Summer Research Program for Science Teachers
M.S. 54, Manhattan
2000
The
Periodic Table of Elements Game
Jump to "Understanding the Speed and Acceleration Formulas"
Jump to "The Great Bookbag
Alarm"
Purpose:
To reinforce the students’ knowledge of the periodic table
of the elements.
Motivation:
Divide the class into boy and girl teams and tell the students
that “We’re going to find out once and for all if women
are really better at science than men.” (Its sexist, I
know, but it motivates them like nothing I’ve ever seen!)
Procedure:
1. All questions are based upon the table of elements, or
information given in class regarding the table of elements.
2.
Each team appoints a spokesperson. Only that person can
give an answer, after consulting with teammates. The
spokesperson must give only the information asked for, no more,
no less.
3.
Each person on the team will have a copy of the table of
elements, and can speak (quietly) to their teammates, but only
the spokesperson can address the teacher. If anyone other
than the spokesperson answers the question, the team loses
a turn. If the wrong information is given, even if for the
right element, the turn is lost.
4. Each team will have 15 seconds to formulate an answer.
5.
If a team answers incorrectly, or cannot answer in the allotted
time, the opposing team will have 15 second to answer the
question.
6.
If neither team can answer a question, a new question is posed.
7. The first team to answer 15 questions correctly wins
(suggested prize: points on the next test grade for each
team member).
Suggest format for questions:
“I am thinking of an element. This element (give identifying characteristic) [5-8 Content Standard B- Properties of matter]. What is the (name/symbol/atomic number/atomic weight/number of electrons/number of protons/meaning of the symbol) of this element?”