Last week I did a post on the fabulous Elements 4D resource from Daqri. Students can learn about the elements and compounds that can be made from some of them by using the free lesson plans now offered on their site. Combine these plans with the free downloadable elements cubes and the free augmented reality app and you have a formula for success!
To add even more impact to your chemistry lessons, check out this great site that TED-Ed now offers. In a collaborative project with film-maker Brady Haran, TED-Ed has produced videos to explain every single element of the Periodic Table. Just click anywhere on the TED-Ed interactive Periodic Table, and take a look at the magical properties of any element!
You not only get to see each element, but demonstrations of them in action, such as the video of a hydrogen balloon exploding when exposed to heat.
Many of these are not demonstrations that could easily be done in a typical school science lab, so the videos are a good supplement to a hands-on curriculum.
Even if you do not have the elements in your scope and sequence, you may want to keep this site in mind for students who show an affinity or curiosity for science. It would be a great resource for independent research or Genius Hour projects.
I really enjoy reading your blog and this is another excellent post. The resources you have collected for studying the elements are great. Tonight, I played around with Elements 4D, which I will use with my third graders in a couple of weeks. Then, I got hooked on the TedEd Interactive Periodic Table. I’m not sure my third graders would be ready for them, but I’m having a hard time walking away.
Thanks so much for your comment. Your 3rd graders are going to love those cubes! They are fortunate to have you as their teacher!