Learning Activity

Cartoon Chemistry

Subject Area

Science
Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

8

Overview

This activity provides the students with a visual description of the four types of chemical reactions using cartoon illustrations and then allows them time to interact with their peers so they will understand the components of each reaction. Students will also create a flip-book for the following reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single, and double replacement in order to describe the conservation of mass. Finally, students will use a digital tool to produce a "Cartoon Chemistry" artifact which will allow them to demonstrate their understanding of chemical reactions.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.R6

Produce, review, and revise authentic artifacts that include multimedia using appropriate digital tools.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.8.R6

Knowledge

Students know:
  • feedback is important in a design process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a multimedia artifact.
  • critique the work of others.
  • revise their work based on feedback received.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • much like the writing process, design of a multimedia artifact nets the best results when creators have the opportunity to be given feedback and revise as needed.
Science (2015) Grade(s): 8

SC15.8.6

Create a model, diagram, or digital simulation to describe conservation of mass in a chemical reaction and explain the resulting differences between products and reactants.

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.8.6

Vocabulary

  • Conservation of mass
  • Chemical reaction
  • Product
  • Reactant
  • Model (e.g., diagram, digital simulation)

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Substances react chemically in characteristic ways.
  • In a chemical reaction, the atoms that make up the original substances (reactants) are regrouped into different molecules, and these new substances (products) have different properties from those of the original substances (reactants).
  • In a chemical reaction, the total number of each type of atom is conserved, and the mass does not change. In a chemical reaction, each molecule in each of the reactants is made up of the same type(s) and number of atoms.
  • In a chemical reaction, the number and types of atoms that make up the products are equal to the number and types of atoms that make up the reactants.
  • Each type of atom has a specific mass, which is the same for all atoms of that type.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Develop a model, diagram, or digital simulation in which they identify the relevant components for a given chemical reaction.
  • Describe relationships between the components.
  • Use the model to describe that the atoms that make up the reactants rearrange and come together in different arrangements to form the products of a reaction.
  • Use the model to provide a causal account that mass is conserved during chemical reactions because the number and types of atoms that are in the reactants equal the number and types of atoms that are in the products, and all atoms of the same type have the same mass regardless of the molecule in which they are found.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • In a chemical reaction, the atoms of the reactants are regrouped into different molecules, and these products have different properties from those of the original reactants.
  • Mass is conserved during chemical reactions and the mass of reactants is equal to the mass of the products.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  1. The student will create a diagram to describe the conservation of mass in a chemical reaction.
  2. The student will model the differences between products and reactants.
  3. The student will create the four types of reactions using a digital tool and upload it to Google Classroom.

Activity Details

Students will create a flip-book as the video plays. They will take notes, create diagrams, and define scientific terms.

Flip-Book Instructions:

How to make the Flip-Book: http://sblc.registereastconn.org/foldables/LayeredLookBook.pdf

Take three sheets of paper and fold them over evenly in order to make six pages for the flip-book. Staple securely.

Page 1- Heading- Types of  Chemical Reactions

Page 2- Synthesis

Page 3- Decomposition

Page 4- Single Replacement

Page 5- Double Replacement

Page 6- Law of Conservation of Mass

Video Link for Activity:

"Classifying Chemical Reactions Flintstones": http://viewpure.com/g-biRwAVTV8?start=0&end=0

Once the students have created the flip-book, on page 1 students will write the title, "Types of Chemical Reactions".

As the video plays, the students will write the reaction name on a flap, the definition, and create a new diagram, for each chemical reaction. If time allows, students should color their illustrations.

Examples:

Synthesis

Two or more elements come together to form one compound.

Hotdog plus bun yields hotdog 

A + B  → AB

Decomposition

One compound splits into two or more pieces.

Banana yields a peeling plus fruit

AB →  A + B
 
Single Replacement
 
One element replaces another element in a compound forming a new compound (2 possible answers).

Fries Drink plus Burger yields Burger Drink plus Fries

AX + B →  AB + X

Double Replacement

Two different compounds switch places.

UG UA plus TN UA yields TN UG plus AL UA 

AB + XY →  AY + XB

Law of Conservation of Mass
 
The law of conservation of mass indicates that mass cannot be created nor destroyed. This means the total mass of reactants in a chemical reaction will equal the total mass of the products.

After the video, allow time for students to share their illustrations with their group members.

Once the students have become familiar with the four types of chemical reactions and have developed an understanding for the conservation of mass then they may begin working on the digital artifact.

Students may use the flipbook as a guide when they are creating the "Cartoon Chemistry" artifact.

Creating the "Cartoon Chemistry" artifact with Google Slides:

Each slide should have the name of the reaction, clip-art that represents the reaction, and a sentence that explains the illustration. 

Slide 1 Title- Cartoon Chemistry, Name, Period, and Date

Slide 2 Synthesis-

Slide 3 Decomposition- 

Slide 4 Single Replacement-

Slide 5 Double Replacement-

Example:  

Synthesis

The student would have a picture of ice cream, plus sign, milk, an arrow, then a milkshake. 

The sentence would read "Ice cream plus milk yields a milkshake."

Once the assignment is complete, the students will upload it to Google Classroom.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Students will be evaluated on their "Cartoon Chemistry" flip-book. 

Students will be evaluated on their digital artifact (format may vary based on access to a digital device).

Variation Tips

Sample Page:

http://mychemistryclass.net/Files/Extra%20Resources%20for%20Website/CartoonChemistry.pdf

Additional Resources:

http://www.sciencespot.net/Media/ChemReactionsWkst.pdf

http://www.loreescience.ca/uploads/2/4/1/7/24170983/cartoon_chemistry_and_reaction_types.pdf

Suggestions for Digital Cartoon Chemistry Project: Google Slides or Padlet

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

projector and Internet connection

paper (for flip-book)

markers or colored pencils

device for each student 

access to Google Classroom

Digital Tools / Resources

Classifying Chemical Reactions Flintstones
http://viewpure.com/g-biRwAVTV8?start=0&end=0

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

rhinehart
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