TEKS 8.5A describe the structure of atoms including the masses, electrical charges and locations, of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and
electrons in the electron cloud
TEKS 8.5B identify that protons determine an element’s identity and valence electrons determine its chemical properties, including reactivity
TEKS 8.5C interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table, including groups and periods
WHERE’S AL?
Objectives:
 Interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table.
 Describe the structure of atoms.
Materials:
 blank paper
 cousin’s
page
 glue
 scissors
Teacher Directions:
 In advance, copy one cousin page for each student. These may be laminated
and cut apart for repeated use.
 Students will arrange by any property that is counted; for example, the arms
or the fingers. Provide hints for those that become frustrated.
 Hints: arrange from smallest to largest with the smallest at the top and the
largest at the bottom.
“WHERE’S AL?” Discussion Questions
1. energy levels
electrons
group number /valence electrons
atomic mass
reactivity
members of the same group
number of arms
number of fingers
number of hairs on head
size of body
smile or lack of smile
clothing type
2. Some cousins are smiling because their outermost energy level is full
or nearly full. Those that are not full are reactive.
3. See Cousins page
4. The Periodic Table is arranged from left to right in order of increasing
atomic number or by increasing atomic mass.
Groups on the Periodic Table have similar properties and the same number
of valence electrons. The number of energy levels increase as you move
down a group.
(Answers will vary)—Elements go from reactive on the left to nonreactive on the right of the Periodic Table. Arranged by increasing
number of protons.
5. Answers will vary, but student’s could draw different hats, skirts,
flowers, shoes etc. made of +’s to show the positive charge on the
protons as well as Al’s unique identity.
Where’s Al
Answer Key
Ω
Ω
Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω
Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω
TEKS 8.5A describe the structure of atoms including the masses, electrical charges and locations, of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and
electrons in the electron cloud
TEKS 8.5B identify that protons determine an element’s identity and valence electrons determine its chemical properties, including reactivity
TEKS 8.5C interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table, including groups and periods
WHERE’S AL?
Objectives:
 Interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table
 Describe the structure of atoms
Directions:
1. Cut out the cousins and place them in front of you.
2. Use clues from the letter below to arrange the cousins into
their families.
3. One picture, Cousin Al, is missing. Once you determine his proper
position, predict what he looks like and sketch him in the correct position.
4. When you are sure of the arrangement, glue or tape the pictures to a
piece of paper. Don’t forget to leave a space for your sketch of Cousin Al.
5. Answer the discussion questions.
1234 Atomic Avenue
Periodic, Texas
Dear Cousin Beryl:
What’s happening? I’m writing because Grandmother has a favor to
ask of you. She says you are the most artistic and most organized member
of the family. I think she always did like you best. Anyway, here’s the deal.
Grandmother has collected pictures of all the grand kids. She wants
you to make a collage by arranging the photos in rows from the smallest
cousin to the largest cousin. She also said to tell you that kids who belong to
the same family are dressed alike. Grandmother would like the members of
each family arranged in their own vertical column. I hope you will
understand what she means when you see the pictures.
By the way, I said she has a picture of everyone. Actually, she’s
missing the picture of cousin Al. Grandmother says that, with your talent,
you should be able to sketch what Al looks like because his features are
similar to the cousins who surround him.
Got to go! In a way, I’m glad she does like you best! Good luck and
don’t disappoint her!
Best Wishes,
Cousin Fluora
“WHERE’S AL?” Discussion Questions
1. In this activity, all parts of the cousins represent properties or particles of
an atom. Next to each part, write the term from an atom that represents
each part. Some parts may have more than one term.
Word bank:
atomic mass
electrons
group number
reactivity
energy levels
group members
valence electrons
period number
_______________________________
number of arms
_______________________________
number of fingers
_______________________________
number of hairs on head
_______________________________
size of body
_______________________________
smile or lack of smile
_______________________________
clothing type
2. Why are some cousins smiling while others are frowning? (HINT: think
about the valence electrons)
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Write the name of the element represented by each cousin beneath their
picture by comparing the pictures to the Periodic Table.
4. Write three generalizations about the Periodic Table. The first two
generalizations are started for you.
a. The Periodic Table is arranged__________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
b. Groups on the Periodic Table ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
5. Think about how you could show each cousin’s unique identity as well
as the electric charge. Draw this feature on your Al sketch and one other
cousin.
Cousins Page
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω