Metals and Non-Metals

This 50-minute Chemistry lesson introduces metals and non-metals in a clear, structured, and SEN-friendly way. Created for students in an SEN Secondary School (KS3/4), but equally suitable for mainstream Year 7 science lessons.

Students build understanding through explicit teaching, guided practice, retrieval activities, scaffolded questioning, and independent application tasks. The lesson uses real-world examples and repeated retrieval to help students confidently identify the properties and uses of metals and non-metals.

Includes:

• Printable Periodic Table on slide 1
• 2 worksheets on slides 2 and 3
• Answer slides included
• Everything unblurred when bought
• Lesson Structure:

Task 1 – Metals vs Non-Metals on the Periodic Table
Students use two colours to separate their periodic table into metal and non-metals. Good settling activity.

Task 2 – Using the Periodic Table
Students use their periodic table to identify elements, symbols, and whether substances are metals or non-metals.

Explicit Teaching – Properties of Metals
Students learn key properties including: Shiny, High density, Malleable,
Ductile, Magnetic, Good conductors of heat and electricity

Explicit Teaching – Properties of Non-Metals
Students learn key properties including: Dull, Low density, Brittle, Non-malleable
Poor conductors, Non-magnetic

Task 3 – Property Sorting
Students use an information sheet to identify whether different properties belong to metals or non-metals.

Guided practice - Uses of Materials
Students explore how properties determine uses, including examples such as:
Electrical wires, Saucepans, Jewellery, Pencil lead.

Task 4 – “If I Am…” Activity
Students complete a scaffolded gap-fill worksheet, identifying whether common materials are metals or non-metals and linking their uses to their properties.

Plenary – Students complete a short retrieval activity reviewing:

Includes:
✔ Fully resourced PowerPoint
✔ Printable periodic table (slide 1)
✔ 2 worksheets (slides 2 and 3)
✔ Guided practice throughout
✔ Independent application tasks
✔ Answer slides included
✔ SEN-friendly scaffolding and retrieval practice - plenty of pictures!

Perfect for KS3/KS4 Chemistry, Year 7 science, SEN classrooms, intervention groups, and cover lessons.