WHERE’S AL?
Objectives:
· Interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table
· Describe the structure of atoms
Directions:
1. Cut out the cousins and place them in front of you.
2. Use clues from the letter below to arrange the cousins into their families.
3. One picture, Cousin Al, is missing. Once you determine his proper position, predict what he looks like and sketch him in the correct position.
4. When you are sure of the arrangement, glue or tape the pictures to a piece of paper. Don’t forget to leave a space for your sketch of Cousin Al.
5. Answer the discussion questions.
1234 Atomic Avenue
Periodic, Texas
Dear Cousin Beryl:
What’s happening? I’m writing because Grandmother has a favor to ask of you. She says you are the most artistic and most organized member of the family. I think she always did like you best. Anyway, here’s the deal.
Grandmother has collected pictures of all the grand kids. She wants you to make a collage by arranging the photos in rows from the smallest cousin to the largest cousin. She also said to tell you that kids who belong to the same family are dressed alike. Grandmother would like the members of each family arranged in their own vertical column. I hope you will understand what she means when you see the pictures.
By the way, I said she has a picture of everyone. Actually, she’s missing the picture of cousin Al. Grandmother says that, with your talent, you should be able to sketch what Al looks like because his features are similar to the cousins who surround him.
Got to go! In a way, I’m glad she does like you best! Good luck and don’t disappoint her!
Best Wishes,
Cousin Fluora
“WHERE’S AL?” Discussion Questions
1. In this activity, all parts of the cousins represent properties or particles of an atom. Next to each part, write the term from an atom that represents each part. Some parts may have more than one term.
Word bank: atomic mass reactivity valence electrons
electrons energy levels period number
group number group members
______number of arms
______number of fingers
______number of hairs on head
______size of body
______smile or lack of smile
______clothing type
2. Why are some cousins smiling while others are frowning? (HINT: think about the valence electrons) ______
______
3. Write the name of the element represented by each cousin beneath their picture by comparing the pictures to the Periodic Table.
4. Write three generalizations about the Periodic Table. The first two generalizations are started for you.
a. The Periodic Table is arranged by… ______.
b. Groups on the Periodic Table represent… ______
c. ______
______
______
5. Think about how you could show each cousin’s unique identity as well as the electric charge. Draw this feature on your Al sketch and one other cousin.