Virginia SOL 6.5.d

Science6th GradeMatter

The Standard

two or more atoms interact to form new substances, which are held together by electrical forces (bonds)

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how atoms join in specific combinations to make substances with different properties. They connect bonds to electrical attraction between charged parts of atoms.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can use a particle diagram to distinguish bonded atoms from separate atoms. The student can explain that electrical attraction holds the bonded atoms together.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think atoms simply touch, or that model sticks are physical pieces inside matter. They may also think a compound keeps the properties of its elements, or that any nearby atoms are bonded.
How to Assess It: Show one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms beside three separate atoms. Ask students to identify the bonded group and explain what holds it together.

Lesson moves

Build water and carbon dioxide particles with colored clay balls and toothpicks, then label each toothpick as a model of electrical attraction.
Compare hydrogen, oxygen, and water, then write two sentences explaining why the bonded substance has different properties from the starting elements.
Play Bond or Nearby by sorting particle cards into bonded groups and separate atoms, then justify each choice using the diagram.
Inspect a rusty nail and a clean nail, then explain how iron and oxygen form a substance with different properties.

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