Purpose of activity:  To reinforce the concept of how atoms combine with carbon to make organic molecules, with special attention to how many bonds each type of atom can make (carbon can make four, hydrogen only one, etc.)

Description:  Individual cards are marked the abbreviations for the elements: C, H. O, Cl, N, Br.  Each card also shows how many bonds that atom can make.  Players lay down their cards, in turn, to form large organic molecules, as they try to get rid of all the cards in their hand.

Target audience:  grades 6-10 (but could be used with younger students, with no special adaptation)

Time allowance:  Some games are over quickly, in just 5-10 minutes.  But most games last longer, more like 20 minutes.  Occasionally a game will go on longer than that.  Players should be encouraged to play the game several times, as the outcome of each game (and the molecules formed) can be very different.

Materials needed: Copies of the pattern pages printed on card stock, scissors