A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
You may save this Learning Activity to your hard drive as an .html file by
selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s
pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:
Explain to students that they will be working against the clock to put a jigsaw puzzle together.
Divide the students into groups of 2-4 to put a jigsaw puzzle together.
Distribute the jigsaw puzzles.
Set the timer and begin.
The teacher will circulate around the room to make sure all groups are on task.
Stop the timer once there is a winning group, but allow all the groups to complete their puzzles.
Once all the puzzles have been completed, discuss with the students how the finished puzzle looks very different from all the pieces that were used to create it.
Like the pieces of a puzzle, atoms can join together and form a compound by sharing electrons.
Assessment Strategies:
Determine if the students understand how the puzzle and compounds are similar by guiding the students in a class discussion or using Socrative. Use the following open-ended questions on Socrative:
How do puzzle pieces join together? Puzzle pieces join together when the tab of one piece fits into the slot of another.
How do atoms join together? Atoms join together when they share valence electrons.
How are puzzle pieces similar to atoms? They both make connections and create something.
Which parts of the puzzle pieces are similar to the valence electrons in an atom? The tabs of a puzzle are like valence electrons.
Advanced Preparation:
Students should have prior knowledge of the following:
Students must have an understanding of valence electrons.
Students must have an understanding of chemical bonds.
Students must have an understanding of atoms.
Teachers should gather the following materials to complete this learning activity:
Jigsaw Puzzles (I went to Dollar Tree and bought 48 piece puzzles for $1 each.)
Timer
Electronic devices for students to use for Socrative.
Variation Tips (optional):
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
Socrative is an app for fun and effective classroom engagement. Get instant insight into student learning with easy-to-create quizzes, polls, exit tickets and more.