The Chemical Basis of Life > Lessons

 

Lesson 6: “Mother Nature’s Marvelous Menu 1”

 

 

     Topic: Crunchy complex carbohydrates      Grade Level: 12       Duration: 60 min.

                  

                                                                       

Student Objectives: Students will be able to:

1.  compare mono-, di-, and polysaccharides and then provide examples of their usefulness to a living system (2.2)

2.  understand key science concepts: C14 problem solving, and C21 synthesizing 

4.  become independent learners (IL)

 

 

Curriculum Orientation:    Transaction

 

Instructional Method:      Learning activity package (Independent study)

 

Materials:                             Ice cream pail, prize (e.g. chocolate bar), pail of homemade chocolate chip cookies, carbohydrate learning activity package (one per student) (see student handout package), and class set of biology textbooks                              

 

Review:                                  Play “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” (For instructions see end of

     (15 min.)                             lesson).  Use the following questions:

 

1.  An atom with an atomic number of 8 has: A) 8 protons B) 4 protons plus 4 neutrons C) 4 protons plus 4 electrons D) 4 neutrons plus 4 electrons

2.  The sharing of electrons is characteristic of: A) ionic bonds B) covalent bonds C) hydrogen bonds

3.  Which group of elements combine to form practically all the chemical compounds in living things? A) Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Oxygen B) Carbon, Hydrogen, Phosphorus, Nitrogen C) Carbon, Sodium, Chlorine, Oxygen  D) Sulphur, Phosphorus, Carbon, Oxygen

4.  Atoms of the same element that differ in mass have the same number of protons, but a different number of: A) electrons, B) energy levels, C) neutrons

5.  Photosynthesis is an example of a: A) decomposition reaction B) synthesis reaction

6.  Are responsible for water’s special properties: A) covalent bonds B) hydrogen bonds C) oxygen atom D) ionic bonds

7.  Carbon is often called the unparalleled element because of its

 

ability to: A) form four single covalent bonds with atoms like C, N, O, S B) form chains of unlimited length by bonding with other carbon atoms C) form carbon rings D) form a large number of large compounds

8.  Polymerization is the process whereby: A) polymers are constructed by joining together monomers B) polymers are broken down into monomers C) macromolecules are broken down into polymers

9.  Which of the following do not contain carbon? A) organic compounds B) methane C) inorganic compounds

10.  Is an example of an exothermic reaction: A) elephant toothpaste B) baking a cake C) fridge D) light bulb            

 

 

Presentation ( 45 min.):

 

A.  Motivational Set:          Share with the class a pail of homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Tell them that in this class they will study carbohydrates.  Ask if any of the students can tell you what carbohydrate is found in the cookie they are eating (table sugar: sucrose, and other starches).  Tell the students that starting today they will be cooking with mother nature as they study the four groups of organic molecules.

                       

 

B.  Activities:

     ( 44 min.)

 

 Teacher Activities

1.  Distribute one copy of the learning activity package on carbohydrates to each student.

                                                2.  Go over what is expected of the students with this assignment:

                                                            - establish a due date for the start of next class

- tell the students that it is an individual effort and that the assignment will be marked and counted towards their final grade

- encourage the students to use the textbooks to find the answers

3.  As the students are working, complete anecdotal records of the students’ behavior and work habits.  Also be available to answer questions and facilitate the students.

           

 

C.  Key Questions:               Same as those found in the learning activity package.

 

D.  Homework:                      Remind the students that the carbohydrate assignment is due at the

      (1 min.)                              start of next class.  Thus, if they did not finish it in class they are to complete it in their own time.            

 

 

Evaluation:                            Formative: During the lesson, make anecdotal records of the students as they work independently (see evaluation section).

Summative: At the beginning of next class, collect the students’ assignments and assign a mark out of 35.  The assignment will count for 17.5% of their final grade.  Also on the unit test, choose questions that will represent material from this lesson.