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What happened to the stone gargoyles over time?
Chemical Magic Unit | Performance Task
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What happened to the stone gargoyles over time?

Chemical Magic Unit | Performance Task
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# Unit Review: Anchoring Phenomenon
  • What caused the gargoyle to change over time?
  • What pieces of evidence from this unit have helped you explain the change?

# Unit Review: Key Concepts
  • Substances can change other substances
  • Substances can change but not disappear
  • Acids are very reactive substances
  • Chemical reactions are the mixing of two or more substances that create a new substance
  • Gases are made of particles too small to be seen

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending the Performance Task of this unit.

Activity: Disappearing Eggshell

Follow these instructions, to react vinegar with eggshells and make a naked egg (an egg without a shell)! Eggshells are made of a substance called calcium carbonate, which is the same material the stone gargoyles are made of. The eggshell and vinegar reaction models the reaction between stone gargoyles and acid rain. Try the experiment, and then:

  • Draw a particle model that shows what happens to the eggshell in the vinegar.
  • Pour the vinegar (with the dissolved shell) onto a flat surface (petri dish, plate). Allow the vinegar to evaporate and see what is left behind!

You've completed the Performance Task!

If you have more time, view the extension activity in the extensions.

This was the last Mystery of Chemical Magic.

View the unit's summative assessment .

Featured Reviews

“My students drew awesome models of chemical weathering. They were surprised at what they thought about the gargoyles at the beginning compared to the end. I absolutely loved the performance task.”
· Melissa · Teacher
“It was fun!”
· Kim · Teacher
“All the mysteries supported this performance task well!”
· Jennifer · Teacher

Grade 5

Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Particle Model & Argumentation

5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-2, 5-PS1-3, 5-PS1-4

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In the Performance Task, students complete the final revision of their Alchemist Argument. They create a particle model showing the reaction between the stone gargoyle and acid rain to support their argument.
Preview activity
Final Alchemist Argument worksheet 30 copies
Final Alchemist Argument Rubric teacher-only resource 30 copies
Final Alchemist Argument Sample Model and Response teacher-only resource 1 copy
Prep Instructions

In this performance task, students use their evidence chart to revise their final argument about what happens to the stone gargoyles over time. They create a particle model to show what is happening in the reaction between acid rain and the stone gargoyles to support their argument. If you have time to extend the performance task, there is a hands-on investigation in the Extensions.

Step 1: Plan ahead

Students will need their completed The Alchemist Argument Evidence Chart that they have been adding to after each Mystery.

Students will also need their first The Alchemist Argument worksheet that they completed during the introduction to the anchor phenomenon.

Step 2: Print out worksheets

Each student will need:

Teacher Resource: The Final Alchemist Argument Sample Model and Response will give you a sense of what your students should be aiming to produce. Actual student work can and should vary.

Unit Review

15 mins

Hands-On Activity

40 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

Grade 5

Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Particle Model & Argumentation

5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-2, 5-PS1-3, 5-PS1-4

Extend this lesson

Assessments

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Chemistry Performance Task: What happened to the stone gargoyles over time?

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