Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Just a couple of weeks ago, my grade-level chemistry class was struggling knowing how to determine whether a single or double displacement reaction would take place. In an effort to help them, I made some cards with various compounds and metals on them. In just a few minutes, they were helping each other sort the cards into reactions that would and would not happen. That idea became my new free game, Reaction Time! Here is how I used it.
Sorting cards
The cards all have either an aqueous ionic compound or metal. At first, I just had the groups dig through the stack and find sets of cards that would make a reaction. This required them to use an activity series for single displacement and solubility rules for double displacement. Since some of the kids had been having trouble knowing when to use each resource, the sorting activity allowed them to see it in slow motion. They explained to each other why they were using which resource.
Then I had them make reactions that would not happen. This forced them to think through their procedure. Two metals wouldn’t make a reaction. A metal and a compound wouldn’t make a single displacement reaction if the cation in the compound was higher on the activity series. And a double displacement wouldn’t occur if the products were both soluble.
Playing the game
The game, Reaction Time, is very simple. I had groups of 4-6 kids gather around a deck of cards. They shuffled the cards and laid them in a pile face down. They turn up one card in the discard pile. Then they would arrange some rubber stoppers in the middle of the table. I gave them enough stoppers for the number of people in the group minus 1. If 6 kids were playing, they get 5 stoppers. Once ready, one player quickly flips over the next card in the draw pile. If there is a reaction between the two cards that are face up, the students race to grab a stopper. Is this pretty much “Spoons” but with chemical reactions and rubber stoppers? Absolutely! But the kids love it! They get excited to win, and they love trying to fake others into grabbing the stopper at the wrong time. After that round, the newest card is moved to the top of the discard and a new one is flipped over.
Scoring is easy. Every time a kid gets a stopper when a reaction happens, they get a point. If they grab a stopper incorrectly (when a reaction does not occur) they lose two points. If the teacher finds that too many kids are just watching for the “smart kid” to grab the stopper, then lower the number of stoppers.
The nice thing about this simple little game is that you have complete control over how long to play. You can set the number of points to win very low and only play for a few minutes. This is a great way to help students review single and double displacement reactions. I had them play the game for just a few minutes the second time right before a quiz. It was a great way to review. It’s a simple game that allows students to communicate slowly and carefully when they are sorting and then get faster as they play the game. If you want a free copy, just complete the pop-up on www.stoichdecks.com. You will get an email with the pdf files. The download includes the cards as well as the solubility rules and activity series. Enjoy!
The pre-order sale for Who's your ion? is almost over! This game is both a classroom manipulative to help students balance charges on ionic compounds, but it is also a fast-paced family style game that helps them identify soluble and insoluble compounds. Pre-order now and save 20% off. You also get a 23% off coupon for the ultimate Classroom Set. Who's your ion? will ship this spring.
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