My tool to help recall examples of oxidation/reduction reactions is a worksheet. The worksheet has different equations that the students have to be able to see what element was oxidized and which one was reduced. Worksheet: “Practice Chemistry Worksheets!,” retrieved November 18, 2009 from http://misterguch.brinkster.net/pra_equationworksheets.html

Implementation

This worksheet would be used as a reinforcement of the objective, making sure the students understand what is being oxidized and what is being reduced. This tool would be best used with students in grades 6 to 8. A teacher could modify the tool to cater to her students, making it easier or harder. The topic of the unit being done would be about oxidation and reduction. Since this is a reinforcement tool the students would need prior knowledge of what oxidation and reduction are. As a class you should go over oxidation and reduction examples so the students can understand what is being oxidized and what is not. The class could do experiments like the hand warmers, where you put a piece of steel wool dipped into vinegar and put it in a test tube. Then you put the test tube into a beaker of water and watch what happens. This will help the students see physically what is happening in the oxidation and reduction actions. After all of the students gain knowledge of the unit they will be given this tool, a worksheet, to wrap up their understanding of the unit.

The materials needed for this tool is enough copies for all of the students in the class and one for you. You should be able to make copies for free at your school.

Step by Step Procedure

1. After the class has been taught the unit they will be given a worksheet with oxidation and reduction equations on it.

2. They will individually complete the worksheet on their own time.

3. The next day we will go over worksheet as a whole class to make sure we have cleared up all questions and trouble with the worksheet and unit.

There are no safety, legal, or ethical issues involved in the use of this tool.

Evaluation

This tool completely addresses all aspects of the objective. The worksheet has six equations on it that the students have to identify what was being oxidized and what was being reduced. I believe that this tool will effectively help the learner master the objective. Not only by doing the worksheet but doing the experiment I stated previously. Doing the experiment will help the visual learners and the hands on learners, the worksheet will help the visual and concrete learners, and going over the worksheet after it has been completed will help the whole class. This worksheet will help the students recognize what the equations look like when they have been oxidized and reduced. This is also a good tool because it does not cost to make copies of the worksheet if your school has a copy machine. You could also go to a local copy place and get copies for about 10 cents a copy. If a copy machine is not available to you and you do not want to pay out of your own pocket, you could use a computer or projector to show the whole class the worksheet and they can write the equations on their own piece of paper. If you do not have a projector or computer available you could write the equations on the board for the students to copy down.

Here is a copy of the worksheet I proveided for you.

Oxidation and Reduction Practice

In each of the following equations, indicate the element that has been oxidized and the one that has been reduced. You should also label the oxidation state of each before and after the process:

1) 2 Na + FeCl2 = 2 NaCl + Fe

2) 2 C2H2 + 5 O2 = 4 CO2 + 2 H2O

3) 2 PbS + 3 O2 = 2 SO2 + 2 PbO

4) 2 H2 + O2 = 2 H2O

5) Cu + HNO3 = CuNO3 + H2

6) AgNO3 + Cu = CuNO3 + Ag