Digital Media Atomic Structure Lesson

One topic I plan on teaching this coming school year is the structure of atoms. To start off the lesson I would have students watch a short video to introduce them to structure of atoms. (Click here to watch the 17 minute video on atomic structure. You will need an account with Discovery Education to view it.) I would give them the included video quiz to help them have specific details they would be looking for throughout the video, and to check their understanding of it immediately afterwards. Then together we would choose one element from the periodic table. I would draw and project the image through the document camera, and have the students draw it as well - either on a tablet or piece of paper that they will share with me. After discussing the structure, I would let students choose, on a collaborative Google doc, which element they would like to study and present to the their peers. Their assignment would be to create a short video clip of themselves explaining the details of their element, and to use whatever materials they want to construct a 3D model, such as a hanging mobile, of the atomic structure. Or, they could make an animated powerpoint of their element to show the movement of the parts of the atom. To do all of that they would need to research their element online, or use an app of the periodic table if we purchase one. Another fun activity to include in their presentation would be to video record a group of students working together to act out the atomic structure of an element by each posing (or moving) as their assigned part. To conclude the lesson, students would post their presentations on a class wikispace, which I would help them with, and then comment on each other's presentations. Their feedback could include how their classmate's element's atomic structure compared to their own. 

My goals through this lesson would be to:

1. quickly provide some highlights (video) about atomic structure so they have some background knowledge to work with
2. motivate them to remember important facts about the topic (quiz)
3. draw and discuss an atom's structure together (document camera)
4. give students some ownership by letting them choose an element that interests them (google doc)
5. have students synthesize what they learned with me and their online (internet) research to create a presentation (video / powerpoint)
6. have students work in a group to act out an element's atomic structure (video camera)
7. have students share their presentation on a classroom webpage (wikispace), and give feedback on each other's presentations

With all of these activities combined, there would be multiple ways and times for me to check my students' understanding of the topic. In addition to making assessment more convenient for myself, these various ways would enable students with various strengths and learning styles to showcase their understanding with me and the class in a way that would be fun and natural for them. If any students struggle with how to accomplish any of the above goals, I could encourage peer-to-peer mentoring. As we all know, when you teach somebody else a skill or concept, your chances of remembering that skill or concept is a lot better.