Constructing a Periodic Table: A Proposed Practice Activity for High School Chemistry Classes

Abstract

This experience report aimed to describe a playful classroom activity wherein high school students from a public school participated in the construction of a periodic table. This descriptive study applied a qualitative approach to a case study. To achieve this, a practical activity to construct a periodic table with accessible materials was proposed with the aim of promoting students’ understanding of the periodic table and relating it to their daily lives. The methodology used enabled the students to review the chemical elements of the periodic table and their distribution and classification into different families, thus highlighting the interaction among the student group members. The activity’s content contextualization provided a better understanding of the subject and made it more realistic. Thus, schools must consider the importance of playful activities in student development and propose learning situations that will enable teachers to diversify their teaching methods and make classes more dynamic and differentiated.