Arranged/developed/modified by the fabulous IMSS team ofAnja Crickmore, FUSD

Susan Lemke, FUSD

Hollie Stark, FUSD

Karina Rizk, FUSD

5 Day Unit:This instructional case is presented over the course of 4-

5 days. Prior to this lesson, students should not have any previous periodic table education (in the school year) and should not be made aware of any connection to periodic table until Day 3.

Day 1: Paint Chip Activity

Day 2: Electron Dot Diagrams

Day 3: Direct Instruction

Day 4/5: Practice and Assessment

Day 1: Paint Chip ActivityFocuses on concept of classification and

organization

Introduces prediction using deductive reasoning

Please open envelope with paint chips.Please find the light orange chip.

Please find a medium-hued yellow.

Organize/sort your paint chips two ways: rows and columns.

Organize your paint chips two ways: rows and columns

Describe your organization as you go across each row and as you go down each column. What changes as you go across and as you go down? Did you appear to have missing colors? For each of your missing colors, describe where it was located and predict what color you think it should be.

If you want to paint your room the color of the sky where in your chart would you look for that color? Explain your rationale.

Why was it more helpful to have your cards organized than to have them just in the envelope when you were finding your color of the sky?

CALENDAR CONNEXNS

Day 2: Electron Dot DiagramsStudents analyze a calendar to discern

patterns and predictability.Students refine organizational skills using

two criteria to sort electron dot diagram cards.

Day 2: Electron Dot DiagramsStudents analyze a calendar to discern

patterns and predictability.

Students refine organizational skills using two criteria to sort electron dot diagram cards.

Using the pieces in the envelope, please arrange the cards in your group now.

Now draw your finished product on the gold paper and predict what the next cards will look like and where they should go. Draw them.

Day 3: Direct InstructionTeacher presents the

periodic table to the students.

Connections to Day 1 and 2 discoveries of the periodic table are made via power point presentation or lecture.

Day 4/5: Practice and AssessmentFind the Missing Elements activity

Students are challenged to discover missing elements on a periodic table using clues

Day 4/5: Practice and AssessmentPeriodic fill-in activity

This activity requires the student to “code” the periodic table as well as fill in blanks.

Lesson OutcomesIncreased student engagementDecreased student anxiety about periodic table

contentStudents make deeper connections to the

underlying structure of the periodic table leading to greater understanding of the properties of elements and later topics such as bonding.