Elements Lesson Plans

Students examine common atoms, the periodic table, and atomic structure. They identify the structural features of an atom, read the periodic table of elements, and calculate the atomic weight of an atom, given its atomic number.

Students investigate chemical elements and their properties. In this chemistry lesson, students use the Visual Thesaurus to learn about elements and their properties. Students create unique trading cards to represent the elements and their properties.

Fifth graders understand the job of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom. In this atom's activity, 5th graders sing a song to get motivated about studying atom's. Students recognize the vocabulary words and meanings. Students create paper diagram and model of the atom.

Young scholars create trading cards for elements in the Periodic Table. In this chemistry lesson, students are introduced to the Periodic Table of Elements and the concept of elements in the world around us. Student groups use the Visual Thesaurus to investigate the properties of various elements. Young scholars design trading cards with the name of the element, its properties, and an illustration on each card.

Students create a pictorial timeline on the development of the atomic theory. In this physics lesson, students watch a video and write their reflections about it. They share their work with the class.

Students investigate how information about the atom has been determined. In this atomic structure lesson, students draw what they think an atom looks like. They conduct Internet research about the types of atomic models and how scientists determined them.

Eighth graders explain what makes up matter.  In this atoms lesson students define an atom and what its components are and identify properties of elements. 

Students study the periodic table of elements using the Visual Thesaurus. In this chemical elements lesson, students study elements using the Visual Thesaurus word map. Students investigate five elements on the VT in groups and write an original title for their set. Students create trading cards for their elements and present the cards.

Students work with a partner to determine the identity of an unknown element based on given descriptions. Groups use classroom textbooks, encyclopedias, and science internet sites to identify their unknown element then write a report as well as a PowerPoint presentation about their element.

Fifth graders investigate the Periodic Table of Elements and the Scientific Process through the story Bartholomew and the Oobleck. In this polymer lesson, 5th graders read and discuss the polymer "oobleck" from the story and create their own. They use the Internet to research the Periodic Table of Elements, the meaning of chemistry, and the scientific process. Students consider the publication of the Butter Battle Book and the influence that World War II had on polymers.