Virginia SOL PS.4

PS.4 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• PS.4.a

  symbols, atomic numbers, atomic mass, chemical groups (families), and periods are identified on the periodic table

• PS.4.b

  elements are classified as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students read an element square to find its symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass. They identify its group and period, then classify it as a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given any element, a student can report each piece of information accurately from a periodic table. The student can explain that groups are columns, periods are rows, and atomic number determines element order.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often confuse atomic number with atomic mass or reverse groups and periods. They may assume hydrogen is a metal because it appears above Group 1 metals.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a periodic table and ask: “For silicon, list its symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, group, period, and classification.”

1. 01

   Give pairs element cards to sort by atomic number, then label each card as metal, metalloid, or nonmetal using a periodic table.

2. 02

   Ask students to write three clues that identify one element without using its name, then trade clues with a partner.

3. 03

   Play periodic table bingo using clues such as “a nonmetal in Period 3” or “the element with atomic number 12.”

4. 04

   Have students inspect product labels or device materials, then locate named elements such as aluminum, silicon, iron, or chlorine on the periodic table.

• PS.2

  The student will investigate and understand that matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include

• PS.2.b

  the periodic table can be used to predict the chemical and physical properties of matter; and

• 6.5

  The student will investigate and understand that all matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include