Using The Periodic Table Of Elements
To Create Models Of Atoms

Mr. Conant · Memorial Middle School ·Beverly, MA

Teacher's Page

Goals

To introduce the students to the different sections of the periodic table (i.e. families, periods, metals, nonmetals, metalloids and rare Earth metals).
To introduce the students to the components of an atom, protons, neutrons, and electrons as well as inform students where these parts appear in the atom (nucleus or shells).
To review the concept of models and how they can be used to represent real - life examples.

Objectives

Students will explore the provided links to learn about the different characteristics of the periodic table of elements (i.e. families, periods, metals, nonmetals and metalloids).
Students will study the periodic table to learn about the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in different atoms. Students will also recognize that each electron shell has a limit to the number of electrons that it can hold.
Students will create models of elements in the periodic table. These models will include the proper number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and the appropriate number of electrons in each shell.

Essential Questions

What are the three types of elements in the periodic table?
What are families and periods in relation to periodic table of elements?
What are the three ingredients that make up an atom? Where is their specific location in the atom?

Activity

To familiarize the students with the concept of elements and the periodic table in which they are contained, students will read Chem4kids: Elements. The students will read through the first four steps on the tour. When reading through these four Web pages, students will gain knowledge in the areas of elements, the periodic table, periods, groups and electron shells.

When students have familiarized themselves with the above topics, they will click on the group in which they are assigned. The groups will be as follows.

Protons

This group contains readers who are below grade level in the area of reading. These students will be expected to complete the comprehension questions from the elements Web site linked above. After students in this group complete these questions, they will create models of three elements that will be predetermined for them. In addition to modeling three elements, students in the proton group will have to record the elements atomic symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, neutrons and electrons.

Neutrons

This group contains readers who are at grade level to slightly above grade level in the area of reading. Students in this group will be expected to answer the comprehension questions from the elements Web site linked above. After students in this group complete these questions, they will create models of three out of the first 18 elements in the periodic table. In addition to modeling three elements, students in this group will have to record the elements atomic symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, neutrons and electrons. Also, students in the neutron group will record additional information about their elements such as melting and boiling points. Lastly, students in this group will have to record the history of the atoms that they have chosen and modeled.

Electrons

The students in the electron group are above grade level in the area of reading. Students in this group will be expected to answer the comprehension questions from the elements Web site linked above. After students in this group complete these questions, they will create models of three elements of their choice. In addition to modeling three elements, students in the electron group will have to record the elements atomic symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, neutrons and electrons. Also, students in electron group will record additional information about their elements such as melting and boiling points. Lastly, students in this group will have to record the history and some interesting facts of the atoms that they have chosen and modeled.