Matter is any living or non-living thing that takes up space. Matter is made up of one or a combination of atoms. Scientists know about 100 different kinds of atoms.   An element is matter that is made up of only one type of atom. Copper, iron, silver, and gold are examples of  solids that are elements. Helium is a gas that is also an element because it's only made up of one kind of matter (helium atoms).  Elements are known as the building blocks of matter.

Click here to see a periodic table with a "comic twist."  http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/