| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Science |
| What age group | Year or Grade 9 |
| What topic | Periodic table |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
Imagine you are on a treasure hunt, not for gold or jewels, but for the building blocks of everything around us—the elements of the periodic table! Today, we'll embark on an exciting adventure that explores how these elements interact and shape the world.
Begin the lesson by dimming the lights and playing a short, dramatic video (3-5 minutes) that introduces various elements in a whimsical narrative; for instance, a “dating game” with elements competing for the title of “Most Popular” or “Most Reactive.” The comedy can include dramatic reactions, quirky personalities (personifying elements like Sodium as the "explosive party-goer" and Helium as the "fun-loving friend"). This captures the students' attention and sets the stage for the lesson.
After the video, gather the students in a circle and ask:
Encourage them to share their thoughts, discussing their responses in pairs or small groups for 5 minutes. This collaboration helps students engage and connect to the material personally.
Next, assign each student (or a pair of students) an element from the periodic table. They will create a “character profile” including:
Ask students to be prepared to introduce their “element” to the class in a creative way—this could be through acting, creating a poster, or presenting a short skit, which shall take place in the next part of the lesson.
This warm-up naturally transitions into a deeper dive into the periodic table. Hand out printed copies of the periodic table and guide students through understanding its structure, groups, periods, and the significance of these classifications.
By this creative start, students are primed for an engaging exploration of chemistry through active participation, setting an enjoyable tone for the entire lesson!