Valence Electrons Extra Credit Lesson
Valence Electrons Extra Credit Lesson
Valence Electrons Extra Credit Lesson
Overstreet
Subject: Science
Unit: Atoms
Date: 3/8/2015
Defining Success
Students will understand that the number of protons is what identifies an element.
Students will be able to identify some elements of the periodic table through the amount of protons.
Students will be able to define valence electrons and demonstrate what they are.
Students will be able to correctly draw the rings of an atom with the valence electrons on the outer rings.
- Colored pencils.
When students are done with the chart, I will call on each group to explain what they did and
any patterns they noticed when they were working on their periodic tables. I will ask them
what they think a valence electron is. No matter the answers they give me, Ill explain that
the valence electrons are the electrons on the outermost shell of the atom. I will pick certain
students to tell me how many valence electrons a certain element has. After we discuss a few
examples, I will explain that the valence electrons are what participate in the forming of a
chemical bond and that the presence of valence electrons can determine its chemical
properties.
ELABORATE: 30 min
To elaborate on the concept, I will take student volunteers (if I dont get any, I will pick
several students) to demonstrate valence electrons to the class. We will use the element,
Magnesium, as an example.
I will have two students represent the electrons on the inner shell and have them stand back
to back. While I do that, I will ask questions like why am I only putting two students on this
shell? (Hopefully, the students will answer that its because only two electrons can go on the
first shell like they learned earlier). I will take the next eight students and put them on the
second shell and ask students why I am only putting eight students there, and hopefully I get
a similar answer. The last two students will be put on the outer shell and I will have them
walk around / circle the group. I will ask the other students what the difference between
those two students and the rest of them are. (Ill probably get answers like they are moving,
etc.) I will ask if they are stable or unstable. When students tell me that the two on the outer
shell are unstable, Ill take the two away and ask what the atom is now and they will
hopefully tell me stable.
I will have the students return to their seats to continue working on their periodic tables. I
will ask them to then identify the metals, non-metals and noble gases using three different
colors to identify each one.
EVALUATE: 10 min
Students will turn in their periodic tables for a grade.