Lesson Plan

• Describe the layout of periods, groups, and blocks in the periodic table.
• Explain trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, electronegativity and metallic character across periods and down groups.
• Predict physical and chemical properties of elements based on their position in the table.

• Projector and screen
• Large labelled periodic‑table poster
• Student worksheets with trend tables
• Element cards (symbol, group, period)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Interactive quiz platform (e.g., Kahoot)

Begin with a quick question: why does sodium explode in water while neon does not? Review students’ prior knowledge of valence electrons and basic trends. Explain that today they will use an element’s position in the periodic table to predict its properties, and they will be assessed by an exit ticket.

1. Do‑now (5') – Mini‑quiz on element symbols and group numbers displayed via projector.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Introduce periods, groups, and blocks using the labelled poster.
3. Guided inquiry (12') – Students complete trend tables for atomic radius, ionisation energy, electronegativity, and metallic character.
4. Group activity (15') – Using element cards, each group predicts properties of assigned elements and justifies using the trends.
5. Practice problems (8') – Predict relative ionisation energies for Na vs Mg and Cl vs Br; discuss answers.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Exit ticket: write one trend across a period and one down a group.

Recap how group and period information allows prediction of size, energy and reactivity trends. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a worksheet where students predict properties for a new set of elements for homework.