Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
Filter by:
26 – 50 of 93 Classroom Resources
-
Periodic Table, Elements, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Disappearing Spoon Reading Questions Mark as Favorite (49 Favorites)
In this activity, students will read a series of passages from the young readers edition of The Disappearing Spoon that are related to the elements in the AACT video series
-
Review, Matter, Density, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Periodic Table, Elements, Mixtures | Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: Chemistry Basics: Crossword Puzzle Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this activity, students will complete a crossword puzzle by solving each clue that is related to a basic, yet fundamental chemistry topic.
-
Elements, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School
Activity: Chemistry Kakuro Puzzle Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use both math and logic to solve a chemistry themed kakuro puzzle. This puzzle differs slightly from a traditional kakuro by first requiring students to use a periodic table to find the atomic number for each element symbol appearing in the puzzle. Using the atomic numbers as starting clues, students then fill-in the empty squares with numbers 1-9 that sum to the value of the clue, but without reusing any digits. This activity is a fun challenge for students, and provides the opportunity to strengthen logic and reasoning skills.
-
Elements, Periodic Table | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Element Matching Puzzle Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this activity, students will become more familiar with select elements from the periodic table. They will use the periodic table to determine the symbol for given elements, and recall any prior knowledge about each element. Then students will be challenged to solve a puzzle by organizing a set of cards that contain jumbled information about these elements. After all of the cards have been correctly organized, a secret message can be found.
-
Periodic Table, Elements | Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: Elemental Mix-up Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this activity, students will test their knowledge of the periodic table as they attempt to unscramble element names and use select letters to solve a mystery message.
-
Periodic Table, Elements, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Disappearing Spoon Video Questions Mark as Favorite (61 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch videos from the AACT original video series, Sam Kean’s Disappearing Spoon. While watching a video, students will answer several questions related to the particular element of focus.
-
Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: History of the Periodic Table Video Questions Mark as Favorite (46 Favorites)
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about how the periodic table was developed and learn about those who contributed to it.
-
Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Atomic Mass, Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Mendeleev Video Questions Mark as Favorite (36 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about Dimitri Mendeleev. They will learn about his contribution to chemistry, including his organization of the periodic table and awareness to leave gaps for elements that weren’t yet discovered.
-
Periodic Table, Electronegativity, VSEPR Theory, Polarity, Molecular Structure | High School
Activity: Making Connections between Electronegativity, Molecular Shape, and Polarity Mark as Favorite (80 Favorites)
In this activity, students will find the electronegativity values of a variety of elements, draw the Lewis structures of select molecules that are made with those elements, and identify the molecular shape of each molecule. Students will then be asked to determine if the molecules are polar or nonpolar based on the electronegativity values of the atoms and the molecular shape. Students will use Ptable.com to find information about atoms and molecules and connect what they find to observable properties.
-
Periodic Table, Introduction, Elements, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Activity: Make a Periodic Table Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this activity students use imaginary elements to create a periodic table based on the known properties of those elements.
-
Molecular Formula, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Geometry, Naming Compounds, Lewis Structures, Periodic Table, Valence Electrons, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Ions, Subatomic Particles | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Ionic and Covalent Bonding Mark as Favorite (122 Favorites)
In this simulation, students investigate both ionic and covalent bonding. Students will have the opportunity to interact with many possible combinations of atoms and will be tasked with determining the type of bond and the number of atom needed to form each. The simulation visually differentiates between the transferring of electrons when forming an ionic compound and the sharing of electrons when forming a covalent compound so that students can have a complete understanding of each. Finally, students will become familiar with the molecular formula, as well as the naming system for each type of bond and geometric shape, when applicable.
-
Periodic Table, Elements, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles | Middle School, High School
Activity: Periodic Table Connect The Dots Mark as Favorite (137 Favorites)
In this activity, students solve a series of clues about elements in order to uncover a message that has been hidden in the periodic table. Using the clues, students draw lines between identified elements on the table, which then connect to form the message. Two versions of this activity are available, varying the difficulty level of the clues.
-
Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass, Valence Electrons, Atoms, Periodic Table, Elements | Middle School, High School
Activity: Mystery Elements Mark as Favorite (73 Favorites)
The students will work in cooperative groups to construct Bohr models of "mystery" elements and record missing information about each element. Students will also create a new "mystery" element card for a classmate to analyze and determine its identity.
-
Periodic Table, Subatomic Particles, History, Introduction, Elements, Atoms, Valence Electrons, Electrons | Middle School
Project: Elemental Art: A Visual Periodic Table Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this activity students will research an assigned element of the Periodic Table and then create a poster that visually explains and expresses the element. The final posters can be arranged into a classroom Periodic Table.
-
Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Elements, Atomic Mass, Electrons, Atoms | Middle School
Activity: Augmented Reality and the Atomic Model Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this project, students will first work with a partner to select a common element from the periodic table to research. They will create a video using iPods to present their research and they will access the Aurasma app on iPods to upload their video. Students will create a trigger image using a picture of the element from the periodic table. Secondly, the students will use the Aurasma App to scan a different element’s trigger image and will use information from another group’s video to construct a model that replicates the atomic structure for the selected element.
-
Elements, Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary, History, Atoms, Model of the Atom | Middle School, High School
Project: Element Baby Book Mark as Favorite (41 Favorites)
In this activity, students will “adopt” an element and create a baby book about their “new baby” while they research and learn about the element.
-
Elements, Model of the Atom, History, Introduction, Matter, Observations, Periodic Table, Culminating Project, Atoms | Middle School, High School
Activity: Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words? Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this activity, students will learn about early chemistry discoveries through a textbook reading as well as from a cartoon.
-
Elements, Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Introduction, Atoms, Electrons | Middle School, High School
Activity: Periodic Puzzler Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will learn about what makes up an atom and how important protons are in the placement of elements on the periodic table.
-
Periodic Table, Elements, History, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding | Middle School, High School
Project: Exploring Elements Mark as Favorite (43 Favorites)
In this project, students will select an element and then use Ptable.com to explore aspects of the element including its periodicity, electron configuration, history, and uses in industry.
-
Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, Matter, Elements, History, Introduction, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School
Animation: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter Animation Mark as Favorite (29 Favorites)
This animation explores the idea that everything is made of atoms, and that since atoms are so extremely small, even small objects contain vast numbers of atoms. Students will see several examples to illustrate this point. Then they will be given a brief overview of the evolution of how people thought about atoms from the ancient Greeks through Dalton. This animation was featured in the May 2022 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**
-
Atomic Radius, Ionic Radius, Electrons, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Animation: Atomic & Ionic Radii Animation Mark as Favorite (70 Favorites)
This animation explores patterns in atomic and ionic radii. Students will look at the different sizes of atoms in the third period and the atoms in the sixth group to see trends across periods and down groups. They will also look at an atom and its corresponding cation as well as an atom and its corresponding anion. **This video has no audio**
-
Atomic Radius, Atoms, Ionic Radius, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table | High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Atomic & Ionic Radii Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
In this activity, students will view an animation that explores atomic and ionic radii. They will look at the different sizes of atoms in the third period and the atoms in the sixth group to see trends across periods and down groups. They will also look at an atom and its corresponding cation as well as an atom and its corresponding anion.
-
Model of the Atom, Electrons, Electron Configuration, Quantum Numbers, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table | High School
Animation: Orbitals Animation Mark as Favorite (140 Favorites)
This animation explores the shapes of the 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, and 3d orbitals and how they build up and overlap as each successive orbital is added. **This video has no audio**
-
Introduction, History, Periodic Table, Elements, Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: What is Chemistry? Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this lesson, students watch a video narrated by Bill Nye, and then complete a SOMA cube to enhance their perspective in the process of discovery.
-
Elements, Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: What Type of Element Are You? Mark as Favorite (36 Favorites)
In this activity, students will take a nine question personality quiz to determine which of four types of elements best matches their personality. They will then have an opportunity to reflect on why their answers led to their final quiz results and to consider what the "personality profile" of other types of elements not included in this quiz might look like.