Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Periodic Table: Introduction

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is vital for laying a strong foundation of understanding regarding the periodic table. The objectives outlined aim to ensure that students not only memorize the elements but also understand the rationale behind their organization and classification. This understanding will enable them to apply their knowledge more effectively in practical and theoretical contexts, while also aiding in long-term retention of information.

Objective Utama:

1. Ensure that students grasp the fundamental structure of the periodic table, including how elements are categorized into metals, nonmetals, and noble gases.

2. Enhance students' skills to identify and differentiate the major chemical families, particularly focusing on the halogen family.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Ignite students' curiosity and interest in chemistry by using practical examples and real-life applications.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students through problem scenarios that prompt them to apply and reflect on their prior knowledge of the periodic table. Moreover, it seeks to highlight the significance of the topic with practical applications and engaging facts, establishing a connection between theoretical learning and real-world relevance. This phase is critical for motivating students and linking the concepts studied to practical use.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you're a scientist tasked with developing a new technology that optimizes the properties of halogens. How can the periodic table assist you in selecting the right elements for your invention?

2. If you were to classify a series of unknown elements into metals, nonmetals, and noble gases, what characteristics would you observe, and how does this tie into the organization of the periodic table?

Contextualization

The periodic table isn’t just a random array of elements; it's the key to comprehending the chemistry that shapes our world. For instance, the halogen family includes elements like chlorine, essential for purifying water, and fluorine, crucial for enhancing tooth enamel. These elements play a significant role in our daily lives and are systematically arranged in the periodic table based on their chemical and physical properties, simplifying the study of their reactions and applications.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development phase aims to encourage students to actively and interactively apply their prior knowledge of the periodic table. Through group activities, they will explore the structure and properties of elements in diverse contexts, fostering collaborative learning and critical thinking. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to be both engaging and educational, ensuring students not only solidify but also broaden their knowledge in an enjoyable and memorable way.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - The Periodic Table Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Foster teamwork and reinforce knowledge regarding the arrangement of elements in the periodic table.

- Description: In this interactive activity, students will be grouped into teams of up to 5 members, each receiving a large blank periodic table. The objective is to accurately fill in the periodic table with the provided elements, but with a twist: each element will be presented as a puzzle, where only snippets of information (atomic number, symbol, atomic mass, etc.) will be provided. Students will collaborate to piece it together correctly.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into teams of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the blank periodic table posters to each group.

• Provide each team with a set of puzzle pieces, each containing one piece of information about a periodic table element.

• Students should discuss among themselves and decide where to place each piece on the periodic table, aiming to fill in all the elements accurately.

• At the end of the allotted time, each group presents their completed table and explains their decisions.

Activity 2 - The Mystery of the Missing Elements

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote logical reasoning and the application of periodic table concepts to address practical challenges.

- Description: Students will become chemical detectives, tasked with solving a mystery involving elements from the periodic table. Each group will receive a set of clues and must utilize their knowledge of element properties to ascertain which elements are absent from a partially erased periodic table.

- Instructions:

• Organize the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Distribute a set of clues and a partially erased periodic table to each group.

• The clues should include hints like 'this element is a halogen' or 'this element has an atomic number greater than 50.'

• Students must deduce which elements are missing based on the clues.

• Each group presents their discoveries and reasoning.

Activity 3 - Element Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage creativity and deepen understanding of the characteristics of periodic table elements.

- Description: In this creative activity, students will 'create' elements from the periodic table using art supplies like modeling clay and poster board. Each group will choose an element and represent it in three dimensions, showcasing its physical and chemical characteristics. At the conclusion, the 'constructed' elements will be showcased, and the groups will explain their choices and how the properties of the elements are reflected in their models.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into teams of up to 5 students.

• Each group selects an element from the periodic table to represent.

• Students will use modeling clay and poster board to craft a three-dimensional model of the element, emphasizing its main features.

• Once built, each group explains the traits and properties of the represented element.

• Organize an exhibition of the crafted elements.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The goal of this feedback session is to consolidate and share the knowledge students gained during the practical activities. Through group discussions, students have the opportunity to articulate and reflect on their learning, promoting a deeper understanding and a better ability to apply knowledge in various contexts. Moreover, this stage helps identify areas where students might need more guidance or clarification, allowing the teacher to tailor future lessons to better meet the class's specific needs.

Group Discussion

At the conclusion of the activities, bring all the students together for a group discussion. Open the discussion with a brief introduction explaining that the goal is to share insights learned during the activities and discuss what each group found most challenging and interesting. Encourage students to voice their perspectives and listen respectfully to their peers' contributions. This moment is vital for reinforcing collaborative learning and for students to appreciate diverse viewpoints and approaches to the same content.

Key Questions

1. What primary challenges did your group face while filling in the periodic table or solving the mystery of the missing elements?

2. How did the structure of the periodic table aid your group in organizing the information during the activities?

3. Was there any particular element or chemical family that piqued your curiosity, or one that you would like to explore further?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to ensure that students have a clear and well-rounded understanding of the topics discussed, as well as to appreciate the practical significance and importance of the periodic table. Reviewing key points enables students to reinforce learning, while illustrating how theory connects with practice and the real world promotes an appreciation for the concepts explored.

Summary

In this concluding phase, the teacher should summarize the key points covered during the lesson, stressing the structure and organization of the periodic table, the differences between metals, nonmetals, and noble gases, and the significance of chemical families, especially the halogens. This synthesis moment helps reinforce learning and ensures that students have a clear grasp of the concepts discussed.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was skillfully designed to connect theory with practice. Through interactive activities, students applied the theoretical concepts of the periodic table to practical scenarios, such as solving a periodic table puzzle and unraveling a mystery. This not only reinforced their understanding of the material but also illustrated how the periodic table serves as an indispensable tool in applied chemistry.

Closing

Lastly, it's crucial to emphasize the relevance of the periodic table in our everyday lives. The chemical elements we examined today have tangible applications across various fields, from healthcare to technology, and understanding their arrangement within the periodic table is key to comprehending their interactions and uses. Therefore, chemistry transcends mere academic study; it is a discipline that permeates our daily existence.