I chose to investigate the periodic table of elements for this week’s blog. As a teacher of elementary students, this is a concept that I have found to be difficult for them to understand. There is such a great deal of information on the periodic table of elements in regards to how compounds are formed, elements react and combine, yet because we cannot see exactly what is happening, students have a difficult time grasping these abstract concepts.
During an internet search, I found the following resources to use in my classroom with my students. There are interactive games to show how elements react, molecules and compounds form, and chemical reactions. It also provides reproducible activities. Some of the sites also include videos for the students to use. I found them easy to navigate and user-friendly. I believe that my students will enjoy their explorations.
These interactive sites allow the students to explore on their own during 2, maybe 3 computer lab periods. With individual exploration time with a partner, students will be able to play the games and view the interactive portions of the sites at their own pace. These tools will help students become literate for the 21st century because they are web-based resources.
One challenge that I may face using these resources for my students is the internet sites themselves. Our district tends to “block” so many sites from our students, even educational sites, that it is sometimes a challenge to take them to the lab. Computers are not always working or software updates have not been completed. We do not have a computer lab tech, so we are at the mercy of the district lab techs to take care of the site labs for us. One more casualty of the California budget crisis.
Interactives: the periodic table
Element/Periodic Table Games and Quizzes - interactive and printable
matter, elements, atoms, reactions, biochemistry, and activities
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