Tom the Atom

Goal: On Wednesday after school, Tom the Atom introduces to Mary and Henry all naturally existing atoms (a total of 92) and the ten families formed (families are classified "by similarities".) All atoms are organized in a general Table (called the "Chemical Periodic Table") that has 18 columns. Tom the Atom explains to Henry and Mary how all atom's body is similar but different. They are similar because the masses of all atoms have neutrons and protons in their nucleus (or center...
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Goal: On Wednesday after school, Tom the Atom introduces to Mary and Henry all naturally existing atoms (a total of 92) and the ten families formed (families are classified "by similarities".) All atoms are organized in a general Table (called the "Chemical Periodic Table") that has 18 columns. Tom the Atom explains to Henry and Mary how all atom's body is similar but different. They are similar because the masses of all atoms have neutrons and protons in their nucleus (or center part) and electrons rotating around their nucleus (in belts or shells) -just as the planets circle the sun!. The shells or belts that contain the electrons and are the orbits around the nucleus have a maximum number of electrons. The outer shell's electrons are called "valence electrons;" but Tom the Atoms call them "hands." He explains that atoms like to have their outer shell filled with the maximum number of electrons they can accommodate. Accordingly, if the outer shell is not full, it will have valence electrons and empty spaces waiting for trapping more electrons. Those empty spaces, Tom the Atom calls them "empty sleeves," for now.