Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes
The periodic table: groups and periods
Atoms, elements and the periodic table
CCSS NGSS.MS-PS1-1CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-1England: KS3 Chemistry: The periodic tableEngland: KS4 Combined Science: Atomic structure and the periodic table
Objective and success criteria
Students will: The periodic table: groups and periods.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Elements and their symbols
Leads to: Protons, neutrons and electrons; Group 1: the alkali metals and their trend; Group 7: the halogens and displacement
Materials: Periodic tables, Atom model kits, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Elements and their symbols). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What is the chemical symbol for nitrogen? (Mg / N / Ni / Ne) → NPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
- Which element has the symbol Si? (sulfur / phosphorus / silicon / oxygen) → siliconPrompt: Some symbols come from Latin names: Fe (ferrum), Cu (cuprum), Na (natrium), K (kalium), Ag (argentum), Au (aurum), Pb (plumbum).
- Type the chemical symbol for mercury. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → HgPrompt: It may come from the Latin name.
Hook · 3 min
- Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
- Share the objective: The periodic table: groups and periods. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which family does sodium belong to?
- Step 1: Group 1 metals are soft and react vigorously with water; reactivity increases down the group.
- Step 2: So the answer is: alkali metals (group 1)
- Answer: alkali metals (group 1)
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which family does potassium belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → alkali metals (group 1)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
- Which family does fluorine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which family does chlorine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
- Which family does sodium belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → alkali metals (group 1)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Elements and their symbols.
- Use concrete materials: periodic tables.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Protons, neutrons and electrons; Group 1: the alkali metals and their trend; Group 7: the halogens and displacement.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder