Atoms and molecules | Structure strip

Learning objectives

1. Recognise and draw diagrams of atoms and molecules.
2. Explain the relationship between atoms and molecules.
3. Write independently about atoms and molecules, using the suggested key words.

Introduction

Atoms are the building blocks of all substances. They are the simplest unit of matter that retains the properties of the element. Atoms make up everything from the materials we use to build, to the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Very few substances exist as simple atoms, most substances are made up of atoms chemically bonded together to form molecules. In this structure strip, you will explore the relationship between atoms and molecules.

How to use structure strips

Structure strips are a type of scaffolding you can use to support learners to retrieve information independently. Use them to take an overview at the start of the topic, to activate prior knowledge, or to summarise learning at the end of a teaching topic. For more ideas on how to use structure strips with your learners, visit 5 ways to use structure strips effectively. 

Structure strips have sections containing prompts, sized to suggest the amount that learners must write. Learners glue the strips into the margin of an exercise book and write their answers next to the sections, in full sentences. When learners have finished using the structure strip, they should have an A4 page set of notes and examples.

The strips are printed five to a page and will need to be trimmed to size. Find them on the second page of the student sheet.

Scaffolding

• Encourage learners to use the suggested key words and phrases in their answers. 
• To further support learners, include additional prompts in the structure strip. If learners are struggling to engage with the task, supply them with sentence starters created from the example answers. In prompt three, you could provide a useful hint by asking learners about what the subscript 2 represents.
• As learners grow in confidence, ask them to attempt the extension question first and then use the structure strip to improve or self-assess their answer.

Key words

Atom, molecule, element, compound.

Metacognition

This resource supports learners to develop their metacognitive skills in three key areas.

• Planning: the strips provide scaffolding to plan the written response. Learners will decide where to gather information from (textbooks, own notes, revision websites). Ask learners: is the source of information you are using reliable?
• Monitoring: learners are prompted by the questions in the structure strip and can check their own answers against the prompts. Ask learners: have you covered all of the prompts in the space provided? Do you need to change anything to complete the task?
• Evaluation: learners can self-assess or ask a peer to check their work against the answers. Ask learners: did you achieve what you meant to achieve? What will you do differently another time?

Answers

Suggested answers for the structure strip activity are given in the downloadable teacher notes.

Answer to extension question

Learners are asked to produce a model of a molecule, using modelling materials. Or if no materials are available, learners can draw a molecule. An example answer is offered in the teacher notes  as a guide.Learners are asked to produce a poster, an example is offered in the teacher notes as a guide. Learners are asked to produce a poster, an example is offered in the teacher notes as a guide.