Water Unit By Luanne LaRose and Kate Stanton Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory Boston University Summer 2002

Introduction to Unit Connect the submicroscopic characteristics of water to the macromolecular phenomena Combines teacher demos, wet labs and computer simulations to reinforce the properties of water

Intended Audience Middle School science 9 th grade physical science 9 th 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  pH  Organic 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 demo Explanation of structure of water Building a water molecule Creating 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 water Students rotate through several stations

Day 4 Density and Temperature Demo of ice and water to introduce density Computer simulation from WATER to show density of ice and liquid water Class 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 rubric Performance- students will demonstrate how several water molecules bond together. Open Questions based on computer simulations Lab questions Creation of lab stations (project)- rubric Homework Quiz