Decision tree: what type of bonding?

A decision tree is a visual representation of the route you take to find an answer. It plans out thinking and breaks it down into a series of decisions to make. 

This resource supports the article Scaffold learning with decision trees where you can find more ideas for how to make and use decision trees in your teaching. 

Introduction 

How would you identify the type of bonding in a substance based on its name or formula?

A decision tree is a visual representation of the route you take to find an answer. It plans out thinking and breaks it down into a series of decisions to make.

How to use this resource

A decision tree is a visual representation of the schema an expert might use to find the answer to a question. It can support learners by scaffolding that thinking to help them access the knowledge they need to answer questions.

Use this pre-prepared decision tree once you have taught the structure and bonding topic.

• Introduce the decision tree working through the examples on slides 3–5.
• Be prepared to modify it, add hints or recap learning if any sticking points arise.
• Ask learners to use the decision tree when answering questions that summarise the topic, e.g. past examination questions.
• Gradually remove the scaffold the decision tree provides by using spaced retrieval activities carefully designed to support retention of the key decisions or knowledge.