TeachersFirst Atoms - Science Resources
This curated list of resources will help you research information about atoms. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may be more challenging reading, while others may offer solid basic information. Be sure to try several sources. There are resources for elementary, middle, and high school levels.
View all of our resources tagged atoms here.
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3D Periodic Table - Google
Grades
9 to 12
tag(s): periodic table (46)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to track what the elements are used for. Students can use Google Drawings,reviewed here to compare and contrast the different sections of the periodic table. Finally, students can use Figma reviewed here to create a melting and boiling point diagram.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Atom Learning - Twinkl
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): atoms (42), elements (30), periodic table (46)
In the Classroom
After learning about atoms and elements, have students use craft materials (beads, pipe cleaners, or clay) to build models of simple atoms, showing protons, neutrons, and electrons. Using Twinkl's Structure of the Periodic Table worksheet, organize a class competition where students complete a jigsaw-style puzzle of the periodic table. Have students explore everyday objects (like salt, aluminum foil, or water) and identify the elements or compounds they're made from using Twinkl's Properties of Materials resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Build an Atom - Making Matter
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): atoms (42), periodic table (46)
In the Classroom
Provide colored balls, stickers, or beads representing protons, neutrons, and electrons, and have students work in small teams to physically construct atom models based on chosen elements from the Periodic Table. Use the PhET "Build an Atom" simulation to let students manipulate protons, neutrons, and electrons. Have students choose an element and research a common isotope of that element. They can prepare a creative presentation such as a comic strip using Witty Comics, reviewed here or a poster explaining its atomic structure, real-world uses, and why isotopes are essential in fields like medicine or archaeology.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Atomic Structure - PBS Learning Media
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): atoms (42)
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post questions or comments. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes while completing the activity. Have students work in small teams to build a model "atom" using colored balls or stickers (protons, neutrons, electrons). Each team can race to assemble the correct number of subatomic particles based on atomic number. Use the interactive tutorial on the site to have students manipulate virtual atoms -- adding or removing particles and observing changes in element identity or charge.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Wonder of Science - Paul Andersen
Grades
K to 12tag(s): biodiversity (34), chemicals (37), climate (94), earth (188), ecology (109), ecosystems (90), energy (136), environment (244), forces (45), genetics (82), life cycles (21), light (55), matter (48), molecules (41), motion (53), oceans (137), planets (123), sound (71), space (234), stars (78), weather (166)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-have for all science teachers, providing high-quality lessons and teaching materials. Be sure to visit the Phenomena section to find the Master List of Phenomena Google Document, which shares suggestions for observable science events, or to find phenomena by grade level. Engage students in learning by sharing videos on this site, then use edpuzzle, reviewed here to add questions and focus comments to the videos to support student learning. Use the ideas and resources on this site to create flipped and blended learning lessons or playlists to encourage students' choice of learning activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Adventures in Chemistry - ACS
Grades
K to 8tag(s): atoms (42), density (20), matter (48), molecules (41), weather (166)
In the Classroom
Include activities and experiments on this site with your other chemistry resources when planning lessons. For example, engage students as they learn about molecules by asking them to play the included games, then use a whiteboard tool such as FigJam, reviewed here, and ask students to add sticky notes with what they learned from playing the game. Extend learning beyond completing the experiments by asking students to share details of the experiment and describe the chemical process involved in the activity using a simple website creator such as Carrd, reviewed here. Be sure to include pictures taken during the experiment that show the step-by-step process.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bozeman Science - Paul Anderson
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): advanced placement (24), animals (261), atoms (42), body systems (41), chemicals (37), ecosystems (90), elements (30), energy (136), evolution (88), human body (91), OER (37), planets (123), plants (136), plate tectonics (28), pollution (55), population (52), rock cycle (25), solar energy (34), solar system (122), stars (78), weather (166)
In the Classroom
Be sure to take advantage of this extensive collection of videos in any upper-level science classroom. Be sure to include this site on your class webpage for students to access both in and outside of class for further practice. Embed a video onto your website to use for flipped lessons - have students watch the video before coming to class to participate in additional learning activities. View the Educational video portion of the site to find teaching ideas for your classroom. Use this site as a model, then ask students to create video explanations using a tool such as Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Beautiful Chemistry - Institute of Advanced Technology, Univ. of Sci & Tech at China
Grades
5 to 12In the Classroom
In Chemistry, students can write what the molecules are doing during the video to connect the content with what they see. Give different equations and predict what would be different in that video such as the color of the precipitated substance, and so on. In younger grades, show the beauty of molecules and elements interacting and forming new substances, tapping into the marvel of the physical world. These videos are beautiful, and will appeal to visual learners.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Molecular Workbench - Dr. Charles Xie and The Concord Consortium
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): atoms (42), chemicals (37), experiments (60), gravity (48), mass (21), matter (48), science fairs (18), scientific method (50)
In the Classroom
The Molecular Workbench is perfect for use on interactive whiteboards or projectors. Share simulations with students and explore options within each simulation to view changes. Create a link to simulations on your class website and allow students to explore at home. Ask students to write a blog post for each simulation completed at home. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, have students create blogs sharing their learning and understanding using Penzu, reviewed here. Challenge students to download the software and create their own explorations. Have them use a screencast tool such as Awesome ScreenShot, reviewed here, to show evidence of their work and share with others. Use Molecular Workbench as an excellent option for challenging gifted students or for use when creating science fair experiments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science News Explores - Society for Science and the Public
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): news (219), science fairs (18), scientific method (50), scientists (69)
In the Classroom
Be sure to check the Educators section to find articles by curriculum topic. Use this site as a resource for current events projects or to relate classroom material to students lives and the world around them. Use the articles by finding an interesting tidbit of information to capture student attention before the start of a new content unit or chapter. Be sure to point out that science discoveries have led to the information about the natural world that we presently have today. Challenge cooperative learning groups to investigate one of the topics and create a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Be sure to include this link on your class page for students to find interesting articles and information about Atoms and Forces, Earth and Sky, Humans and Health, and more. Add the RSS feed from this site to your class Flipboard account.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ParrMr - Mr. Parr
Grades
4 to 9tag(s): animals (261), atoms (42), cells (81), climate (94), dna (52), energy (136), human body (91), matter (48), molecules (41), moon (83), motion (53), rock cycle (25), water cycle (25), weather (166)
In the Classroom
Play songs on an Interactive Whiteboard or Projector for the entire class. Embed videos on your teacher page for review by students. Use these songs as an introduction to units. After viewing a video, brainstorm to identify words students know or are not familiar with. Copy the lyrics into a document and, as you discuss the material in class, encourage students to annotate the lyrics with notes about the content. Be sure to play the video often throughout the unit to reconnect with material. Challenge your more musical students to team up with a class poet to write your own songs-- for extra credit and extra fun!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Science Spot - Mrs. Tomm
Grades
4 to 9This site includes advertising.
tag(s): atoms (42), cells (81), earth (188), ecology (109), forensics (12), insects (60), measurement (114), motion (53)
In the Classroom
Use the information on this site to find interesting demonstrations or facts to use when planning your lessons. Use these ideas as part of an inquiry lesson that encourages the students to be investigators and ask the questions. Students can also be the demonstrators in class. Encourage them to find an interesting idea or demonstration to perform in front of the class and "teach" the other students. Alternately, students can videotape or podcast their demonstration for viewing later on your class website. For podcasts use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. To share videos, use a site such as SchoolTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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On-Line Biology Book - Michael J. Farabee, Ph.D
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): animals (261), atoms (42), bacteria (18), body systems (41), cells (81), evolution (88), genetics (82), human body (91), molecules (41), photosynthesis (19), plants (136)
In the Classroom
Include this site on your class web page for students and parents to access as a reference or use for enrichment. Use this site as inspiration and have cooperative learning groups create online books using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here. Are you flipping your classroom? Use this site along with other online resources as part of your at-home learning resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Video Animation - Russell Kightley media
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): atoms (42), cells (81), colors (61), diseases (58), dna (52), earth (188), electricity (60), energy (136), engineering (134), geometric shapes (130), light (55), machines (17), molecules (41), solar system (122), sun (83), vision (40), waves (13)
In the Classroom
Use the simulations to help explain topics and concepts in class. Language arts teachers can use this site as a source for nonfiction reading comprehension. Science and language arts teachers can use the site as a learning center for students who need enrichment. Find great animations to help visualize various topics from different viruses to diesel engines, the Doppler Effect, to the garden sundial, and the vertical sundial to name just a few. Check the readability of the animations you want students to use on their own by using the The Readability Test Tool reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CK-12 - CK-12 Foundation
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): atoms (42), cells (81), charts and graphs (166), decades (7), energy (136), equations (114), fractions (158), genetics (82), inequalities (25), landforms (36), measurement (114), oceans (137), organisms (11), periodic table (46), probability (95), pythagorean theorem (18), rocks (43), scientific method (50), seasons (55), solar energy (34), solar system (122), statistics (113), STEM (330), test prep (63), variables (14)
In the Classroom
Introduce CK-12 to your students (and parents) on your interactive whiteboard and demonstrate ways to use the site at home. Be sure to create a link to the site on your class website or blog for easy access at any time. Create an account and upload your own resources and activities to create your own flexbooks for use with students. CK-12 is available in many languages. Use this site with your ESL/ELL students as a supplement to classroom resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quarked! - The Quarked! Project and Professor Alice Bean
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): atoms (42), electricity (60), geometric shapes (130), matter (48), measurement (114), molecules (41), nutrition (132), solar energy (34)
In the Classroom
Visit the site as part of your classroom study of physics. Share videos and/or interactives from the site on your interactive whiteboard to complement existing lesson plans or plans from the site. Then allow students to explore on their own. Provide the link to this site on your desktop for students to visit during indoor recess (in elementary school). In older grades, be sure to list this helpful link on your class website for students to access both in and out of the class. Have students investigate specific activities or information available on this site and create online books using a tool such as Bookemon reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Build an Atom - Keithcom.com
Grades
10 to 12tag(s): atoms (42), periodic table (46)
In the Classroom
Use this simple illustration to find patterns among atoms at the start of a unit on atoms. Students view and brainstorm the rules of arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons together. Use a think, pair, share and then discuss these rules with the rest of the class to build notes on atomic theory. Find the atoms that share the same column in the periodic table to find what they have in common in terms of orbitals and electron configuration. Create flashcards with information on index cards or using any multimedia program to use to create an interactive periodic table to study from or to add periodic trends as the class continues to uncover properties of elements.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CanvasMol - alteredqualia.com
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): atoms (42), elements (30), molecules (41), periodic table (46), structures (15)
In the Classroom
For many students, envisioning how molecules are put together is challenging. Identify how many atoms are put together, including how many bonds they form by using this as an introductory, inquiry activity. Have students use information learned here to create their own models using a drawing program such as Google Drawing, reviewed here, or use more conventional material like marshmallows and gum drops that are always a hit! Identify the atoms in the molecules on this site and research the effects of these molecules in living systems.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Animations - Sumanas, Inc.
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): animation (58), atoms (42), cells (81), meiosis (8), mitosis (9), molecules (41)
In the Classroom
Share the interactives on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have small groups view the animations together and create online multimedia presentations to share the topics they learned about with their peers using Swipe, reviewed here.Use as an introductory activity with or without accompanying questions you create to get kids thinking. Discuss as small groups or a class what is happening throughout the animation and what they notice. Follow with lab activities or building their own models to demonstrate understanding out of simple art materials. Use this activity to reinforce complex and difficult to see concepts.
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Chemistry: Challenges and Solutions - Annenberg Media
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): matter (48), molecules (41), simulations (41)
In the Classroom
Use these interesting videos as an introduction to a unit or as a review at the end. Use the videos and interactives as an exploratory activity to get students thinking and to highlight information to help in the understanding of lab results. Assign cooperative learning groups specific topics to "watch" and report back to the class using a multimedia presentation. Have groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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