Summary

In this activity, students will examine a periodic table that contains 25 mistakes. Students will be tasked with comparing the Periodic Table of Mistakes to a real periodic table in order to determine what mistakes are present. This activity provides an opportunity for students to become more familiar with the periodic table, including element names, symbols and placement, as well as trends in atomic mass.

Grade Level

Middle and High School

Objectives

By the end of this activity, students should be able to

• Correctly identify errors on the periodic table, including those related to element symbols, mass, names, and placement.
• Identify some common errors that occur in relation to the periodic table.
• Display familiarity with element names, symbols, and mass organization on the periodic table.

Chemistry Topics

This activity supports students’ understanding of

• Periodic Table
• Elements

Time

Teacher Preparation: 5 minutes

Lesson: 20-30 minutes

Materials

• Correct Periodic Table Handout (provided)
• Periodic Table of Mistakes Handout

Safety

• No specific safety precautions need to be observed for this activity.

Teacher Notes

• This activity is meant to be a fun problem-solving activity used to familiarize students with the periodic table.
• We suggest providing a photocopy of both the correct periodic table and the periodic table of mistakes to each of your students. Then students should be given some time to find the mistakes, while comparing the tables. For advanced students, or as an extra challenge, you could first have students attempt to find mistakes without a correct periodic table for comparison.
• Students can use the attached student sheet to organize the mistakes that are found during the activity.
• If you are looking for additional materials to use as you teach about the periodic table, consider using the AACT Periodic Table Unit Plan in its entirety or to find some new ideas. This unit plan was constructed using AACT resources designed to teach the Periodic Table to your students and it includes lessons, activities, labs, projects, videos, simulations, and animations.