A Model Concept

Making Models for Understanding.

There are many methods of reaching understanding - all begin with the use of one, two, three, four or all five of our senses.

What we do with the input, the information, the raw "data" we gather, ... is the

How we process for understanding.

Skill + Knowledge = Understanding

The precision of SKILL we use to process the information or KNOWLEDGE,
becomes our UNDERSTANDING

There are so many ways , so many paths to understanding and discovery..

....inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, (favorites of a famous investigator )...logical organization, scientific methodology etc.

One very powerful way is; similarity comparison, metaphor or analogy.
I am proud to share one from one of my students.



For example;

The Periodic table can appear daunting , complex and even a bit scary...



Here is a way one of our own "Sherlock Holmes" clues us into an understanding of the periodic table.


Sherlock;

If anyone needs help with the periodic table? If so read on. ( think about what we're studying in Mr. Nevins class 4.3 especially)

Helium, Neon,Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon, and Ununoctium, they're the plantation owners (Noble gases) and self-sufficient.


-test your knowledge of the Noble elements -




Independent small farmers (Metals) aren't self-sufficient and need help to be whole.

Nonmetals are immigrants that aren't considered high in society, but are still regarded.

Slaves (transitional - the are really odd. find out why!) aren't considered fully human (closer to animals), so they don't fit in with anyone.


Sherlock/yellow

P.S. Hope this helps and I couldn't figure out who the Lanthanide and Actinide Series could be ???

...discovery is fascinating...


And now another investigator continues with metaphor and analogy... how cool is this ?!?

**ALSO...

...and Like how the enslaved natives and the Africans weren't very different from one another (except how the natives escaped slavery and the Africans did not)Alkali metals and Alkali earth metals aren't very different from one another as well...

The main difference between the two is their atomic configuration (an alkali earth metal has two electrons in it's outer-most energy level- valence , and alkali metals only have a single electron, this means that they are both highly reactive).

Alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium) make up Group 1 on the Periodic Table.



Alkali earth metals (beryllium, magnesium, calcium,strontium, barium, radium)make up Group 2 on the Periodic Table.


****To always remember alkali metals & alkali earth metals' places on the Periodic Table is that how the Native Americans were first to escape enslavement then the Africans (alkali metals [the "Natives"] are first to the very left of the Periodic table, then the alkali earth metals [the "Africans"]come right after them...***

-Kaitlyn, Yellow

the Analysis continues: