7th Grade Differences Between Physical And Chemical Changes Lesson Plan Example

Topic: Distinguish between physical and chemical changes in matter

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify physical changes in matter and explain the underlying mechanisms involved.
• Students will be able to identify chemical changes in matter and explain the underlying mechanisms involved.

Materials

• Examples of physical changes (e.g. ice melting in water, a piece of fruit rotting)
• Examples of chemical changes (e.g. iron being dissolved in hydrochloric acid, baking soda reacting with vinegar to produce carbon dioxide)
• Diagrams or videos of the reactions involved

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever observed any changes in matter in their everyday lives. Encourage them to share examples and discuss the underlying mechanisms involved.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of physical changes in matter, explaining that these changes involve the structure of the matter but not the elements present (e.g. a piece of ice melting into water). Use examples to illustrate the changes and have students identify the characteristics of the final state (e.g. the liquid state of water).
• Next, introduce the concept of chemical changes in matter, explaining that these changes involve the composition of the matter as well as its structure (e.g. a piece of iron being rusting). Use examples to illustrate the changes and have students identify the characteristics of the final state (e.g. the solid state of rust).

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of materials (e.g. an iron nail, a piece of copper wire, ice, water, and vinegar).
• Have each group identify the characteristics of the final state of each material following a chemical change (e.g. the solid state of rust).

Independent Practice

• Have students work in pairs to conduct a simple experiment to demonstrate a chemical change.
• Have students record their observations, conduct a planning session, and complete their experiment.

Closure

• Have students share their findings with the class.
• Review the key points of the lesson: physical changes do not involve the formation of new substances, while chemical changes do.

Assessment:

• Pass out worksheets with questions about physical and chemical changes, and have students complete them.
• Administer a quiz on the differences between physical and chemical changes.