CK-12 Foundation
Atoms to Molecules: Constructing Helium
Protons and neutrons and electrons, oh my! Physical science scholars get hands-on with interactive atomic modeling. Starting with a simple helium atom, participants create and name ions, then build isotopes. Questions throughout the...
Curated OER
The Atom
If you are beginning a unit of study on atoms, this presentation would be an excellent way to begin! In it, learners discover many facts about atoms. For example, it would take 50,000 aluminum atoms stacked together to equal the...
Curated OER
History of the Atom
This is a tremendous overview of the tiny atom. Journey through the history of human understanding of this basic building block of matter. Examine each of the sub-atomic particles in detail: neutrons, protons, electrons, quarks. Peruse...
Cornell University
What Happens When We Excite Atoms and Molecules?
Excited atoms lead to exciting lessons! Learners use heat and light to excite both atoms and molecules. They display their learning in the form of Bohr models depicting the excited state of the atoms.
Kenan Fellows
What Element Would You Be?
Primo Levi wrote a collection of short stories comparing his life from Italy to Auschwitz to elements in the periodic table. Pupils read an excerpt from his book and research the characteristics of various elements. Then, they make a...
Curated OER
Science Puzzlers, Twisters, and Teasers: Chemical Bonding
What a cute approach to chemical bonding! Atoms all have human names and are attending at a dance. Who will pair up with whom? By reading the characteristics, and not the element name, chemistry whizzes figure out the bonding pairs....
K12 Reader
Elements & Atoms
Study matter in a new way with a cross-curricular assignment for language arts and math. Learners answer five reading comprehension questions after reading a few paragraphs about the periodic table, properties of elements, and how atoms...
It's About Time
Atoms with More Than One Electron
Provide young chemists with the ability to manipulate atoms and predict their results, in this sixth lesson. Pupils analyze energy patterns as they predict the amount of energy required to remove electrons from atoms. They compare trends...
Teach Engineering
Understanding Elements
Nothing says organization quite like a table. The third lesson in a six-part Mixtures and Solutions unit teaches young scientists about elements and the periodic table. They learn how the periodic table is organized and about the...
National Institute of Open Schooling
General Characteristics of the p-Block Elements
The 20th installment in a series of 36 focuses on the characteristics of the p-block elements. Learners discuss, read about, and answer questions pertaining to the occurrence of these elements in nature, their electron configurations,...
Columbus City Schools
Magnificent Mendeleev: An Elemental Tale
Discover how the periodic table tells the story of its elements. Learners begin by studying the makeup of several mixtures. Their analysis leads to a discussion of elements and the periodic table. As they dig deeper, they understand the...
Science Geek
Periodic Table of Elements
Colored boxes with white font present the basic periodic table of elements to your young chemists. All of the basics are included: chemical name, symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, and the number of electrons in each orbital. A brief...
Curated OER
The Atoms Family ~ Atomic Math Challenge
Bold boxes present parts of the periodic table, with some of the contents conveniently missing. Beginning chemists fill in the blanks, which may include the atomic number, atomic mass, atomic symbol, or element name. Beneath each box...
NASA
Atoms, Elements, and Isotopes
Rings and golden nuggets contain the element gold, but how small can you break it down before it is no longer considered gold? A helpful presentation explains the basics about atoms, elements, and isotopes through a presentation.
Curated OER
The Elements
Fifth graders explore the differences between elements. In this elements and atoms lesson students complete an activity that shows how chemicals react to a flame test.
Virginia Department of Education
Elements and Electron Configuration
It's electronic! Pupils uncover elements and their electron configurations as they explore mass, groupings, correct charges, and sliding theory. Young scientists learn creative ways to remember various elements and correctly classify...
Curated OER
Carbon Atom Mobile
Students research the element of carbon, its composition, and the importance of carbon to life on earth. Then they design model mobiles of carbon atoms to demonstrate their understanding of the configuration of protons, neutrons, and...
Scholastic
Study Jams! Atoms: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
What's smaller than a kiwi seed? Atoms! Basic atomic structure is detailed for beginning chemists in a light-hearted animation. Protons and neutrons are explained as part of the nucleus, and so are electrons that encircle the nucleus....
PHET
Build an Atom
Scholars build specific elements by creating a model of its atomic structure. Objects they can include are protons, nuetrons, electrons, orbits, clouds, charge, and mass number. Simulation ends with questions to challenge individuals'...
NASA
Development of a Model: Analyzing Elemental Abundance
How do scientists identify which elements originate from meteorites? Scholars learn about a sample of material found in a remote location, analyzing the sample to determine if it might be from Earth or not. They study elements, isotopes,...
University of Georgia
Resumé of an Element
Class members use the provided worksheet to create a resume for one element from the periodic table. The activity teaches learners about all of the properties of elements and how to read the periodic table.
Curated OER
Atoms and Elements: An Introduction
Students are able to discuss the difference between a proton, a neutron and an electron. They also can explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond. Students know the main structure of atoms and molecules. Student are able...
Curated OER
Atoms, Ions and Formula Basics Make-up Test
Using a copy of the periodic table, chemistry test takers fill in a chart with element name, chemical symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, and numbers of subatomic particles. They define subatomic particles, draw atom models, explain...
It's About Time
Atoms and Their Masses
Are atoms too small to be isolated? Answer this question and more as you provide young chemists with the tools to conduct a hands-on activity demonstrating atomic mass. Pupils explore the mass of copper and aluminum, compare Dalton's...