And here we are, the main dish of chemistry → Chemical Reactions! I think it’s super important for students to understand how to name chemicals BEFORE they get to chemical reactions. This unit provides a great opportunity to practice their naming and formula writing skills. After all, they should be using these skills for the rest of the year!
I like to present chemical reactions as a puzzle. Many students may look at the notation (which they’ve been learning…) and balk at the sheer number of symbols on the board. But they know these symbols. They know this shorthand.
Chemical Reactions Lesson Plans
Total Duration: 9-10 days
Note: a day refers to 45-50 minute periods.
| Topic & Timeline | Tasks | Description |
| Writing Equations 1 day | Representing Chemical Reactions Notes + Practice | Let’s use those naming and formula skills from the last unit! This introduction is a great review and a logical preview of WHY we write chemical reactions in symbol notation. |
| Conservation of Mass Review 1 day | Rearranging Atoms Activity | This activity is a great introduction to balancing. I place 8-10 unbalance equations around the room that my students will figure out how to balance by the end of the activity. Before they get started, we discuss the Law of Conservation of Mass (LoCM). I have each group look at their equation to determine if it currently follows the law (none of them should). I then turn them loose to figure out how to get each equation to follow the LoCM.They will learn to balance them by drawing particle diagrams, using manipulatives (I like tiddlywinks), or even figuring out how to balance numerically without visuals. This opens up valuable group discussions that there isn’t just one way to solve a problem. **Depending on your class, you may need to give them the rule that no formulas can be changed. More advanced students will probably intuit this rule. |
| Balancing Reactions 1 day | Balancing Chemical Equations Notes + Practice | After yesterday’s activity, these notes should be a breeze. Take regular pauses and ask your students how they would balance different equations. They don’t have to balance the same way all the time. Taking a different approach for different problems can lead to great mental flexibility! |
| Types of Reactions 2-3 days | Types of Reactions Station Lab Types of Reactions Notes + Practice | I use a standard Types of Reactions Lab. There are 6 stations, one for each type. Students record their observations at each station and also balance the equation. At the end, they compare each reaction equation and write observations about how to tell them apart. The following day we take types of reactions notes. I refer back to each station from the previous day. Together we point out patterns that we noticed. |
| Predicting Products 1 day | Predicting Products Notes + Practice | I love predicting products. I think it really helps students solidify the patterns they’ve been picking up on. |
| Review 2 days | Whiteboard Review Study Guide Vocabulary Practice | I go through a series of questions. We start simply with identifying the types of reactions. Then we move on to predicting the type of reaction given only the reactants. Then I challenge them to predict the products, identify the type, and balance. Students really like to have a study guide for this unit, so I provide one after out whiteboard session along with optional vocabulary practice. |
| Assessment |
Looking for more?
The Chemistry Particle’s Guide to Teaching High School Chemistry, The Chemistry Particle
Reactions Notes Bundle, TeachersPayTeachers
Adjusting a Types of Reactions Lab for Virtual, ChemEdXchange
