A Periodic Table Lesson Kids Actually Enjoy!
Learn the basics of chemistry with this periodic table lesson resource that will allow your kids to memorize the periodic table and have fun doing it!
Mention chemistry and most people think of a complicated science far too advanced for the non-PhD to grasp. On very advanced levels, it is. However, if the basics of Chemistry are presented in a way that allows students to apply it to the their world, Chemistry becomes a much simpler, less scary study.
Chemistry isn’t relegated to a laboratory filled with test tubes and smoking beakers. Chemistry is everywhere. Everything in the universe is made of the same 118 elements found on the periodic table. Learning these elements and becoming familiar with them can make learning chemistry less daunting.
The Periodic Table
Think of the Periodic Table Of Elements as a method to organize the 118 elements. It is set up in a grid of rows and columns. Each horizontal row contains elements that have the same number of atomic orbitals. These are called “periods”, thus the name Periodic Table.
The vertical columns are, also, organized. Each column is called a group. The elements in each group have the same number of electrons in the outer orbital, or valence electrons.
As I mentioned before, sometimes the details of chemistry can be overwhelming. It’s best to start out basic. Once you learn what the purpose of the periodic table is, you can learn the elements that fit in the table. You can actually memorize the elements of the periodic table.
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Reinforcing The Periodic Table Lesson
Now that your child has learned and is beginning to be comfortable with the Periodic Table of Elements, it’s time to reinforce what they have learned and build on that. Below are some resources to help your children learn more about the Periodic Table.
To learn more about the elements themselves, check out this site that has short video lessons about each element.
Learn details about the elemental atoms with the Atomidoodle game.
Learn about the elements all around you with the free Everyday Elements printable.
To learn the symbols for each element, Proton Don is a fun game with adjustable levels.
These games teach the elemental symbols, atomic numbers, and correct place on the Periodic Table.
You can create your own Periodic Table with DIY element cards.
Connect these tiles to build the Periodic Table.