OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this unit is to develop an understanding of how substances form, and what they are made out of. During our studies it is also hoped that students will better understand the relationships between all matter, as well as the safety issues that come from mishandling and misusing chemicals. STEPS:
We will begin the unit by exploring the smallest functional unit of matter, the atom. From there we will explore what causes the variety of atoms that make up all matter.
Next we will examine how different atoms combine to make the substances that we use everyday and rely on for our survival.
Finally, we will explore what happens when different substances interact with each other to produce chemical reactions. GRADING:
Students will be graded based primarily on quizzes along the way, that will check for understanding of individual concepts. Students will also be graded on their ability to understand element structure as determined by a series of atom drawings they will complete. Finally, students will be graded on their ability to apply these concepts to their own lives by way of two short research papers, one on DHMO, the other on a chemical or substance of their choice.   
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