5-8

E3: Use the Periodic Table to group elements based on their characteristics.

Curriculum Organizing Questions	How can the Periodic Table be used to used to determine the structure of an element (protons, electrons, neutrons)? How can the Periodic Table be used to identify elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids? Where do you find elements with similar properties?
Elaboration	Students should understand how the Periodic Table is organized and how that organized information can help you understand the characteristics of different elements. Students should be observing as many of these elements and properties as is practical and safe. In grades 5-8, the focus on student understanding shifts from properties of objects and materials to the characteristic properties of the substances from which the materials are made. NSES Standard B p. 149
Specific Ideas	There are groups of elements that have similar properties, including highly reactive metals, less-reactive metals, highly reactive nonmetals (such as chlorine, fluorine, and oxygen), and some almost completely nonreactive gases (such as helium and neon). Benchmarks 4D6
Developmental & Instructional Implications	The structure of matter is difficult for this grade span. Historically, much of the evidence and reasoning used in developing atomic/molecular theory was complicated and abstract. In traditional curricula too, very difficult ideas have been offered to children before most of them had any chance of understanding. Benchmarks p. 77 Possible differences in atoms of the same element should be avoided at this stage. Historically, the identical nature of atoms of the same element was an assumption of atomic theory for a very long time. Benchmarks p. 78
Examples

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