Student teachers at Ball State University are required to complete an in-depth unit long data driven analysis of their student teaching called Learning Assessment Model Project (LAMP). I chose to run the project during the stoichiometry unit. Stoichiometry is a unifying topic of chemistry. It synthesizes previously taught topics of writing chemical formulas, calculating molar masses, performing molar conversions, and balancing chemical reaction equations so that students may apply prior knowledge to its fullest use. Stoichiometry is rigorous and challenging for students. My aim was to make this topic both accessible and useful for my students by relating it to their everyday lives. We chose the stoichiometry unit to run our LAMP project in as most students, except possibly those who have taken integrated chemistry and physics, have no experience with stoichiometry. We wanted to see the direct impact that our teaching had upon students. The following is a summary of the project, its outcome and conclusions drawn from it.
Tag Archives: differentiated
Solution Riddles
I adapted the http://espace.bsu.edu/akhouck/2015/10/08/find-me-a-solution-please/ lab from Chemistry II for the Chemistry I students to use as a lab in preparation for the end of unit lab practical exam that some students had chosen to take. Aside from reinforcing solution chemistry calculations, this lab offered more in class practice using volumetric glassware and their associated techniques. A problem arose when each lab group required 3 volumetric flasks and our room only had a total of 12 flasks available for use. In order to circumvent extra large lab groups, but still keep students engaged, I composed a nine question problem set involving molarity, molality and dilution caluclations. In order to solve the problems, students had to answer riddles and find clues hidden around our room. At each location students solved a particular problem and then moved on to find a the next clue to solve.
Best Days: Differentiated Instruction
There was an advanced group of students developing in one section of Chemistry I that began to act out in boredom in class during the Gas Laws unit. I used pregnant pauses, proximal discipline and even stopped my instruction in an attempt to quell their behavior. Over one weekend I really thought about how best to approach the situation and I came to the conclusion that that particular group of students simply needed to be given work and then set loose to complete their required assignments. What was really needed was an equitable assignment for all students, but in multiple versions. My second attempt at differentiated instruction had begun.
Authentic Assessment: Solution Exam Practical
I always enjoy any activity that involves authentic laboratory work, so when it came time for the solutions unit in Chemistry I, I decided to allow students a choice for their end of unit assessment. Either assessment was worth the same number of points, but there would be an option of either completing a traditional paper and pencil test, or performing a lab practical exam that involved making actual solutions. A rubric was constructed to grade the outcome of the practical: Solution Lab Practical Rubric as well as a modified testing instrument: Solutions Practical Exam
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Balancing Chemical Reaction Equations Using Beads
Kinesthetic activities are one of my favorite ways to engage students in their learning. We utilized several methods in modeling the art of balancing chemical reaction equations, but one of my favorite activities was balancing reactions using beads.
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Stoichiometry Organizer
Stoichiometry is the heart of chemistry, but is often a challenging concept for students to grasp. My goal was to generate an informational organizer for students to use to assemble all of the necessary pieces of information in order to successfully solve a gram to gram stoichiometry problem. The resulting algorithm organizer was introduced to students during the stoichiometry unit: