Why the periodic table is a student’s best friend

An image showing an open backpack containing a periodic table lunch box, a printed periodic table, a textbook, a notebook and a pen; a mug with the periodic table printed on it can also be seen on the table

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

How to encourage your pupils to use it as a resource

Just as we learn to scan articles for information, we need to help our students to ‘read’ the periodic table in a similar way. Familiarity with the periodic table means students have more time to think creatively to solve problems. Simple strategies such as retrieval practice can help.

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