Lesson Title: Introduction to the Periodic Table
Topic/Focus Area: Chemistry/Periodic Table

Lesson Overview

This lesson is designed to introduce students to the Periodic Table. Students take a Pre-test to assess prior knowledge, then consult interactive websites for assistance in completing their own personal copies of the Table. They then select a common element, do research into the major characteristics of that element, and present their findings in the form of a powerpoint presentation or a poster. They then take the pre-test again (now called the Post-Test) to assess their learning.

Student Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to answer questions about the basic organization of the Periodic Table.
• Students will be able to place common elements in their correct places in the Periodic Table.
• For one element, students will learn (research using internet and other sources) key information, such as atomic and mass numbers, electron configuration, and known isotopes. Students will then present this information to the class in a Powerpoint presentation or a poster.
• For their chosen element, students will identify other key characteristics, such as melting temperature, density, hardness, and conductivity. Students will include this information in their powerpoint presentations or posters.

Activities

1. Introductory:
   a) (pretest) Students are given a Periodic Table with several blank spaces and a list of missing elements with "clues" and are asked to place the elements in their proper places. They are also asked several questions about the Periodic Table.
   b) (engage) Students are shown an Interactive Periodic Table website and are directed to spend time there, using information found there to begin completing their own blank Periodic Table.
2. Enabling: Given a "hotlist" of appropriate websites, students will explore interactive Periodic Tables and websites that deal with isotopes in order to learn more about atomic structure and isotopes, as well as to continue completing their own personal copies of the PT.
3. Culminating: Each student (or pair of students) will choose one of the most common elements (or one of the first 18) and prepare a Powerpoint presentation that will help the class learn about that particular element in depth.
4. Review (direct instruction): Teacher will lead a review session in which students are prompted to recall information about the Periodic Table and about their classmates' element presentations. This may include or be followed by a "Jeopardy" style game to make sure key concepts have been covered.

Resources

File Attachments

Pre- and Post-Test for This Lesson
  — Introduction to the Periodic Table of the Elements.doc   (29.5 KB)

Beryllium ppt by md--advanced
  — Beryllium by Marco.ppt   (238 KB)

My Powerpoint Template
  — slide_template[1].ppt   (56.5 KB)

advanced poster: Fluorine
  — Fluorine poster.jpg   (309 KB)

basic poster: Helium
  — helium poster by br &kh.jpg   (277 KB)

3 Chlorine posters
  — 3 chlorine posters.jpg   (396 KB)

proficient poster: Argon
  — Argon by kd &av.jpg   (342 KB)

Raw Data - Student Results
  — Student results.xls   (24.5 KB)

Basic ppt - Sulfur
  — basic ppt - sulfur.ppt   (217 KB)

Proficient ppt - Aluminum
  — proficient ppt - aluminum.ppt   (3.27 MB)

Advanced ppt - Neon
  — advanced ppt - neon.ppt   (88.5 KB)

Pre- and Post-Test
  — Introduction to the PT_ Pre- and Post-Test.doc   (30.5 KB)

My Final TWT Project Powerpoint
  — new PT ppt 5-27-02.ppt   (4.98 MB)

Revised ppt 5-27-02
  — Intro. to PT (ppt 5-27-02)   (4.97 MB)

Element Research Assignment with Rubric
  — Element Research Assignment.doc   (20.5 KB)

Isotopes in Brief (student handout)
  — IsotopesinBrief.doc   (29.0 KB)

Element Research Project Scoresheet
  — Element Research Project Scoresheet.doc   (21.0 KB)

Assessment will take three forms:

1. Each student will construct a copy of the Periodic Table, using information obtained from interactive websites.

2. Each pair of students will prepare and present a Powerpoint presentation or a poster, which will be assessed using a rubric that specifies (based on the standards) the information to be included for each element.

2. Individual students will be given a pretest and a posttest in which they will be asked to place elements in the correct places in the Periodic Table as well as answer questions about the organization of the Periodic Table.

Goals for all assessments are 80% of students scoring 70% or better.

This lesson also addresses these NETS Technology Standards:

3. Technology productivity tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

4. Technology communications tools
Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

5. Technology research tools
Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.