When we move from one step conversions to three-step stoichiometry problems, students struggle at first. The idea that they must combine three different conversions confuses them, and they need some support. Often, they need individual help more than I can offer, with lots of them needing my help and only one of me available. One solution I've found to this problem is "Lift A Flap" Stoichiometry Practice.
Students are given a regular stoich worksheet with three step problems (just like our practice the previous day, with new numbers and reaction examples). Set up around the room are eight stations with the problems worked out for them, but hidden under little paper flaps. They can peek to see how to set up any part of the problem they want, or they can just check their answers.
This activity isn't for a grade, as that just encourages them to copy the answers without thinking about the process. They know that tomorrow we're going to be doing a stoich lab, and if they don't understand the process, they won't be successful in their lab. This is a problem for two reasons - they will lose points tomorrow on the lab AND the lab is edible. If they don't calculate the quantities correctly, their drink will turn out disgusting. Hopefully tomorrow I'll take some photos and blog a bit about our Fizzy Drink Stoichiometry Lab. It was a big hit last year, and I'm really looking forward to trying it again.
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