Download Activity Name: Polyatomic Ion Bingo

Activity Name: Polyatomic Ion Bingo
Target Subject: Chemistry
Purpose: To memorize the major polyatomic ions
Background Information: An ion is an atom or group of atoms that
has a charge because of the loss or gain of electrons. A polyatomic
ion is an ion that consists of at least two different elements.
Polyatomic ions are common ingredients in many foods and
household products. Phosphate, nitrate, sulfate, and sulfite are just a
few examples. Memorizing the chemical formulas and names for the
major polyatomic ions can assist students in writing more complex
expressions in chemistry. Playing a game is an enjoyable way to
work on memorization skills.
Preparation: Prepare a game board for each student with 4 columns
and 4 rows. Use the letters C, H, E, and M as the headings for the
columns. Label each block on the board in Braille and large print with
the chemical formula or words for a variety of polyatomic ions.
(Students can help with this task if there is time) Also ask the
students to Braille or write out cards representing the words for all the
polyatomic ions and formulas for all the words represented on the
boards. Creating the cards and labels gives the students additional
opportunities to practice the correct spelling of the words and to write
the formulas using the subscripts and charge indicators.
Collect the cards and the game can begin.
Materials:
 Large sheets of stiff paper to be the game boards.
 Stick on labels that can be Brailled (available from www.APH.org )
 Index cards
 Markers such as 20/20 which produce clear large print writing
 Game pieces (if desired)
Procedure:
1. Select a student to be the caller and game master, or the teacher
can provide that role.
2. Select a card from the pile and call out the formula or name.
3. Students read the game boards to see if anyone has that ion on
the board. The student who does covers that spot on the board,
matching words to formulas and formulas to words. Alternately
students can use game pieces that stick to their boards to mark
the ions.
4. As in bingo, the first student who has 4 across, 4 down, or a
diagonal wins and calls out CHEM!
The same activity can be modified to help students learn the chemical
symbols for each element at an earlier point in the chemistry
curriculum.