Online Interactive Periodic Table

http://periodic.lanl.gov/default.htm

This site has a visual and a description for each element.

Possible Essential Questions

Below are some possible essential questions that have been used. Remember some essential questions last for an entire year or unit, others last for one lesson. Also remember what is an essential question for one grade level may not be an essential question for an advanced grade level.

Why does baking soda make great paint?

How is being polarized related to polarized sunglasses?

What would you look for when purchasing a car?

Is it okay to lick anything that tests neutral on litmus paper?

What percent of your body weight could you pull?

What is the atomic charge of the Earth?

Classifying Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

http://www.teacherbridge.org/public/bhs/teachers/Dana/Matter.html

If students are learning elements, compounds, and mixtures and have access to computers, this website consists of a classification quiz. There are no high-level questions, but the instant feedback to an individual student's answers to knowledge level questions is useful in helping a student assess what he/she does or does not understand about classifying an element, a compound, or a mixture.

Wordle

http://www.wordle.net/
The wordle website was one of the Internet tools promoted at the Fall ASCD conference. Encourage your students to use the site if they need to create a visual for their writing. You can use it to create word-filled images for more wall decor. Keep in mind, a wordle creation does not take the place of a standard word wall.

Science Fair Topics

The following links contain lists of possible science fair topics http://k12pages.r8esc.k12.in.us/allen/swacs/sciencefair/ideas.html, http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/science_ideas.htm, http://www.region10ct.org/HB/Purple%20Team/samudosky/SCIFAIR

Science Fair Topic Wizard

This site http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_register.php has an interesting wizard that helps students pick a project based on their interest. There are a series of questions the students must answer and then the projects that should interest them are suggested. The problem is the suggestions are actual projects rather than just project topics. Be careful how you use this site!

Chicago Science Fair

Schools are beginning to think about science fairs. Here is the link to the city's science fair information http://www.chicagostudentsciencefair.org/ Here is the specific link to the science fair handbook. http://www.chicagostudentsciencefair.org/Docs/2010Handbook.pdf Last time I checked, the 2010 handbook was not posted, but the link contains a link to last year's handbook. This link http://www.chicagostudentsciencefair.org/Main/documents.html contains the documents needed to be filled out and submitted for approval for certain types of experiments.

"I Can" Checklist for Teachers

Provided here is a link to a checklist for new teachers. The checklist was developed by Golden Apple. It is very accomplishable and positive. Use it as a tool to boost your confidence in your teaching abilities.

http://www.goldenapple.org/filebin/pdf/GoldenApple_ICAN_Checklist.pdf

Multiple Intelligence Online Assessment Link

http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

Women in Science Throughout History

Below is a link to women in the sciences throughout history. The website allows you to view the list by discipline, year, or in alphabetical order. Ideas to incorporate this site's information: a short research project; as a list of possible people to write a letter to; role playing; part of a bulletin board.

http://www.astr.ua.edu/4000WS/discipline.shtml

A link to some probability activities

http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/allgcse/as5act1.pdf

Resource about the heart

Below is the link to a comprehensive PBS resource concerning the heart. It contains many visuals. Note: If you're going to use this resource with your classes, make sure all the pages work on every computer you plan to use. Depending on the computer being used, different Adobe applications may need to be downloaded and installed.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/heart/index.html

Paraphrasing and Plagiarism

As you begin writing projects with your students, situations might arise where students work would be considered plagiarized. The link below provides steps for effective paraphrasing and a practice example.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/619/01/

Chemistry Misconceptions

Here is a simple-formatted but easy to use link concerning misconceptions in Chemistry. Not only does the author list the misconception, wording of the proper conception is included. Check it out and see if it works for you!

http://educ.queensu.ca/~science/main/concept/chem/c07/C07CDTL1.htm

Word Wall Activities for Secondary Classrooms

One idea for your classroom bulletin board is to create a word wall. Even if you're a travelling teacher, you'll generally be given a bulletin board in one of your assigned classrooms. In high school, a word wall should consist of important content terms from the current unit. These words may either be new terms or frequently used content terms. If you have the space and it does not overload the look of the board, you may keep posted the words from prior units.

There are a few general rules you should try to follow. The lettering should be large enough for students to read the words from every seat in the classroom. The font size should be set to 120 or larger. The ideal for word walls is for the students to take ownership and create the actual posted words. Make sure they have a model of what 120 point font looks like.

As for most classroom postings, the letters should be shaded in and the words should not consist of all capital letters. The words should be posted on a colored background to accentuate its existence. The words should be hung as straight as possible. (Do not angle words for artistic appeal). Words and drawings may be something you choose to hang on your classroom walls, however, illustrations should not be part of the word wall.

The link below provides more ideas about developing secondary school word walls. It also includes ideas for whole group, small group, and individual word wall activities you may use in your instructional practice.

http://www.curriculum.org/tcf/teachers/projects/repository/wordwalls.pdf