Apologia Chemistry: Periodic Table Cards

I just assigned the fall Chemistry Class summer homework: Periodic Table Cards based on this activity from the Journal of Chemistry.  The kids make cards for Groups 1,2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.  Group 1 is red, 2 orange, 13 yellow, 14 green, 15 blue, 16 purple, 17 pink, and 18 black.  If the kids follow the same color scheme, they can play the game described in the article cited above.  Apart from the transition elements, most of the elements the kids need to memorize are here.  We’ll color blank periodic tables using the same color scheme.  This activity helps the kids to learn the names and symbols for the elements.  For each element, the child draws an image to help remember the element, such as a balloon for helium, a salt shaker for sodium, or a banana for potassium, nearly every single time.  The kids can write the information on index cards and mount them on to construction paper or simply color the edge of the index card the correct color for the family.  Kids can complete the research and the index cards in an afternoon—or stay up until midnight the night before class resumes.  Below are photo examples.