The Periodic Table of the Elements (PTE) is at the heart of Montessori Cosmic Education. It provides an organized illustration of the building blocks of life, atoms. Children learn that the first element of hydrogen is the most abundant in the universe. It can be found in stars and the human body. Under immense pressure and heat, hydrogen nuclei fuse to become increasingly heavy elements, which have been first classified and named by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
Why is it important to introduce the Periodic Table of Elements to elementary learners? Children learn to make sense of the world around them. They are fascinated to know their bodies are made of the same atoms that they eat through food. This learning component reunites children with nature. They develop a primer understanding that atoms can be classified just like many other concepts they have learned in science. Similar elements are groups on the PTE based on the arrangement of elements on the shells (see our material The Atomic Bohr Model).
Charts and Research Cards
In order to guide children through this learning experience, we have developed Periodic Table of Elements – Complete Set that will provide sufficient support to children ages 9-12. Along with our Periodic Table of Elements Control Chart and Periodic Table of Elements Mute Chart, you will find for your convenience the Periodic Table of Elements Supplement Materials. In this post, we would like to share with you an effective way to present the materials.
Materials
- Periodic Table of Elements Control Chart
- Periodic Table of Elements Mute Chart
- Periodic Table of Elements Supplement Materials
Complete set: Periodic Table of Elements – Complete Set
Related materials: Bohr’s Atomic Model – Complete Set
Cloth Charts & Research Cards
As always in Montessori education, invite children to the location where they can find the presented material. Name the material and invite children to carry it to the working space, which should be on the floor since the cloth charts require space. Lay out a mat on the mat vertically to the left side of the working space, the Periodic Table of Elements Control Chart on the right side at the top, and the Periodic Table of Elements Mute Chart below the control chart. Invite the children to arrange by color all the movable parts (the elements name tags) on the working mat. Remind children that everything in the universe is made of atoms, which we also called elements. Say that these elements have been identified and classified into rows by a scientist named Dmitri Mendeleev and that we called the Periodic Table of the Elements. Some elements are naturally formed while others have more recently been created in laboratories. Some elements have Latin-based names while others are named after planets (Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium), scientists (Nobelium, Einsteinium, Curium, Mendelevium), or sometimes geographical locations (Europium, Americium, Californium). Telling such information to learners helps them create mental connections with the material; they feel more familiar with it.
Have children read the Research Cards and place the corresponding element movable parts on the mute chart (the chart with no information). Children use the control chart to organize the elements per group. The elements placed vertically have in common the amount of electrons on the outermost shell. The elements placed horizontally have in common the amount of shells around the nucleus. You may have children notice this information. It helps them consolidate their understanding of atomic structure and the process of nucleosynthesis.
Later, with more practice, have children put the Control Chart away and try organizing designated groups of elements based on their nature (Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Noble Gases, Metalloids, Actinides, Lanthanides, etc…). Our set Periodic Table of Elements Supplement Materials contains Research Cards that will inform children about the various groups of elements found in the PTE and also about elements that are commonly named the Carbon Family, the Nitrogen Family, the Oxygen Family, the Halogen Family, and the Boron Family. This way to organize elements helps children naturally memorize elements based on their common characteristics. You will find more information on the Research Cards.
Laminated Charts & Task Cards
Finally, when children have had sufficient work with the PTE charts and Research Cards, they will enjoy working with the PTE Task Cards, which invite them to use their newly acquired knowledge in a meaningful manner. The Task Cards consists of six sections with questions or commands, and answers on the back for immediate feedback. The Task Cards require children to use cognitive reasoning by comparing groups of elements, by regrouping elements by common properties, by listing elements from the same group, by naming groups based on provided information, and by stating some pertinent information.
Working with Task Cards promotes independent work, which purpose is to help children taking ownership of their learning and make personal learning connections through interacting one-on-one with the material. Task Card are also excellent in promoting collaboration and camaraderie. Elementary learners enjoy very much working with partners. This practice helps them benefit from being exposed to diverse perspective, which enrich their mind flexibility.
We are confident our Periodic Table of Elements – Complete Set will make a difference in your learners’ experience with the Periodic Table of Elements. We believe that quality materials are essential for learners to engage actively with in their learning experience. For more Montessori-aligned chemistry materials, make sure to visit our website.
