Modèle particulaire et activités de modélisation en classe de quatrième

Particulate model and modélisation activities in 4th form (13-14 year-olds). What modelisation activities can pupils of this level cany out ? In the context of the introduction of a particulate model of matter, we present a teaching sequence which enables pupils to put into practice modélisation activities : building, adapting and applying a model. This is achieved by introducing an axiom the terms of which form a basis for systemising the explanations of different phenomena. Pupils are led to produce and to interpret graphic representations, and the relevancy of these in accounting for the phenomena in question is discussed by the class.