The periodic table may look scary as it is covered with letters, numbers, and unrecognizable words. But beyond all that structure, lies an intriguing story of the building blocks of universe. Young learners, particularly those in middle school do not have to undergo a dry memorization process of periodic table introduction. Given the right materials and designing techniques, you can make it an exciting adventure that comes with discovery and creativity.
Turn Elements into Characters
One of the best styles of introducing the periodic table would be to assign the elements a personality. Rather than a simple introduction to the element, just, Hydrogen is the first element, think of how Hydrogen is always the leader, who initiates all reactions in gas-chemistry. Envision Oxygen as the high energy team player that can make things smolder.
A good way to use this method of storytelling is especially with resources like periodic table elementals. On the Magical Elements of the Periodic Table series, one can find an example of how each of the elements can be transformed into an original character, which provides a young mind with all the greater possibility to understand their properties, functions, and interactions with others. Science-driven by fantasy setting is more likely to attract the interest of students and also help them retain the information in their minds.
Use Color-Coded Charts and Games
The visual aids change the game in the teaching of periodic table. Make color-coded large charts with elements of similar type (metals, nonmetals, etc.) on them and print them out. Then allow students to identify or separate them using stickers, markers, or magnets.
Turn a scavenger hunt to the periodic table. Challenge students to identify an element which is gas at room temperature, is in electronics or can be found in toothpaste. Learning through the game, gamifying the process ensures the process remains interesting and at the same time learning core facts.
Connect Elements to Everyday Life
When students are aware that they come in contact with elements in everyday life, the periodic table becomes much more interesting. Then there is aluminum in soda cans, calcium in milk, iron in cereal, and helium in balloons these are real-life examples of being able to associate abstract science to everyday life.
Request students to make posters or presentations indicating how and where particular components can be found in homes or medicine, technology, or food. It makes the periodic table an or tool rather than a set of facts.
Read Visual, Interactive Books
Not all students can simply grasp scientific concepts based on lectures and worksheets, some children require to see and touch something. Comic-like descriptions, illustrated books on science, and interactive online materials may be a great change. The tools make explanations easy to remember, particularly to visual and practical learners.
Such visual fun book types of learning science in the periodic table are found on AMAZON, and they are meant to help the learner acquire a visual perception of the periodic table in colors, characters, and creations.
Final Thoughts
The periodic table does not need to be learnt in a formulaic manner. The thing is, the more creativity you introduce to the classroom, the more hope is there that your students will become interested in the subject and they will approach it with curiosity and enthusiasm.
