- Make clear to pupils that they are each going to find out about some elements using secondary sources of information,
eg CD-ROM, internet, data books, and that the information they collect will be used by the whole class to get a picture of what many of the 100 or so elements are like.
- Give groups of pupils the names of around five elements and ask them to search for the following data on each element:
- its symbol
- its state at 20°C
- whether it is described as a metal or a non-metal
- whether it is described as magnetic or not
- its appearance
- any other information they might think important
- Ask pupils to transfer these six pieces of information onto the six sides of a cube, colour-coded for: symbol; metal/non-metal; solid/liquid/gas; magnetic/non-magnetic; appearance; other information. Where possible, show pupils samples or photographs of the elements so that they can compare them with their research. Show pupils a periodic table and ask them to arrange their cubes according to the arrangement of the periodic table, with each face uppermost in turn. Ask pupils to answer a series of questions,
eg Where are the metals? How many elements are gases/liquids? Explain that the periodic table shows all the elements and that similar elements are grouped together.
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- locate and record the required information,
eg complete the six faces of the cube
- describe some differences between elements
- make some generalisations about elements,
eg there are more metals than non-metals; most metals are non-magnetic
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