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ACTIVITY in Balancing Equations, Predicting Products. Last updated January 29, 2024.

Summary

In this activity, students practice completing and balancing chemical equations with a partner.

Grade Level

High or middle school

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

  • determine the products of a reaction between given reactants.
  • balance chemical equations.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of

  • Balancing equations

Time

Teacher Preparation: 15–20 minutes

Lesson: 60–90 minutes

Materials

  • Printed set of snowman equation cards
  • Student worksheets

Safety

  • There are no special safety considerations for this activity.

Teacher Notes

  • Prepare a set of 36 snowman cards. To help the cards last longer, print on heavy cover stock and/or laminate.
  • Set aside an area of your classroom for the snowman cards.
  • During the game, it is helpful to stay in the same spot so that students can come to you to get their answers checked.
  • Limit the teams to a total of two people. If you have an odd number of students, ask for a volunteer to work alone.

For the Student

Lesson

Procedure

Pick a card and balance the chemical equation found on that card! Write the number, equation, and answer in the box below and have your teacher check your answer. If the answer is correct, put the card back and pick another card. If you do not get the correct answer, keep trying until you get it right!

Game Rules

  1. If you pick it, you solve it! Teams are not allowed to put a card back if they don’t like the problem on that card. Teams are also not allowed to peek at the problem before choosing to take a card!
  2. Your team can only work on one card at a time! Teams must finish a card and get the answer approved by your teacher before getting for another card.
  3. Teams must stay together and solve the problems together! All team members must be together when checking answers.