Virtual Reality/Simulation Idea
I hate that I haven't found this simulation sooner, this would have been a beneficial resource last year. In 7th Grade Science, we cover Properties of Matter last. In this unit students learn the basics of chemistry which requires them to recognize and understand symbols, molecules, balanced equations, etc. I plan to implement this model as an introduction for teaching the standard I have included on this page, balancing equations, as well as a reinforcement of symbols and molecules for which I will have already taught at this point.
Balancing equations is difficult material to teach 7th graders, especially for struggling math learners. Last year, my students were able to master the standard, however it required a lot of teaching, re-teaching, practice, and tutoring. I feel as if one reason they struggled is because they were not able to visualize what it was they were doing. To them, they understand the symbols represented elements from the Periodic Table, but when combining these element symbols into an equation, I believe all they got from it was that they had to have the same letters on both sides. I had one set of molecule models to build in order to help with understanding, but some students still weren't able to grasp the concept. This simulation not only will be the building block for chemical equations, it will also allow each and every student to have the opportunity to interact hands-on and visualize what it is they are actually doing and provides a working definition of a balanced equation.
Balancing equations is difficult material to teach 7th graders, especially for struggling math learners. Last year, my students were able to master the standard, however it required a lot of teaching, re-teaching, practice, and tutoring. I feel as if one reason they struggled is because they were not able to visualize what it was they were doing. To them, they understand the symbols represented elements from the Periodic Table, but when combining these element symbols into an equation, I believe all they got from it was that they had to have the same letters on both sides. I had one set of molecule models to build in order to help with understanding, but some students still weren't able to grasp the concept. This simulation not only will be the building block for chemical equations, it will also allow each and every student to have the opportunity to interact hands-on and visualize what it is they are actually doing and provides a working definition of a balanced equation.