Traditional methods of practicing chemical nomenclature offer little interactivity among students.  I attempted to energize this topic by physically engaging the students with beachballs labeled with chemical compound names that were categorized according to naming type, including Type I & II ionic compounds, as well as binary covalent compounds.  Names of each category were written on a particular ball, which was then tossed in the classroom from student to student.  Whomever caught the ball then had to properly name the compound where their left thumb landed.  The activity continued until all 10 compounds on each ball were named.  Student feedback was favorable in that they commented on how “fun” the activity was.

As a future educator, I strive to avoid using the word “fun” to describe my educational objectives and goals; rather I view them as engaging.  The information that I’m attempting to relay is important and a serious matter.  However, if fun to be found along the way, that is the fault of the students, not myself.

InTASC standards 3-7-8 were employed during this activity as I used planned a kinesthetic activity that was socially engaging for the class and covered a required content standard.  HLPs 1-12-14 were also used here to explain core content, and in choosing an implementing instructional choices.

Modeled after an activity from fellow Fellow Thomas S.