Purpose of game:  To become familiar with the chemical elements (names, symbols, what they are used for)

Description:  There is one card for every element on the Periodic Table.  The card gives basic information about the element, including what it is used for.  Each player is dealt a hand of six cards.  A "caller" calls out clues such as "An element whose name starts with the letter C" and the player scramble to be first one to identify such a card in his hand.  It's a fast-paced game.  In my experience, I've found that students will ask to play the game over and over again!

 Target age group:  grades 4-8 (but can be used with high school; possibly with younger if they read pretty well)

 Time required:  Any amount of time-- play as long as you like.  (One round could take anywhere from 2-10 minutes.  Like many other card games, you play multiple rounds.)

 Materials needed:  Photocopies of the twelve pattern pages printed onto card stock.