Balancing Equations Lesson Plan

Class: Chemistry Grade Level: 9-12 Unit: Balancing Equations Teacher: Mr. Anthony Gates Objectives Understand fundamental structure of a chemical equation Understand how to balance a chemical equation Iowa Core Curriculum-Subject Area Standard Chemical Reactions 21st Century Skill(s) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication and Collaboration Essential Question How do chemicals undergo reactions and why is this important in the everyday world? For the Teacher This lesson is based on a previous understanding of: the Law of Conservation of Mass; moles; and chemical symbols. Anticipatory Set Bell Work (5min): Watch the video, at the following link address, about balancing toys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-sjDm8-IuA Have the students write down why they think the toys didnt fall over on their own and what caused the toys to fall over in the end. Questions to ask (5min): Why was the toy structure able to stay standing in the beginning? What caused the structure to fall over in the end? Does anyone remember what the Law of Conservation of Mass says? If not, it basically says that matter cannot be created nor destroyed. It does allow matter to change its physical or chemical structure. How can this idea of balance be related to the law of conservation of mass? (It is okay if the students cannot answer this question. This is the point of this lesson. This question is simply to get them thinking about it). Teaching: Activities

The teacher provides the information needed for students to gain the knowledge or skill through lecture, film, tape, video, pictures, projects, cooperative learning, educational technology, discussion, etc Have the students create a KWL chart on Balanced Chemical Equations (5min). They should put everything they may already know about chemical equations on the K column and write down a couple of things they want to know about Balanced Chemical Equations under the W column. Ask the students what were some of the things they put down under their K and W columns. Write the answers on the board for the class to see (10min). Lecture while following along the Balancing Chemical Equations Power Point (15min) Practice balancing equations (30min): a. Hand out Balancing Chemical Equations Practice to each student, explain directions, and have the students work in pairs. b. Students may use the M&Ms to symbolize the atoms and molecules if it helps. Each color will be a different element and each M&M is a different atom. The students then draw the molecules using the M&Ms and keep making molecules on each side of an equation until both sides of the equation have the same number of each color. Have the students come to the front board and show the class how they balanced the chemical equation from the practice sheet (15min). Have a different student show each practice problem. If they get stuck they can call on their classmates to help them out. Students may eat the M&Ms afterwards, but if they take them to another class they have to get permission from their teacher before eating them in their class.

Closure Now that they have all had some experience balancing equations, ask the question from the anticipatory set again and have them write it down to turn in as they leave (5min): How can the idea of balance apply to the Law of Conservation of Mass? Independent Practice Assign Book Problems (depends on the book). Assessment The examples on the board along with the explanations will give some feedback on how the students are coming to understand the concept. Test Questions: Balance the following chemical equation:

___C7H10N + ___O2 ___CO2 + ___H2O + ___NO2

Materials 1. Balancing Chemical Equations Power Point 2. Balancing Chemical Equations Practice sheet a. Enough for each student and a few extras 3. YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-sjDm8-IuA 4. M&Ms 5. Dry erase board and markers 6. Projector and screen

Duration See Activity Descriptions

Modified from Madeline Hunters Lesson Plan Design