Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Untwining and Intertwining

Chemical Reactions

K20 Center, Alexandra Parsons, Kristin Zuromski | Published: November 18th, 2022 by K20 Center

  • Grade Level Grade Level 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
  • Subject Subject Science
  • Course Course Chemistry, Physical Science
  • Time Frame Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
  • Duration More 90 minutes

Summary

Students will investigate different classifications chemical reactions. This lesson is intended to not only focus on critical thinking skills to help build context, but there are no chemicals used at all, so is low budget. However, if you can afford chemicals, go take a look at the lesson Happy, Mad, Sleepy, Sad for classification of chemical reactions using real reactions (which is of course, best).

Essential Question(s)

What is the benefit of classifications?

Snapshot

Engage

Students complete a "What is classification?" Card Sort activity.

Explore

Students predict definitions based on their prior knowledge.

Explain

Students complete a Gallery Walk to learn about the five types of chemical reactions while filling out Frayer Models.

Extend

Students create their own analogies in groups on a poster.

Evaluate

Students share/act out their analogies to the whole class.

Materials

  • Classification pictures printed, cut out, and sorted into individual bags (attached)

  • Sticky easel pad paper

  • Sticky notes

  • Frayer Model cards (attached) or reusable Frayer Models

  • Markers (Mr. Sketch, Sharpie, etc.)

  • Reaction Types Gallery Walk handout (attached)

  • Chemical Reactions handout (attached)

  • Rubric handout (attached)

  • Dry erase markers (for reusable Frayer models)

  • Pencils/pens

Engage

Cut up the objects found in the Engage Card Sort. Pass out a set to each pair of students, and tell them to put the objects into groups that make sense to them.

Once the students are done, have the pairs share out how they grouped and why they grouped the way they did.

Explore

Post the following words on the board for all the students to see:

  • Combustion

  • Synthesis

  • Decomposition

  • Single Displacement

  • Double Displacement

  • Precipitation (optional)

  • Acid-Base (optional)

  • Oxidation-Reduction (optional)

Tell the pairs of students that they need to reflect over everything they know, inside and out of this class, to predict definitions and examples for each of these words. To help the students contextualize, tell them that these are categories in chemistry.

After they are done, have the pairs share out. To ensure that there is enough sharing, engage in a Take Five strategy. That is, at least five pairs need to share at least one prediction before moving on.

Explain

Students will go on a gallery walk (print off slides from Explain Chemical Reactions Type Gallery Walk and place them at 5 distinct stations around the room) to 'observe' the types of chemical reactions.

As they rotate between the stations (about 4 minutes at each station), students will fill out Frayer Models of each of the reaction types (see Explain: Frayer Models).

Extend

Students will create their own analogies to differentiate between types of reactions.

Students will work in groups of 2-4 students, and create an easel-sized poster that has the following information:

  • name of each reaction type

  • at least one analogy for each of the reaction types

  • at least two chemistry examples of each reaction

The posters can be graded based on the provided rubric (see Extend Rubric).

Evaluate

Student teams will present their analogies to the class. Encourage them to include as many motions or skit-like behaviors to make the presentations fun and memorable to the students.

Resources