Lesson Note on Periodic Table: Meaning, Periodic Law, Blocks and Families for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Chemistry
Curriculum Theme: Classification of Elements
Previous Lesson: Alkanols: Meaning, Preparation, Fermentation and Uses.
Topic: PERIODIC TABLE
Subject Matter: Meaning of periodic table (arrangement of elements in order of increasing atomic number), periodic law, blocks of elements (metals, non-metals, metalloids, transition metals), families s-p-d-f (according to group I-VIII, group IA alkali metals, group IIA alkaline earth metals, and other family names)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Define the periodic table.
• State the periodic law.
• Identify the four blocks (s, p, d, f) of elements on the periodic table.
• Classify elements into families based on their group numbers and properties.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the systematic arrangement of elements in the periodic table.
• Value the use of the periodic table as a tool for understanding chemical properties.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Locate specific elements and their respective blocks/families on a periodic table chart.
• Sketch a simple outline of the periodic table showing the blocks.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in discussions about the properties of different element families.
• Collaborate with peers to categorize elements.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools by Osei Yaw Ababio
• https://www.britannica.com/science/periodic-table
• https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Periodic table chart of elements
• Blank periodic table template

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the organized structure of elements, which is fundamental to predicting their chemical behavior. It enables pupils to classify elements and comprehend the relationships between their properties, making the study of chemistry more systematic.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of elements, atoms, atomic number, and electron configuration from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PERIODIC TABLE

Meaning of Periodic Table

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized based on their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. Elements are arranged in rows called periods and columns called groups.

Periodic Law

The periodic law states that when elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, there is a periodic recurrence of their physical and chemical properties.

Blocks of Elements

The periodic table is divided into four main blocks based on the outermost electron shell being filled:

• s-block: Comprises Group 1 (Alkali Metals) and Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metals). These are all reactive metals.
• p-block: Contains Groups 13 to 18. This block includes metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
• d-block: Consists of Groups 3 to 12, known as the Transition Metals. These are typically metals with variable oxidation states.
• f-block: Made up of the Lanthanides and Actinides, usually placed below the main table. These are also metals.

Families of Elements (Groups)

Elements in the same vertical column (group) of the periodic table share similar chemical properties due to having the same number of valence electrons. Common families include:

• Group 1 (IA): Alkali Metals (e.g., Lithium, Sodium, Potassium)
• Group 2 (IIA): Alkaline Earth Metals (e.g., Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium)
• Group 13 (IIIA): Boron Family
• Group 14 (IVA): Carbon Family
• Group 15 (VA): Nitrogen Family
• Group 16 (VIA): Chalcogens (Oxygen Family)
• Group 17 (VIIA): Halogens (e.g., Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine)
• Group 18 (VIIIA or 0): Noble Gases (e.g., Neon, Argon, Krypton)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reminds them about elements, atomic numbers, and the need for organizing chemical information.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greetings and recall their prior knowledge about elements and atomic numbers.
Learning Point: Pupils connect previous knowledge to the new topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Periodic Table

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a periodic table chart and explains its definition as an arrangement of elements by increasing atomic number, highlighting periods and groups.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen to the explanation, and ask questions for clarity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what the periodic table is and how elements are basically arranged.

Step 3: Periodic Law

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Discovery/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to deduce the periodic law by showing examples of elements with recurring properties based on their atomic numbers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the periodic law based on the teacher’s guidance and observations.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the fundamental principle governing the periodic table.

Step 4: Blocks of Elements

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Classification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the periodic table chart and a blank template to explain and illustrate the s, p, d, and f blocks, indicating where metals, non-metals, and metalloids are found.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the different blocks on the chart and note their characteristics.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify the four blocks and the general location of different types of elements.

Step 5: Families of Elements

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Categorization/Examples
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to group elements into families (groups) based on shared characteristics, giving specific names like alkali metals, halogens, and noble gases.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils classify elements into families and provide examples.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the chemical families and their common names.

Step 6: Discussion and Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a brief discussion on the importance of the periodic table in predicting properties and encourages pupils to ask further questions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion and ask questions.
Learning Point: Pupils deepen their understanding and appreciate the utility of the periodic table.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Define the periodic table.
2. State the periodic law.
3. Name the four blocks of elements found in the periodic table.
4. Give two examples of element families found in the periodic table.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of the periodic table as an organizational tool in chemistry.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and take note of the summary.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for the next lesson.

Lesson Keywords

• Periodic Table – A tabular arrangement of chemical elements.
• Periodic Law – States that properties of elements recur periodically when arranged by atomic number.
• Blocks – Regions of the periodic table (s, p, d, f) based on electron configuration.
• Families (Groups) – Vertical columns of elements with similar chemical properties.
• Atomic Number – The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to predict properties of unknown elements based on their position. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide additional one-on-one guidance and simplified explanations with more visual aids and repeated examples.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a large, clear periodic table chart is available. Encourage pupils to use the blank periodic table template to practice identifying blocks and families. Emphasize that the periodic table is a powerful tool for understanding and predicting chemical behavior. Encourage active participation and questions throughout the lesson.