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Atoms Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of atoms. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Atoms 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Atoms Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Atoms 5E Lesson, students will be able to calculate mass, describe the charge of atoms, identify atoms, and describe the basic structure of atoms.

distance-learning Distance-Learning Ready

The Atoms Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will create a model of an atom based on the Bohr model.

The Atoms Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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The Atoms Sub Plan is a complete lesson that takes students through a warm-up, reading passage, independent activity, extension activities, and an assessment.

The worksheets are designed to make your sub day a breeze for you, your students, and the substitute teacher. They are also perfect for distance learning.

distance-learning Distance-Learning Ready

Escape Rooms Title

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about atoms. All of the following experiences are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Escape Rooms

The Atoms Escape Room is an immersive experience for your students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of atoms through interactive puzzles and challenges.  

Students must use what they have learned about protons, neutrons, and electrons. They will need to know their location
 and charge and be able to identify valence electrons on a Bohr model or an element symbol to complete the escape room.


Explories - A Complete NGSS Storyline

Explories are NGSS units that integrate a storyline and project-based learning with Kesler Science Inquiry Labs, Station Labs, and 5E Lessons. The Explories unit below is also included in the Kesler Science Membership .

building

CAUGHT: An NGSS Study of Forensics

Welcome to CAUGHT. This is an NGSS unit that integrates a storyline and projects with existing Kesler Science inquiry labs, station labs, and 5E Lessons. In this unit, students will be sent through a fictitious Forensics Academy to learn chemistry principles and evidence-gathering skills they need to solve a non-violent crime.

"Have you ever watched a crime show and said to yourself, 'I should be an investigator; I could totally solve that!'? Now is your chance to show off your crime-solving skills.

Congratulations! Your class has been accepted into the Forensic Academy!

Through this unit, you will move through levels of training and earn badges as you prove your skills.

Your preparation starts with an introduction to the nervous system and sensory processes. You will then be ready to complete the first project with a focus on the collection and analysis of crime scene evidence.

Next, your coursework will include chemistry lessons that will give you the tools to analyze collected evidence such as lipstick and blood. By the time you are ready to graduate from the Forensics Academy, you will have a complete Rookie Handbook of information.

This handbook will be of utmost importance as you attempt to solve your first case with your field partner. Good Luck Recruits!"


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the atoms unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • What is the basic structure of atoms?
  • How is an atom's mass calculated?
  • Which subatomic particles are electrically charged?
  • Where are the three main subatomic particles located?
  • How do protons determine an atom's identity?
Standards
  • MS PS1-1 - Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures
  • TEKS Science 8.5 A - Describe the structure of atoms, including the masses, electrical charges, and locations, of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons in the electron cloud
  • TEKS Science 8.5 B - Identify that protons determine an element's identity and valence electrons determine its chemical properties, including reactivity

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.