>> Publications 1994-1996

BACKGROUND

Form four students generally don’t spend much time learning chemistry. Thus teaching students to understand, write formulae and equations is a challenge to teachers. This game is devised to help form 4 students remember the first four elements in Groups I to VIII of the Periodic Table.

OBJECTIVES

1. To help students learn and master the first 4 elements in Groups I to VIII of the Periodic Table.

2. To identify the position of an element in the respective groups of  the Periodic Table and deduce the charge of its ions.

BENEFITS FOR TEACHING -LEARNING PROCESS

1. It serves as a teaching aid in the learning of the Periodic Table.

2. It promotes accurate writing of chemical formulae.

3. It enhances better identification of chemical bonding, given the positions of the elements in the Periodic Table.

MATERIALS

2 manila cards, binding tape, markers, lettering board and scissors.

CONSTRUCTION OF TEACHING AIDS

1. Cut up the manila card into 37 pieces of small cards measuring 8cm x 6cm.

2. Bind the edges of each card with the binding tape.

3. On each card, write the name, symbol and electronic configuration that represents an 

 element in the Periodic Table for the first four elements of Groups I to VIII.

4. A hydrogen card and four transition elements are also included.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. The  game is played similar to “HAPPY FAMILY” or “DONKEY”GAME

1. Game suitable for 2 or more players. 

2. Distribute 36 cards to all the players.

3. Each player sorts his cards into as many groups of four as possible.

4. Complete groups are placed face down in front of the player.

5. The player on the left of the card distributer starts the game by asking any player he chooses, for a card to complete his group of 4 elements. If the called-upon player has it, he must give it up; but if does not have it, he replies “Not At Home.” It is then his turn to ask for the cards he wants. No player can ask for a card within a certain group if he does not have one or more cards of the group.

6. The one who first completes the groups from all the cards he/she holds, is declared the winner.

1. Two or more persons may play  the “HYDROGEN” game.

2. Distribute all the cards.  Any player who gets two cards with elements from the same group, should place the cards face down on the table without letting the others see his cards.

3. Subsequently, the first player offers all his remaining cards face down to the player on his left who then takes one of them. If this card pairs with any of the cards he is  holding, he places both cards face down in front of him. This player offers his card in the same  way to the next player.  So the game goes on until all the cards are used up.

4. When a player has paired all his cards, he is out of the game. If “HYDROGEN” is one of the last two cards a player holds and he is able to pair the other card, he can then pass “HYDROGEN” to the next player.

5. The player who is left with the “HYDROGEN” card is the loser.

*Note:The HYDROGEN game is played similar to the “DONKEY”  game.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MODIFICATION

1. Familiarise students with increasing number of elements in Groups I to VIII by a gradual inclusion of elements.

2. Add more information about the properties of elements so that learning becomes more meaningful.