Lesson Title: Periodic Trends
Topic/Focus Area: Characteristics of Elements

Lesson Overview

The basis for understanding the interactions between elements lies in an understanding of the organization of the periodic table. In this lesson, students will explore trends which occur within groups and families of elements

Subject : Science
Grade : Nine thru Twelve
Strand : Chemistry
Substrand 1 : The periodic table displays the elements in increasing atomic number and shows how periodicity of the physical and chemical properties of the elements relates to atomic structure. As a basis for understanding this concept:

Atomic and Molecular Structure

 

 

Standard:

1c

Students know how to use the periodic table to identify alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and transition metals, trends in ionization energy, electronegativity, and the relative sizes of ions and atoms.

 

Student Learning Objectives

• 1. Students will be able to state periodic trends in ionization energy, electronegativity, and relative sizes of atoms or ions as one moves right across the periodic table or down the periodic table.

Activities

1. Students will explore a minimum of 3 periodic table sites on the internet. Either links or addresses will be provided. Two sites are required viewing, and the third site is student choice.
   
2. As an introductory activity, students will view photos of several elements from the laser disc (Optical Data: Physical Science). The physical characteristics of each element will be noted and elements will be compared as a class discussion.
3. Students will complete a 2 day webquest to collect information on the similarities and differences of elements within groups and periods, including such parameters as sizes of atoms and ions, ionization energies, electronegativities, densities, boiling points, melting points, and chemical reactivity.
4. Students will write a comparative analysis of their findings.
   
5. Teacher will provide instruction on periodic trends.
   
6. Students will observe teacher instruction in how to construct a simple power point presentation using graphics and sound.
7. Students will construct a power point presentation representing their findings of periodic trends and characteristics of elements.

Resources

File Attachments

Rubric
  — trendsrubric.htm   (9.31 KB)

Student Sample - Proficient
  — Trends-Proficient.ppt   (290 KB)

Student Sample - Expert
  — Trends-Expert.ppt   (319 KB)

Student Sample - Basic
  — PP-basic.ppt   (137 KB)

Final Presentation
  — trendsfinal.ppt   (544 KB)

Pre/Post Test
  — preposttest.doc   (21.0 KB)

PrePost Test Chart
  — P2Trends02.xls   (36.5 KB)

Power Point Rubric Scores
  — Rubric Scores.xls   (38.5 KB)

Assessment will be accomplished via a pre/post test and a power point presentation by each student. Students who identified commonalities and trends among elements within groups and families successfully met Standard 1c. Trends should include electronegativity, ionization energies, and size of atoms and ions. Other properties may include reactivity, physical properties such as boiling point, and valence electrons.

A rubric will be used to determine degree of success.

Initially, I did not allow enough time for student exploration of the webquest. Be sure to allow a minimum of two days and limit the parameters they are to include. Also, provide instruction on power point early, so those students who are more advanced can proceed with the power point presentation.