The Atom as a Model

The Stop Faking It Series are excellent books that approach topics conceptually. In a true learning cycle style, the reader is asked to perform several simple activities before the science ... See More

The Stop Faking It Series are excellent books that approach topics conceptually. In a true learning cycle style, the reader is asked to perform several simple activities before the science is explained. The book chapters always include the contents of the entire book as well as the index and glossary which are helpful in giving a holistic view of the book. Simple Models leads the reader to discover how a model of the atom was developed and the reasons we use models. This chapter would be an excellent resource for a middle school teacher or a teacher teaching out of content. It’s also interesting reading for one who has a chemistry education background.

Simple Models from SFI - Chemistry Basics

This chapter, in fact the entire book, is an excellent resource for new teachers, teachers teaching out of field, and teachers who haven't had to teach chemistry concepts in a long time. Th... See More

This chapter, in fact the entire book, is an excellent resource for new teachers, teachers teaching out of field, and teachers who haven't had to teach chemistry concepts in a long time. The chapters are structured as inquiry for teachers. They begin with "stuff to do" followed by a discussion of the results which is finally followed by "the science stuff" - an elaboration of the concepts. One wonderful aspect of the way that NSTA has offered this resource is that rather than simply offering the chapter out of context, the preface and glossary for the entire book are provided to make the chapter even more useful and contextual. Specifically, this chapter provides a little history of models of the atom in the context of a variety of activities. For those willing to engage in the book as it is designed, there is potential for improved pedagogical knowledge as well as content knowledge.