A Fun Periodic Table Game? Surely an oxymoron if ever there was one! Let’s talk about something we all know can be a bit tricky – keeping students engaged while teaching the periodic table. The periodic table can seem like an endless sea of elements and numbers that can make any student’s eyes glaze over. It’s no wonder students can get overwhelmed (I was always confused by the difference between atomic number and mass number as a secondary student). If you’ve ever tried to make the periodic table stick for your students, you know it can be tricky to keep things engaging. And honestly, don’t we all want our students to have that lightbulb moment when they finally get the periodic table? Luckily, there’s a fun and effective solution to help with this: Periodic Table Bingo! Whether you’re looking for a periodic table game, a way to liven up your review sessions, or just want something different for study time, this bingo game is here to save the day. 🎉
Why Periodic Table Bingo?
As a teacher, I’ve spent countless hours trying to make the periodic table interesting for students. I’ve done everything from videos to color-coding activities. But there’s something about games that really draws students in, making them want to learn. That’s where Periodic Table Bingo shines!
First, it turns a dull review session into something interactive. This resource, packed with 30 bingo cards and fun, challenging questions, helps your students review elements in a hands-on way. Instead of staring at a chart trying to memorize symbols and atomic numbers, they’re actively participating—and having fun!
And guess what? The more fun they have, the more they remember!
This periodic table review game doesn’t just make learning fun; it reinforces knowledge through repetition and interactive play. It keeps students on their toes and encourages them to think critically about the elements.
How Does It Work?
This game is pretty simple to set up and play, which is exactly what we need as busy teachers! You get 30 bingo cards (I recommend laminating them so you can reuse them over and over), and you can use coins, paperclips, or any small objects as markers.
Now, what really makes this periodic table study game stand out are the questions. You can adjust the difficulty depending on your class. Built-in differentiation. For example:
- For beginners, start with easy questions like “Which element has the symbol H?”
- If you’ve got a more advanced group, try something tougher like, “Which element burns with a pop and has only one proton?”
It’s up to you to decide how challenging the game is, and you can even have a student be the “question master.” I’ve found that letting students take charge makes them more invested in the game (and they’re far more rigorous in implementing the rules!). Plus, who doesn’t love being the one to ask the tricky questions?
Having multiple questions for each element also means you can replay the game over and over with different questions.
Why Teachers Love This Periodic Table Game
As someone who’s taught chemistry for years, I know the challenges that come with getting students excited about the periodic table. I’ve tried countless methods—diagrams, videos, flashcards—but often students just tune out or get overwhelmed. This game changes that.
- 1. Active Engagement: Instead of sitting and passively absorbing information, students are involved. They’re listening, thinking, and participating. It feels like play, but they’re learning important facts about the elements.
- 2. Flexible Difficulty: You can tailor the game to fit your class. For younger students or those just starting out, you can stick with the basic questions like, “Which element has the symbol He?” For more advanced students, throw in questions that require deeper knowledge, like “This element is used in batteries and has an atomic number of 3” (shoutout to lithium!).
- 3. A Break from Routine: Let’s be real, lessons on the periodic table can feel repetitive after a while. Periodic Table Bingo shakes things up and brings some fresh energy into the classroom. And if your students are anything like mine, they’ll love the chance to do something a little different.
Instead of memorizing lists of elements, students connect the dots through questions and answers. It’s a much more natural way of learning. Plus, it’s less intimidating than being quizzed on the spot—students are playing and learning without the pressure.
How to Use It in Your Classroom
- Review Session: Use it at the end of your periodic table unit as a fun review session. It’s a great way to refresh students’ memories before a test.
- Study Tool: It can also be used as an ongoing study game throughout the year. A few rounds here and there will help reinforce what they’ve learned.
- Break the Ice: At the beginning of the unit, you can use it to introduce elements in a relaxed way. It’s less formal than a lecture and helps ease students into the content.