Learning to Love Lewis Dots

Grade Level: 10-11 Subject: Physical Science, Chemistry Prepared by: Linda Bennett, Naperville Central High School/College of DuPage Overview and Purpose: Elements physical and chemical properties are determined by their valence (outermost) electrons. Understanding how valence electrons interact is one of the keys to predicting: 1) whether elements will form ions and bond ionically or share electrons and bond covalently, and 2) whether covalently bonded molecules will contain single, double or triple bonds. Drawing Lewis Dot structures let students map how valence electrons electrons interact, yet they can be tedious to draw and difficult to visualize. Incorporating the iPad app Lewis Dots created by Jin Kim Montclare and NYU-Poly students will allow high school chemistry students to physically move valence electrons around on screen, create proper bonds, and easily identify the type of molecule formed (ionic or covalent). Educational Standards (Illinois State Learning Standards) Solving Problems: Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose solutions supported by reason and evidence. Making Connections: Students will recognize and apply connections of important information and ideas within and among learning areas. Using Technology: Students will use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate results. State Goal 12.C.4b: Analyze and explain the atomic and nuclear structure of matter. Objectives: Skills/information that will be learned

Students will use the periodic table to determine the number of valence (outermost) electrons of any element based on its Group 1A number. Students will create Lewis Dot structures to represent the valence electrons of metals and non-metals and their ions on the iPad using the Lewis Dots app Students will understand how valence electrons interact and be able to identify if the elements involved form ionic or covalent bonds Students will transfer the knowledge learned by using the Lewis Dots app to draw proper lewis dot structures based on chemical formulas.

Materials Needed: Periodic Table (preferably with Groups 1A and 1B labeling), or students can access one of these Peridic Tables online: http://www.webelements .com/ or http://www.chemicool .com iPad with Lewis Dots app by Jin Kim Montclare installed Other Resources: Electron Dot Diagram video posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6QZRBIO0-o Lewis Dot Structures by Paul Groves (educreations): http://www.educreations .com/lesson/view/unit-8-lewis-dot-structures/609494/ (Optional) Large white boards, white board markers, and a box of poker chips per every 4 students Required Prior Knowledge/Provided Information:

1. Definition of an atom and summary of its parts (nucleus, protons, neutrons, 2. 3. 4. 5.

orbitals, electrons) Definition of an ion and understanding of how ions form Basic structure of the Periodic Table including how to read elemental symbols Location of metals versus non-metals on the Periodic Table Definition of an elements valence (outer shell) electrons vs. its total electrons

Verification: Students will show understanding and mastery of this topic by:

1. Correctly whiteboard the Lewis Dot Structures of five ionic and five covalently
bonded compounds in class using individual whiteboards (not iPads).

2. Taking (and if necessary retaking) a study guide/quiz on Lewis Dot structures

using QUIA (www.QUIA.com). Target score is 85% or higher. 3. Drawing Lewis Dot structures on the unit exam being given only chemical formula for an element, molecule or compound. Activity: After a brief whole-group Q&A session to make sure everyone remembers prior learning on the parts of the atom, the definition of valence electrons, and the basics of the Periodic Table (primarily group numbers and the locations of metals, non-metals, metalloids) students will be given 20 minutes to explore and play with making molecules and compounds using the Lewis Dot app on their iPads. Students will then do exit slip practice using individual whiteboards and whiteboard markers; I provide the chemical formula, and they will each draw the Lewis Dot diagram then identify the molecule or compound as ionic or covalent.

Notes The iPad app Lewis Dots, while excellent, well-reviewed and popular among teachers and students alike does have a few drawbacks that might frustrate students at first. On our schools iPads the program only functions properly when orienting the iPad vertically; since the students ipads are in a ZAGG hard-shell case this can be a little awkward.

The elements display fairly small and the zoom feature is a little twitchy, so students who have trouble seeing small objects may become frustrated. The optional large white boards and poker chips were my original manipulatives when teaching Lewis Dot diagrams, and I still keep them as a stand-by. Students liked the original activity because each poker chip represented one valence electron and by using different color poker chips for different elements made it easy to see where the valence electrons were shifting. Students finding the iPad app frustrating at first may start off going a little old school then easing into the app.

Suggested Molecules and Compounds to Use The iPad app Lewis Dots does not include all the elements on the Periodic Table. Instead it focuses on the ones we most commonly use in general high school chemistry to introduce the basic concept of Lewis Dot structures. Metals: H, Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba Non-Metals: C, S, N, O, F, Cl, Br, I

The app works great for practicing compound like MgO, Li3N, H2 but I would not recommend it be used to explore the structures of polyatomic ions like nitrates or sulfates Lewis Dots does not let students draw the brackets or add the ion charge information for polyatomic ions. Want to Learn more about the Lewis Dots app? http://cable.poly.edu/issue/winter-2012/ news/campus -buzz/chemistry-teens-ipad-fun