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Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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.
  1. What is the chemical symbol for potassium? (P / K / Pt / Po) → KPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
  2. Which element has the symbol He? (fluorine / nitrogen / lithium / helium) → heliumPrompt: Some symbols come from Latin names: Fe (ferrum), Cu (cuprum), Na (natrium), K (kalium), Ag (argentum), Au (aurum), Pb (plumbum).
  3. Type the chemical symbol for iodine. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → IPrompt: It may come from the Latin name.

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which family does helium belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
  2. Which family does neon belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which family does lithium 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?
  2. Which family does iodine 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?

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

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The periodic table: groups and periods

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Use the periodic table. Which period (row) is sodium (Na) in?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Is silicon (Si) a metal or a non-metal?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca
    • A. metal
    • B. non-metal

  3. Question 3

    Which family does sodium belong to?

    • A. alkali metals (group 1)
    • B. halogens (group 17, also called group 7)
    • C. noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)

  4. Question 4

    Use the periodic table. Which period (row) is argon (Ar) in?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Is fluorine (F) a metal or a non-metal?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca
    • A. metal
    • B. non-metal

  6. Question 6

    Which family does bromine belong to?

    • A. alkali metals (group 1)
    • B. halogens (group 17, also called group 7)
    • C. noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)

  7. Question 7

    Is aluminium (aluminum) (Al) a metal or a non-metal?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca
    • A. metal
    • B. non-metal

  8. Question 8

    Use the periodic table. Which period (row) is carbon (C) in?

    1H2He3Li4Be5B6C7N8O9F10Ne11Na12Mg13Al14Si15P16S17Cl18Ar19K20Ca

    Answer

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Answer key: The periodic table: groups and periods

  1. 1. 3

  2. 2. B. non-metal

  3. 3. A. alkali metals (group 1)

  4. 4. 3

  5. 5. B. non-metal

  6. 6. B. halogens (group 17, also called group 7)

  7. 7. A. metal

  8. 8. 2