Exploring the Periodic Table

This course will discuss the main piece of decor in every chemistry classroom- the periodic table. Learn about the mysteries hidden in this giant table of knowledge and use that knowledge to solve a chemistry mystery in the last week of the course!

By the end of this course, students should be able to:
-Describe the history of the periodic table
-Describe the symbols on the periodic table and their meaning
-Identify the groups of the periodic table and determine which group an element belongs in based on its properties or position on the periodic table
-Define atomic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy, and electron affinity
-Arrange elements by increasing or decreasing atomic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy, and electron affinity
-Use the periodic table to determine where a mystery element should be placed

Course Schedule:
***Week 1***
In-Class Activity: Arrange your own periodic table- students will be given time to arrange cards into a periodic table. We will discuss each student's results and debate which arrangements are best.
Lecture and Discussion: A brief history of the periodic table and the basic structure of the modern periodic table.
Homework: Periodic table scavenger hunt- students will use their newfound knowledge of the periodic table to complete a scavenger hunt

***Week 2***
Review of Last Week: Go over periodic table scavenger hunt and discuss answers
Lecture and Discussion: Groups of the periodic table
In-Class Activity: Comic book elements- given information about a comic book element, students will decide where it should be on the periodic table and justify their choice to classmates.
Homework: Periodic table haiku and matching activity on groups

***Week 3***
Review of Last Week: Students will share their haiku and we will review the matching activity
Lecture and Discussion: Periodic trends
In-Class Activity: Graphing atomic radius- we will graph the atomic radius of the first two rows as a class to see the trend for atomic radius
Homework: Elemental March Madness- students will be given a bracket of elements and compare periodic trends to determine the Elemental Final Four

***Week 4***
Review of Last Week: Students will compare their elemental champions and discuss their results
Lecture and Discussion: A look at alternative periodic tables
In-Class Activity: Periodic Table Review Game

***Week 5***
In-Class Activity: Periodic Table Escape Room- students will use their knowledge of the periodic table to escape from the lab in this fun escape room activity!


There is no previously required background knowledge for this class.