Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Elements and their symbols
Atoms, elements and the periodic table
CCSS NGSS.MS-PS1-1England: KS3 Chemistry: Atoms, elements and compounds
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Elements and their symbols.
- 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.
Leads to: Elements, compounds and mixtures; The periodic table: groups and periods
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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What is the chemical symbol for sulfur? (Mg / Sn / Li / S) → SPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
- Which element has the symbol S? (silver / sulfur / chlorine / tin) → sulfurPrompt: 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 gold. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → AuPrompt: 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: Elements and their symbols. 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: What is the chemical symbol for nitrogen?
- Step 1: nitrogen → N
- Step 2: So the answer is: N
- Answer: N
- 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.
- What is the chemical symbol for nitrogen? (Pb / Nn / N / Cl) → NPrompt: Symbols have one capital letter, sometimes followed by a small letter.
- Which element has the symbol Mg? (oxygen / mercury / lead / magnesium) → magnesiumPrompt: Some symbols come from Latin names: Fe (ferrum), Cu (cuprum), Na (natrium), K (kalium), Ag (argentum), Au (aurum), Pb (plumbum).
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.
- Type the chemical symbol for calcium. Use a capital letter, then a small letter if needed. → CaPrompt: It may come from the Latin name.
- Which element has the symbol Ag? (helium / chlorine / calcium / silver) → silverPrompt: Some symbols come from Latin names: Fe (ferrum), Cu (cuprum), Na (natrium), K (kalium), Ag (argentum), Au (aurum), Pb (plumbum).
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
- 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: Elements, compounds and mixtures; The periodic table: groups and periods.
- 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-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder