Chemistry Christmas Theme Flashcards: Match Element Names and Symbols

Chemistry Flashcards – Match Main Group Element Names and Symbols

Holiday Theme: Christmas

This is a printable set of flashcards that I put together to help students remember the names and symbols of the elements. I’ve used this kind of thing around December when everyone’s a bit tired but we still want to do something related to chemistry. The cards have either the name of an element or its symbol, and students just try to find the right pairs. It’s simple, but they really do remember more that way.

There’s a bit of a seasonal theme to the design, which makes it feel different from the usual review work. You can use the cards in all sorts of ways — I’ve tried it as a memory game, or just as a quiet task for pairs. It depends on the group. For students who are still getting to know the periodic table, I just give them a smaller set with the first 20 or so elements. For stronger groups, they can use the full set and even add extra facts to each card while they’re working.

You don’t need anything special to prep the game. I just print the cards on thicker paper and sometimes laminate them if I want to keep them for next year. Once they’re cut out, you can keep them in small envelopes or boxes, depending on how you like to organize your materials.

It’s one of those things that’s easy to bring in when you need something hands-on but still subject-related. The students enjoy it more than a worksheet, and they do actually talk about the elements while they play, which is always a win. You can also use it as a station or a warm-up during December lessons.

All the cards are included, along with a short explanation of how to use them.

📍 Happy teaching,

Heike from Lernfitness

Did You Know?

I teach with a certified therapy dog, and together we create a positive and welcoming learning environment. 🐶