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TEACHING THE LEWIS STRUCTURE AND MOLECULE FORM BY USING CORK, CARDBOARD
AND WIRE USED
Yunis Eka Putra, S.Pd, M.Pd
Sekolah Indonesia Jeddah
Saudi Arabia

Abstract
One cause of low activity, understanding and students’ learning outcomes in the
subject matter lewis structure, molecule form and polarity of the compound is the
unavailability of real models for learning this subject material at school. One of the real
model that can be used are existing materials in the school, such as cork, cardboard and
wire used. Cork is used to make a circle as a symbol of electrons in learning lewis
structure. In learning the circle of molecule form taking act as the atom to be linked with
the wire used to describe a particular molecule form. Learning by using cork, cardboard
and wire used conduct to understand the structure of the Lewis and molecule form can
increase students’ activity significantly compared with the classical learning done in the
previous lessons. Learning Lewis structure and molecule form by using cork, cardboard
and wire used can increase students’ understanding to describe the Lewis structure in
concrete and develop students' understanding in three dimensions about molecule form
that they have learned in abstract and by seeing pictures on the book contained in the
book or other learning resources. The improvement of understanding also improve the
students’ learning outcomes that can be seen from the average of students’ learning
outcomes at the end of the lesson

1. Introduction
Science process skills-based learning emphasizes the ability of learners to find
their own knowledge based on experience learning, laws, principles and generalizations,
so it provides opportunity for the development of higher level thinking skills. Learning to
strengthen the process of learning and authentic assessment is carried out to achieve
attitudes competence, knowledge and skills. Competence skills will last longer than the
knowledge competence, while attitude will be needed and addicted always for the
learners. One competency to be achieved by students is analyzing the theoretical number
of pairs of electrons around the nucleus of atoms (Electron Domain Theory) to determine
the molecule form. The basis theory for studying the basic competence is the Lewis
structure and molecule form. The Lewis structure was known by Gilbert N. Lewis in 1916.
Lewis introduced the Lewis structure or electron dot notation or Lewis dot structure that
uses dots around the atomic symbols to represent the outer valence electrons of atoms.
While the form of the molecule describes the arrangement of atoms in a compound in
three-dimensional space. One of theories to explain the molecule form is VSEPR theory is
based on the style of the electrostatic repulsion between electron pairs.
The problems occur when the teacher explains the concept of Lewis structure is
the placement of electrons around the element binds based on the number of valence
elekron of it. The sketch of the valence electron as a point in a paper or a board generally
makes students difficult because they have to write electron and its arrangement around
the atom repeated by trial and error in order to get the right structure. Repeatedly
writing makes students need more time to understand the types of structures lewis.
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Besides writing also make the students’ note not be structured so that sometimes they
are lazy and difficult to review and understanding the material at home.
Another problem is when the teacher explains the concept of molecule form by
using lecture method and only use the blackboard as a medium to draw the molecules
form in one dimension, in fact there are many students who are not able to understand
the form of the molecule in three dimensions. Example of the problems is the students
are not able to differentiate the form of triangular planar molecule with a triangular
pyramid, because the one-dimensional images of molecules form of a planar triangles
and triangular pyramid are similar, especially for the teacher who does not mastered the
technique of drawing a three-dimensional drawing.
In addition, from my observation, the concept is difficult to understand by the
students because it is abstract. To implant this concept takes the real or concrete
learning model. To solve these problems, in learning chemistry on the concept of
molecule forms have to use props. The use of props chosen because basically students
have difficulties to imagine and appreciate a form of abstract molecule becomes more
apparent. To help students to understand the concept of molecule forms usually required
props called molymod. By using props is expected to help students to understand the
terms of molecule form, such as linear, trigonal pyramids, trigonal planar, tetrahedral,
angular, bipiramida trigonal, tetrahedral distorted, T form, and others. Problems arise
when the props needed are not available at school for various reasons. To solve the
problem the authors are interested in creating visual aids to help students to understand
the concept of Lewis structure and form of the molecule. In learning, Lewis structure of
cork’s circle is used as valence electrons, while cardboard is used to print the symbol of
the element. Molecule forms of sphere cork which is colored acts as an atom, while the
former wire or needle used for connecting function as chemical bonds. If the cork is
connected by the wire to another sphere of corks based on composition compounds and
certain angle according to the theory of it, it will give a distinctive form so that, in
addition it explaining the molecule form of the former cork sphere series is also able to
explain the theory of electron domain.

2. Method
Props used is made from simple equipments are easily available around the
school without cost. Sphere cork used as valence electrons, while cardboard is used to
print the symbol of the element in learning Lewis structure. Students describe Lewis
structure based on the theory of textbooks available. Molecule forms of sphere cork
which is colored acts as an atom, while the former wire or needle used for connecting
function as chemical bonds. If the cork is connected by wire to the other sphere of cork
based on the arrangement of its compounds and certain angle according to the theory
of it, it will provide molecule forms of these compounds. Understanding about Lewis
structure and form of the molecule will giving convenience for students to determine
the nature of polar compounds.
Implementation of learning by using the principles of learning 2013 curriculum,
by using props that have been designed. Learning stages of Lewis structure are follow:
a. Learning begins with apperception activities to identify and solidify students'
base knowledge about the configuration of electrons, valence electrons and
covalent bonds. Simple configuration electron based on the atomic shell, valence
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electrons and covalent bonding structure needs to be mastered by the students


because it is a basic for determining the structure of Lewis compounds.
b. Students read and collect information about Lewis structure from chemistry
textbooks. To be able to describe the structure of the Lewis compounds, the
students need to understand the principles of writing compounds Lewis
structures that have been set.
c. Teachers confirm the students’ knowledge by using information about writing
the Lewis structure of Brady textbook.
d. By using props that have been made by the students to apply Lewis structure
knowledge by compiling symbol of Lewis of some the elements given and Lewis
structures of several compounds were given.
e. Students describe Lewis structures created with props to their notebook.
f. Discussion about things that the students have not understand yet.
g. Students make conclusions about the rules of the Lewis structure from the Lewis
structure material being studied.

Furthermore, to study the molecule form, the stages of learning it generally show
as follow:
a. Learning begins with apperception activities to identify and solidify students' base
knowledge about the configuration of electrons, valence electrons and covalent
bonds..
b. Students read and collect information about the molecule form and the VSEPR
theory.
c. Teachers confirm the students’ knowledge by using information about writing the
Lewis structure of chemistry textbooks.
d. By using props that have been made by the students to apply knowledge of VSEPR
theory to construct the molecule form of some the compounds given so various
forms of the molecules are gotten based on the theory.

3. Result and Discussion


a. Students’ Activity
Learning activity is an activity undertaken to produce changes of knowledge,
values, attitudes and skills of the students as an exercise carried out deliberately. In
learning process, active learners is a major factor in achieving learning objectives.
Students learning activities using props from the former cork, cardboard and wire
former to understand the Lewis structure and the molecule form observed is greatly
improved from the classical learning which is usually done on previous learning. Learning
activities that increase can be observed during the learning process. Team work of the
students to count the elements valence electron that involved in the formation of
compounds. Furthermore, students make Lewis structure and molecule forms of the
compounds defined.
During the learning process the students contribute ideas in the group and doing
interaction with their friends to get the appropriate compounds of Lewis structures and
molecule forms. Students write Lewis structures composition that they got actively,
developing the creation to understand the structure compound that is assigned. Besides,
the students in a group doing discussion actively such as asking, answering and
responding to the questions about the Lewis structure that have been produced.
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In learning activities of Lewis structures students are active in groups to write


the electron configuration elements contained in the compound, counting the number
of valence electrons of all elements in the compound, arranging possible structure of the
compound, putting the valence electrons around the atomic bonded, and arranging it
valence electrons to make Lewis structures based on the rules laid down in the rules of
the Lewis structure. Students put the valence electrons with various possibility to getting
the correct structure.
In learning activities to understand the molecule form the students active to
determine the form of compound molecule given based on the VSEPR theory and
determine the bond angles in the compound formed. Then students active to arrange
the cork and wire former that has been prepared to produce appropriate molecule form.
The bond angle is formed by using a bow provided to make three-dimensional
representation of each molecule forms of the compounds given. This activity gives a very
important benefit for students because they can get direct experience of arranging
forms of compound molecules, it can develop capabilities based on the possibilities of
arranging molecule forms, fostering cooperation within the group, to develop critical
thinking skills, and create a dynamic learning atmosphere to get good learning
achievement.

b. Students’ Understanding about Lewis Structure and Molecule Forms Materials


In general, learning activities are carried out on the material of Lewis structure
and molecule form by using props such as cork, cardboard and wire can increase the
students’ understanding about how to describe the Lewis structure in concrete and
increase the students' understanding in three dimensions on the molecule forms which
they have learned in the abstract and by looking at pictures on textbook. During the
learning the students are able to calculate the element of valence electrons in the
compound, arranging the structure of compounds molecule, and determining the Lewis
structure of the compound given based on the existing rules of Lewis structures.
Students are able to make compounds with a single bond arrangement like CCl 4, double
bond, like CO2, and triple bonds, like N2.
Students' understanding about the Lewis structure can be seen by the students’
ability to put and slide the cork electrons so that each element is able to achieve a stable
electron configuration with 8 electrons. Students are also able to determine the
possibility of the double and triple bonds formation. Students’ understanding also can
be seen from the students' ability to arrange conjugation structure of some compounds
given.
Developing students’ understanding in studying molecule forms can be seen
from the students' cooperation ability to determine the possibility of molecule form and
the valence electrons based on the compounds given. Students are able to determine
the number of valence electrons compound, bonding electrons and pairs of free
electrons from the centre of atom compound given. After getting the molecule form of
the compound, the students are able to discuss about the possibility bond angle of the
resulting compounds. Then, students’ understanding can be viewed on their ability to
arrange the molecule forms by using cork and wire former provided. Students are able
to define and measure the bond angles within the compound by using bows available.
Besides the students' ability and understanding of Lewis structure and molecule forms
materials also can be seen from the results of the students’ daily tests in particular
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issues concerning the Lewis structures and molecule forms achieve expected
achivement.

c. Students Learning outcome


In general, students’ learning outcome after learning by using props is very
good. 28 students among 30 students of class XI IPA achieve mastery learning that
already set up, 75, while the two students still under the set value of mastery learning.
Students who scored under the specified on passing grade of competence (KKM) said
he did not recall the name of molecule forms after getting the amount of pairs of
bonding electron and pairs of free electron even though they claim to have understood
the material and concept of molecule forms based on the domain theory of electron or
VSEPR theory

4. Reference

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