Mississippi Science CHE.3.3
The Standard
- CHE.3
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the periodic table as a systematic representation to predict properties of elements.
Analyze the periodic table to identify quantum numbers (e.g., valence shell electrons, energy level, orbitals, sublevels, and oxidation numbers).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Periodic Table
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Read an element's period and block to identify its outer energy level and the sublevel being filled. For main-group elements, count valence electrons and predict oxidation numbers in simple compounds. Use orbital boxes to show how electrons fill a sublevel.
What Mastery Looks Like
- For sulfur, a student identifies energy level 3, a 3p last electron, six valence electrons, and an oxidation number of −2 in MgS. They place two electrons in 3s and four across the three 3p orbitals.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may read group 16 as 16 valence electrons instead of six. They may call 3d the filling sublevel for a period 4 d-block element. They may pack p electrons into one orbital or assume an element has the same oxidation number in every compound.
How to Assess It
- For sulfur in MgS, ask students to write its outer energy level, last filled sublevel, valence-electron count, and oxidation number. Have them draw three 3p orbital boxes with four electrons.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs 18 counters and s/p orbital-box cards; have them fill sulfur's orbitals, then find its period and block on a table.
Ask, 'Why is sulfur −2 in MgS but sodium +1 in NaCl?' Have students cite each element's group and valence count.
Call out elements from groups 1, 2, 16, and 17; students write period, block, valence count, and common ion charge on mini whiteboards.
Show a bag of road salt labeled NaCl; students locate sodium and chlorine, then explain their charges using valence electrons.
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- PHS.3
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- PHS.3.1
Use contextual evidence to determine the organization of the periodic table, including metals, metalloids, and nonmetals; symbols; atomic number; atomic mass; c...
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