Two MORE Content Area Websites!

http://education.jlab.org/elementbalancing/index.html

During the chemistry unit, students are expected to learn and understand the Law of Conservation of Mass. The law states that "matter cannot be created or destroyed in a normal chemical or physical change." Part of understanding this concept is being able to recognize that, if one starts with a certain number of specific atoms at the beginning of reaction, then, after the reaction takes place, there should be the exact same number of those specific atoms. Students learn to represent this by writing chemical equations, in which the law must be upheld. So, students learn to "balance" the equation, assuring the same number of atoms occur on both the reactant and product side of the reaction. This also requires following some very specific rules in doing so. This website allows students to practice this concept, and build their equation balancing skills. It can be used both in the classroom, as well as at home by students.

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/

This is a simple site that can have a huge impact on students. It is a site that, in a way, "virtually" illustrates the size of an atom. However, it is not limited to educating students about the atom. Included in the "zoom-in", virtual illustration are many other things from life science and physical science, including cells, viruses, DNA, Proteus, amoebas, and more! Students are able to zoom in and out of the screen, comparing the sizes of all of the objects, starting with items with which they are familiar, like a coffee bean or grain of rice. In the classroom, it can be used as a demonstration in the front of the classroom, allowing students to come to the Interactive Whiteboard to move the slider, or it can be used as an activity where students can be sent in the classroom or at home. It can be used in the life science classroom to help students grasp concepts of cells and cell parts.  It can be used in the physical science classroom when discussing the atom. Other applications are certainly possible.