This video is a song listing the period table of elements in order, with an image for each one depicting something important about that element, such as where its found or who discovered it.
The song highlights special groups of elements like noble gases, halogens, and alkali metals and describes how the table is organized by the number of shells and electrons.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The song is upbeat and catchy, which will help students remember the elements.
Music students will recognize the Orphée aux enfers by Jacques Offenbach used in the resource.
Additional Prerequisites
The lyrics are available in the video notes on the YouTube site.
The resource includes links to two other element songs, as well as links to a related CD/DVD set and book.
Differentiation
This video would make a great introduction to the periodic table for chemistry classes.
Teachers should consider playing the video with closed captions and at a slower speed because it is very fast and can be difficult to follow at regular speed.
This video can connect to climate change by discussing some of the elements that play a key role in the greenhouse effect.
Have students use the same piece of music to write their own lyrics about a topic of study.
Performing arts students could use this song as a parody performance piece.
Scientist Notes
This video is a song that goes through all of the elements of the periodic table as well as some of the categories of elements, such as noble gasses, halogens etc. Each element has a visual associated with it. While the video is older, it covers fundamental information that will not go out of date. The information presented is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
PS1: Matter and its Interactions
HS-PS1-1 Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
