Atoms and the Periodic Table Task Cards

These digital or print Atoms and the Periodic Table Task Cards cover the basics of atomic structure and how to read the Periodic Table. These are great to use for formative assessment/review during a unit or before a quiz. The questions draw from the Understand, Apply, Analyze, and Evaluate levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. The topics covered are: location/charge/mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons, how to find the number of neutrons in an atom, the concept of an isotope, groups and periods on the Periodic Table, location of the metals, non-metals, and metalloids, names of the main groups/families, valence electrons, how to determine the number of energy levels/electron shells and valence electrons based on a Main Group element’s location on the Periodic Table, and a basic understanding of reactivity (Noble Gases are unreactive, Alkali Metals are most reactive metals, and Halogens are most reactive non-metals.).

The students answer each of the 24 questions and write down the answer letter on their answer sheet. They should also circle the emoji that corresponds to their confidence about their answer… either “Got it right!”, “I’m pretty sure but not totally!”, or “I’m just praying it’s right!”

There are two ways to facilitate this activity, a print version and a digital version:

Option |: Print the 4-cards per sheet version. Cut apart the Cards and tape them around your classroom. The students will walk around the room to complete the activity. It won’t matter where they start or finish the cards.

Option 2: Have the students log into their Google account and Make a Copy of the Task Cards using the link provided on the next page of this document. Or, you can Make a Copy yourself and share it with your students or post it on your Google Classroom. If you choose this option, the students will have the slides to review from their Drive.

Blank cards are included in case you want to substitute a question of your own!

If you'd like to try these Task Cards as the Mad Lib version, check out my Atoms and the Periodic Table Mad Lib Task Cards!

If you are teaching a unit on atomic structure and the Periodic Table, you may also be interested in these resources:

Basics of the Periodic Table Cornell Doodle Notes

Elements Compounds and Mixtures Cornell Doodle Notes

Bohr Diagrams Atom Manipulatives Activity

Element Families of the Periodic Table Informational Text Activity

Thanks for looking!

Sunrise Science