1. MATTER AND ENERGY

Elementary

Benchmark 1 "Classify common objects and substances according to observable attributes/properties.

Classroom Connections 1 - Matter & Energy (IV.1.E.1&2)

This lesson plan contains instructional objectives, outline of content, list of materials, instructions, active participation, independent practice and enrichment for measuring temperature ( heat energy) of objects and materials.

Quia! Properties of Matter -Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.1)

This interactive student activity reviews vocabulary covered while studying "properties of matter" using games such as: Flash cards, Matching, Concentration, Word Search. Good activities! Grade 4 applicable.

Science Bob Homemade Slime - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.1)

A recipe for making "slime" from household ingredients demonstrating how unique a POLYMER is because it has qualities of both a solid and a liquid.  This site includes many actiivities and teacher followup lessons for electricity, insects, matter, minerals, seeds, etc.  This is an excellent site for planets, earth and space-body  systems, etc.

Benchmark 2 "Identify properties of materials which make them useful."

Classroom Connections 1 - Matter & Energy (IV.1.E.1&2)

This lesson plan contains instructional objectives, outline of content, list of materials, instructions, active participation, independent practice and enrichment for measuring temperature ( heat energy) of objects and materials.

Insulators and Conductors - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.2)

A student activity/experiment that tests electrical conductivity of various materials using a small battery. This lesson is not interactive, but is a great printble project for classroom experiments.

Simple Electric Motor -Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.2&4,)

Simple Electric Motor: Includes instructions on how to build, where to get the stuff, teacher lesson plans, student instructions, background information and links to: How it works; Trouble shooting; Build it yourself; Assembly instructions; Ordering information; Technical Information and Experiments and applications.  Much more - includes many links for other lessons.

 

Benchmark 3 "Identify forms of energy associated with common phenomena."

 

Ice Tea - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.3) New

Using sun energy, students are given detailed instructions to brew tea.  A cute instruction sheet which is easy to follow.

Kids World - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.3)New

Students learn how coal is used as an energy source. Grade3-5

Line Jumper - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.3) New

This site provides a few activities and experiments that use solar energy to heat a glass of water, to run a car, and make electricity. Good for upper elementary since this site is basically pictures and text.

Roofus' Solar Home - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.3) New

This site provides a few activities and experiments that use solar energy to heat a glass of water, to run a car, and make electricity.  Good for upper elementary since this site is basically pictures and text.

Science Bob Experiments: Bend Water With Electricity - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.3)

An activity/experiment using a comb, running water, and tissue to test the effects of static electricity. Suitable for students to perform at all elementary levels. A paragraph discussing what causes static electricity is included.

Benchmark 4 "Construct simple, useful electrical circuits.(3-5)"

Beakman's Electric Motor - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.4)

The site gives pictures, diagrams, and typical materials that can be used to build a very simple electric motor. Upper elementary students could benefit their understanding of electricity, magnetism, and how an electric motor works better than reading a text.

DTE Energy Kids Club - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.4)

Great interactive activities for students to learn about science, energy and electricity.

Simple Electric Circuits - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.4)

Using observing, communicating and comparing, this site will guide teacher and student inconstructing simple electric circuits.

Simple Electric Motor -Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.2&4,)

Simple Electric Motor: Includes instructions on how to build, where to get the stuff, teacher lesson plans, student instructions, background information and links to: How it works; Trouble shooting; Build it yourself; Assembly instructions; Ordering information; Technical Information and Experiments and applications.  Much more - includes many links for other lessons.

 

 

Benchmark 5 "Describe possible electrical hazards to be avoided at home and at school."

 

Frankenstein's Lightning Laboratory - Electrical Safety - Matter and Energy (IV.1.E.1)

Students click on characters at a haunted house to predict how they are misusing electricity. This is appropriate for students in grades K-4. Younger children will need support with reading.

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Benchmark 1 "Describe and compare objects in terms of mass, volume, and density."

 

Volume, Mass and Density - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.1)

Provides activities to help students explore what Volume, Mass and Density of matter are and how to calculate them.

Your Weight on Other Worlds --Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.1&2)

This is a good site to meet the objectives of description and measurement of weight using a student interactive activity that asks them to compute their weight if they were on other planets. Good graphics, easy to follow instructions for teacher and student. This site requires Java script.

 

Benchmark 2 "Explain when length, mass, weight, density, area, volume, or temperature are appropriate to describe the properties of an object of substance."

 

Air Travelers - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.2) New

This website introduces students to buoyancy, properties of gases, and temperature in the context of hot air ballooning.  There are also videos that show the steps of taking a balloon ride and some history of ballooning.

The Atoms Family -Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.2&4)

Outsanding - This site provides teacher lesson plans, background reading material, and student activities that show molecular movement at different temperatures. The graphics are great, the student or teacher can choose ability level from K-12, and the activities are interesting. Easy to follow directions for students and teachers.

Your Weight on Other Worlds --Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.1&2)

This is a good site to meet the objectives of description and measurement of weight using a student interactive activity that asks them to compute their weight if they were on other planets. Good graphics, easy to follow instructions for teacher and student. This site requires Java script.

 

Benchmark 3 "Classify substances as elements, compounds, or mixtures and justify classifications in terms of atoms and molecules."

 

Atoms - Matter & Energy (IV.1.MS.3)

A well organized interactive site with java models of atoms that students can control and observe how changing the properties affects the results. Over a dozen different interactive models for students. Some models offer controls for friction, gravity and more.

Chemistry for Kids -Matter & Energy (IV.1.MS.3&4)

A good source enabling students to gather information on atoms, molecules, elements, compounds, and mixtures. This site contains information about elements in the Periodic Table. It tells about each element and how it got it's name, how it bonds with other elements and about it's physical properties. Students can take a quiz at the end.

Fifth Grade Science - Matter & Energy (IV.1.MS.3)

This site contains directions and notes for a science demonstration that models the structure of an atom and matter.

 

Benchmark 4 "Describe the arrangement and motion of molecules in solids, liquids, and gases."

Chemistry for Kids -Matter & Energy (IV.1.MS.3&4)

A good source enabling students to gather information on atoms, molecules, elements, compounds, and mixtures. This site contains information about elements in the Periodic Table. It tells about each element and how it got it's name, how it bonds with other elements and about it's physical properties. Students can take a quiz at the end.

The Atoms Family -Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.2&4)

Outsanding - This site provides teacher lesson plans, background reading material, and student activities that show molecular movement at different temperatures. The graphics are great, the student or teacher can choose ability level from K-12, and the activities are interesting. Easy to follow directions for students and teachers.

 

Benchmark 5 "Construct simple circuits and explain how they transfer energy to electrical appliances."

 

Basic Electricity - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.5&6)

Coverage of circuits, basic terminology for simple and parallel circuits, drawing circuits. Also reviews production anduses of electricity. Workbook available with student activities, Adobe Reader needed.

Electrical Circuits - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.5)

This site contains some general information and a list of 6 different activities dealing with circuits. The activities are geared for 4th, 5th and above. Any of them could be modified to a different grade level.

 

Benchmark 6 "Investigate electrical devices and explain how they work, using instructions and appropriate safety precautions."

Basic Electricity - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.5&6)

Coverage of circuits, basic terminology for simple and parallel circuits, drawing circuits. Also reviews production anduses of electricity. Workbook available with student activities, Adobe Reader needed.

The Atoms Family - Matter and Energy (IV.1.MS.6) New

This site has lessons on electrical safety and static electricity.

 

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High School

 

 

Benchmark 1 "Analyze properties of common household and agricultural materials in terms of risk/benefit balance."

 

Chemical Reactions  - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.1&2) New

This site interactively depicts how atoms of elements can combine with one another to form compounds. This site describes how energy is the ability to cause change or do work, including forms of energy: light, heat, electrical energy and mechanical energy, such as movement.

EPA-Office of Solid Waste-Reusable News - Matter and Energy  (IV.1.HS.1)

This site has a list of Newsletters and Bulletins about waste, waste reduction, greenhous gases and federal, state, and local efforts at recycling. They are PDF files. There is an Acrobat Reader download on the site if you don't have it. This enables you to read the PDF files.

EPA-recycling Publications -Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.1)

Explains recycling and why we should recycle. Also has many links to other sites on recycling. Recycling solid waste consumers handbook for reducing solid waste. Includes steps to reduce the amount and toxicity of garbage. Can be downloaded as a PDF file or ASCII text file.

EPA-Office of Solid Waste-Managing Used Oil - Matter & Energy (IV.1.HS.1)

This site contains a PDF file or test format file to download about how to handle used oil. The file explains what is considered used oil, where it can be found, how it is recycled and how to handle spills.

Structure of the Atom - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.1&3)

This site describes all aspects of the atom. It describes the different atomic theories and shows pictures of atomic obitals for better visualization.

 

Benchmark 2 "Identify properties of common families of elements"

 

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.2&3)New

Outstanding - This site describes the structure of an atom and identifies properties of common families of elements found on the periodic table.

Chem4kids - Elements - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.2)

A discussion of the periodic table with a hyperlink to the periodic table section that discusses what the "rows" or periods and "columns" or groups are. The first three rows of the periodic table, on this page, can be clicked on to find out more information about the element.

Chemical Reactions  - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.1&2) New

This site interactively depicts how atoms of elements can combine with one another to form compounds. This site describes how energy is the ability to cause change or do work, including forms of energy: light, heat, electrical energy and mechanical energy, such as movement.

Funbrain.com - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.2)

A game for students to identify symbols for a given lesser known element.

General, Organic and Biochemistry - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.2)

This is a general chemistry site. Links to specific benchmark sites are accessed from this page. Go to the left frame and click on "Periodic Properties". This takes you to some slides that discuss the families and periods of the table. It also discusses metals, non-metals and semi-conductors. There is a summary of the material, a glossary and a practice exam found at the end of this link.

 

Benchmark 3 "Explain how elements differ in terms of the structural parts and electrical charges of atoms"

 

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.2&3) New

Outstanding - This site describes the structure of an atom and identifies properties of common families of elements found on the periodic table.

Bohr's Theory of the Hydrogen Atom -Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

This is an interactive site model of Bohr's atom showing the various energy levels.

Fermilab - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3) New

This site explains and updates the new basic particles of matter and more.

General Organic and Biochemistry - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

This is a general chemistry site. Links to specific benchmark sites are accessed from this page. Go to the left frame and click on "Atoms & Molecules". This takes you to some slides that discuss the particles of an atom, their charges and mass. There is a summary of the material, a glossary and a practice exam are found at the end of this link.

Chem4kids - Atoms - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

This page has links to the atomic structure that has a simple discussion of the sub-atomic particles of an atom, their charges, shells, orbitals, quantum theory and Niels Bohr. Links for "ions" and "compounds" can also be found on their site.

Periodic Table - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

Excellent images of nucleus and electrons for each element.

Structure of the Atom - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.1&3)

This site explains the particles found in the atom, their charges and mass. There is also an explanation of what makes each element unique. The explanations are short and to the point. Atomic theories and orbitals are also discussed.

The Particle Adventure -Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

Great site on the history of atomic structure. Includes animations, questions, and quizzes for the student to work on. Very informative.

Visual Elements Periodic Table - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3) New

Site can be viewed using flash or html. Periodic table is interactive with pictures and movies of 109 elements. Lots of traditional information, but cool stuff too!

Web Elements - Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.3)

Good periodic table site. Atomic number and mass are identified on the table. Students can click any element and read comprehensive description of th element. Description includes physical properties, uses, abundance in nature, etc.

 

Benchmark 4 "Identify and explain how simple series and parallel circuits work in terms of control of the current.."

 

Fundamentals of Electricity- Electronics 101- Matter and Energy (IV.1.HS.4)

This site contains information on series and parallel circuits. It includes the idea of resistance and current. There are links at the bottom of the page and follow Number 10 through 15 to complete the entire discussion. Problems using Ohms law are included.

 

 

Benchmark 5 "Describe how electric currents can be produced by interacting wires and magnets, and explain applications of this principle."

 

Fundamentals of Electricity - Matter & Energy (IV.1.HS.5)

This site contains information on electromagnets. A lot of diagrams are included. There are links at the bottom and click on 18 - 20 to view the full discussion of electromagnets.

Simple Electric Motor - Matter & Energy (IV.1.HS.5)

This site provides instructions on how to build, where to get stuff, a teacher lesson plan, student instructions, and background information on building a simple electric motor. This site contains links to: How it works; Trouble shooting; build it yourself; Assembly instructions; Ordering Information; Technical information; Links; Experiments and Applications.

THE ELECTRIC CLUB (And/Or Circuits) -Matter & Energy (IV.1.HS.5)

Demonstrations and explanations are given on how current must travel to complete a circuit. It talks about what needs to connect in a series or parallel circuit. Tells how current flows.

THE ELECTRIC CLUB (Make an Electromagnet) Matter& Energy (IV.1.HS.5)

When the circuit is complete, the coil of wire around the nail has a magnetic field. Acting like a magnet, the wrapped nail will attract the paper clips. When the circuit is broken, the magnetism does not all disappear at once.

 

 

 

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