Structure strips

Atoms and ions | Structure strip | 14–16 years

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Atoms and ions index image

Source: Royal Society of Chemistry

Support learners to recall and write about ion formation and factors that affect it

Structure strips are a type of scaffolding used to support learners to retrieve or find out information independently. They can be used in lots of ways, for example as an overview at the start of the topic, to activate prior knowledge or summarise learning at the end of a teaching topic.

Structure strips are glued into the margin of an exercise book. They are divided into sections containing prompts, the size suggests how much learners should write. Learners write their answers next to the sections, in full sentences. When the learners have finished using the structure strip they should have an A4 page set of notes and examples. The writing process helps students reflect on their understanding, formulate new ideas and make links between ideas in new ways. 

In this activity, learners will describe what happens to each subatomic particle when an ion is formed and explain what affects how easily ions are formed. The structure strip activates information needed to answer a follow-up question on the ions formed by sodium and fluorine atoms.

Research has found that the strongest factor affecting secondary learners’ attainment in science is their literacy levels. This activity will develop learners’ scientific writing skills, combined with targeted reading comprehension. This will support learners studying GCSE courses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for T-level in England, for the Junior Cycle in the Republic of Ireland and National 5 in Scotland.

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