 All of the matter in the universe is made up of the 118
elements on the Periodic Table.
We group these elements in many different ways.
 There are “blocks” of
elements that all have
similarities.
 There are also “periods”
of elements that are in
the same horizontal row.
 “Groups” are also made out of the vertical columns.
These elements are very similar.
 The last way we can group the elements is in to
families.
 We are going to focus on these families because they
group together the elements with the most similar
characteristics. Looking at the family will tell you the
most information about an element.
Please take out your copy of The Periodic
Table. Label and Color along as we talk
about each part.
After you have colored and labeled the family
on your Table, fill in the notes about each
family’s characteristics on your “Families of
the Periodic Table” worksheet.
 Start by numbering the periods on the Table.
 The periods are the horizontal rows. Number them 1
through 7.
 Next, number the groups. The groups are the vertical
columns. Number them 1 through 18.
 Periods and Groups are an easy way to locate an element
quickly.
 Start a key for your periodic table here or under your
table:
Every time we color a family, add it to your key.
 The first family we will discuss is the Alkali Metals.
Color them red on your Periodic Table.
Alkali Metals
 All of the alkali metals:
 Are shiny and soft.
 Are highly reactive with other elements.
 Easily lose their outermost electron.
 Can be cut easily.
 In nature, are only found in salts - never by
themselves.
 The most abundant of which is Sodium, which is in the salt we add to
our food! Did you know that sodium is a metal?
 Next, color and label the Alkaline Earth Metals. Color
them green.
Alkaline Earth Metals
 All of the Alkaline Earth Metals:
 Are shiny and silvery-white.
 Are somewhat reactive with other elements.
 Easily lose their two outermost electrons.
 Have low density, melting point, and boiling
point.
 Next, label the Transition Metals. Color them blue.
Transition Metals
 All of the Transition Metals:
 Are malleable and ductile.
 Are very good conductors of heat and electricity
 Are very dense.
 Have a high boiling point and a high melting
point.
 Other than the metals in group 12 – they have
a lower boiling and melting point than the
others. They are liquid at room temperature.
 Now, label the Other Metals. Color them purple.
The Other Metals
 The Other Metals:
 Are the metals that don’t share characteristics
with any other family of metals.
 Are also malleable and ductile.
 Have a semi-high density.
 Are opaque.
 Are solid at room temperature.
 Now, label the Metalloids. Color them orange.
The Metalloids
 The Metalloids:
 Are the elements in between the metals and the
non-metals.
 Share similarities with both metals and nonmetals.
 Most are semi-conductors.
 Now, label the Non-Metals. Color them pink.
The Non-Metals
 All of the Non-Metals:
 Do not conduct heat or electricity well.
 Are very brittle.
 Some are gases, like Oxygen.
 Some are solids, like Carbon.
 Have no luster and reflect no light.
 Next, label the Halogens. Color them light blue.
The Halogens
 All of the Halogens:
 Are non-metallic.
 Are toxic.
 Are highly reactive.
 Occur in solids, liquids, and gases at room
temperature.
 Next, label the Noble Gases. Color them gray.
The Noble Gases
 All of the Noble Gases:
 Almost never react with any other element.
 Have full outer shells.
 Are very stable.
 Are all gases.
 Are odorless and colorless.
 Have low melting and boiling points.
 Lastly, label the Rare Earth Elements. Color them light
green.
The Rare Earth Elements
 All of the Rare Earth Elements:
 Are referred to as the lanthanide and actinide
series.
 Are mostly synthetic (man-made).
 Are a part of group 3 on the Periodic Table.
 Are metals.
 And are sometimes called “Rare Earth Metals”
instead of Rare Earth Elements.