science
Topic: Chemistry of Living Things
Grade Level: 8
Student Lesson name and URL:
ctap295.ctaponline.org/~ssinclai/student/

Standard 6: Principles of chemistry underlie the functioning of biological systems.  Students will know:

a. carbon, because of its ability to combine in many ways with itself and other elements, has a central role in the chemistry of living organisms.

b. living organisms are made of molecules largely consisting of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur.
 

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1. understand the difference between organic and inorganic chemistry.
2. build and create different models of carbon molecules.
3. recognize the carbon has the ability to make 4 covalent bonds.
4. recognize what a polymer is.
5. examine different types of polymers.
6. create a polymer.

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This unit will take approximately two weeks (including pre & post testing) and consists of 5 activities.  Students will research a website " Carbon is 4 ever", create models of carbon molecules, build a polymer and create an informational poster on carbon chemistry.
 

Introductory Activity

Gather several (12-15) objects that are based on carbon: food (fresh and processed), oils, perfume, pencil, wood, diamond jewelry ( keep on teacher finger), plastics, plants, etc.  Brainstorm with class the common links between these objects.  This can be done either as a whole class activity or in small groups with a reporter who will then share during a class discussion.  Record the results on overhead or large recording poster. 

Then follow with a short reading activity on Carbon Bonding. 
Recommended middle school textbooks are Prentice Hall - Science Explorer, Holt - Physical Science or Glencoe - Science Voyages.  Students should take notes from their reading.  (Cornell notes are recommended.)

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In the second activity, students will visit the web site Carbon is 4 Ever and find answers for the questions on carbon facts, bonding, compounds, atom structure and the periodic table. 

Next, using molecular model kits, teams of students will construct different carbon compounds. After constructing the models, they will draw the models, including bonds and different elements.

In  "Playing with Polymers" students will create a polymer, then explore the different properties that polymers possess.

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The lesson concludes with the creation of a informational poster on Carbon Chemistry, which includes pertinent facts on properties, compounds and uses in modern society.

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This lesson was implemented in late March, early April 2001. Over 160 students participated in this lesson.  Results from 36 students (approximately 24% of classes) were analyzed for this project.  Three types of analysis were conducted:

• Pre and post test analysis
• Scatter plot analysis of post test results and number of activities completed by each student
• Comparison of female and male students' achievement

Findings

• Students showed an average improvement of 4.3 points from pre to post-test following completion of six carbon chemistry activities.
• There was a positive correlation between the number of activities completed by students and their achievement on post test.
• Female students scored almost 1 point less on the pre-test.  Post test scores were essentially identical for male and female students. 

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Introductory Activity
No web sites

Continuing Activity
A.  Carbon is 4 Ever web site
B.  Carbon is 4 Ever worksheet
C.  Building Carbon Models
D.  Playing with Polymers
E.  Teacher Prep Instructions

Culminating Activity
A.  Carbon Chemistry Poster Instructions
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Final Presentation
 

Sharon Stevens Sinclair
teacher_sinclair@yahoo.com
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School 
1290 Ivey Ranch Road
Oceanside, Ca     92057

Last Revised: 04/25/2001