Salts & Umami: Ionic Compounds
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Overview
time:
6
-
8
class periods
standards:
HS-PS1-1, HS-PS1-2, HS-PS2-6
science concepts:
ionic compounds, ionic bonds, polyatomic ions
Summary
Explore ionic compounds- how they form, why they form, and their properties- by making sense of ingredient labels and exploring a primary ingredient behind umami: MSG.
This lesson was recently updated.
Update Date:
June 2026
Summary of Updates
V2 Updates:
● Nuun Tablet Phenomenon: adjustments + more time on modeling
● Lesson 1.2 "Putting the Pieces Together: Ions" — small group work + peer-to-peer emphasis
● Lesson 1.3: more scaffolding for ionic compound ratios (builds on Salt)
● Lesson 1.4: more scaffolding/practice modeling dissolution; Polyatomic Ions + Puzzle Piece adjustments
New Interactives:
● Practice building ionic compounds and ratios (used across lessons)
V2 Updates:
- Nuun Tablet Phenomenon- Adjustments + Additional Time Spent on Model
- Small adjustments to "Putting the Pieces Toghetr: Ions" in Lesson 1.2 (emphasis on small group work + peer to peer instruction)
- Lesson 1.3- Bigger adjustments to making sense of ratios in ionic compounds- more scaffolding/support to first make sense of ratio before adding in elements. Build on ideas on ratios from salt.
- Lesson 1.4- Adjustments to Polyatomic Ions and Puzzle Piece Models to Add in more scaffolding and practice modeling dissolution multiple times
New Interactives
- New interactive to practice building different ionic compounds and make sense of ratio (used in multiple lessons)
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Simulations for this Lesson
Acids Exploration (Preview)
Tea and Temperature
Modeling Smell
How is Tea Made?
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