A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
This lesson explains how ionic bonds are formed to form ions and describes the structure of an ionic compound. The engaging lesson PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 1.21 and 1.27 of the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry specification and this also covers those points on the Combined Science specification.
The lesson begins by introducing the name of the type of bond, but does not go into any more detail at this stage. This is because the lesson is designed to allow the students to discover that in order for both of the atoms involved to get a full outer shell, electrons have to be transferred from one to the other. Over the course of the lesson, students will recognise that it is the metal that loses the electrons and becomes a positive ion whilst the non-metal gains the electrons and becomes a negative ion. There are lots of discussion and discovery points like this written into the lesson so that students can take ownership for their learning. Students are guided through drawing dot and cross diagrams to represent these compounds and as a result links are made to the topics of naming compounds, writing chemical formulae, forming ions and electron configurations. There are a number of quick competitions in the lesson which introduce new terms to the students. One such competition introduces the term lattice and the lesson builds from here to understand why ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. Moving forwards, students will also learn that solid ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity whilst those in molten form or in an aqueous solution are able to. The final task of the lesson challenges the students to bring all of the information together they have seen to draw a dot and cross diagram for aluminium oxide, explain how it was formed and then explain how aluminium is extracted from this compound by electrolysis. This final task has been differentiated so that students who need extra assistance can still access the learning.
This lesson has been written for GCSE aged students but could be used with higher ability younger students who are pushing on with the elements, compounds and mixtures topic
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, engaging quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C1 & C6 - C8, that will assessed on PAPER 4. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the key ideas are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Hydrocarbons
The homologous series of alkanes
Empirical formula
Covalent dot and cross diagrams
Fractional distillation of crude oil
The properties of the different fractions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
Changes in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Deforestation
Changes in the Earth’s atmosphere
Polluting gases
The formation of acid rain
Detecting oxygen and chlorine
The properties of the halogens
Metals vs non-metals
The reaction of alkali metals with water
Explaining the pattern of reactivity of the alkali metals
The collision theory
Endothermic and exothermic reactions
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere and explaining the reactivity of the alkali metals in terms of electronic configurations.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the duration of the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 4 exam.
This lesson explains how the complete combustion of hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide and water and explains how write equations to represent these reactions. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the second lesson in a series of 2 which have been designed to cover the detail in point 7.1.3 of the AQA GCSE Chemistry & Combined Science specifications.
As shown in the cover picture, the lesson starts with a challenge where the students have to recognise the key term combustion from its suffix and a brief definition. Moving forwards, students will discover that the combustion of hydrocarbons releases energy and during this reaction, the carbon and hydrogen are oxidised. Time is taken to emphasise that sufficient oxygen needs to be present for complete combustion to occur and that if the supply is plentiful then carbon dioxide and water will be produced. The main part of the lesson uses a step by step guide to show students how to write word equations and balanced symbol equations for these reactions, before they are challenged to apply their understanding to write their own. All of the exam questions have mark schemes embedded into the PowerPoint to allow the students to self-assess. The final part of the lesson uses an internet article about carbon monoxide poisoning to introduce that this toxic gas can be produced when oxygen is insufficient.
This lesson describes the size and mass of atoms and describes the relative mass and electrical charge of the subatomic particles. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the first lesson in a series of 3 that has been designed to cover specification points 1.1.4 - 1.1.6 of the AQA GCSE Chemistry & Combined Science specifications.
The lesson begins by introducing giga as a prefix of size and this leads into a task where the students have to order the other prefixes from largest to smallest. This introduces the nanometre and students will learn the size of the radius of an atom is 0.1nm. Time is taken to compare this size against that of a football and a human egg cell to try to put this atom radius into context. Moving forwards, the term “subatomic particles” is introduced and the students are challenged to recall the names of the three types along with their location within the atom from their lessons on the development of the atomic model earlier in topic 1. They are told that most of atom’s mass is in the nucleus and therefore can work out the protons and neutrons have much higher relative masses than electrons. They will also learn the relative electrical charges of the particles and are challenged to use this to state the overall charge of an atom and the nucleus.
There is a considerable amount of Maths written into this lesson including the use of standard form and conversion between units and step by step guides are used to support the students with this work
This detailed revision lesson challenges the students on their understanding of the reactions of acids with metals to produce salts and hydrogen. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources focus on the details of point 4.2.1 in the AQA GCSE chemistry and combined specifications, and time is spent reminding the students that these reactions are redox reactions.
The students are given the general word equation for acids reacting with metals and are challenged to recall how to name the salts according to the metal and acid involved in the reaction. They are reminded that redox reactions involve the loss and gain of electrons and are challenged to identify the substances which are reduced or oxidised in specific examples.
In addition to the reactions of acids with metals, this revision lesson also challenges them to write chemical formulae, balance symbol equations, and to identify the tests for gases.
A fully resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within topics C4 - C6 of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification that can be assessed in PAPER 4
The topics covered are:
C4: Predicting and identifying reactions and products
C5: Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions
C6: Global challenges
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require further attention
A fully resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C9 (Chemistry of the atmosphere) of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification (specification point C5.9).
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
The proportion of different gases in the atmosphere
The Earth’s early atmosphere
Greenhouse gases
Atmospheric pollutants
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require further attention
A fully resourced lesson which includes an informative lesson presentation (25 slides) and an associated worksheet that show students how to give answers to a certain number of significant figures. The answers to questions in Science are often required to be given in significant figures and this lesson guides students through this process, including the rules of rounding that must be applied for success to be likely.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students but is suitable for KS3
A fully resourced lesson that includes a lesson presentation (31 slides) and a related newspaper story to allow the students to compare the structure and properties of two allotropes of carbon, diamond and graphite. Students are guided through the structures and then challenged to work out how this relates to their respective properties. Time is taken to focus on the comparison between the two in terms of their ability to conduct electricity. A step by step answer is used to explain why diamond cannot conduct electricity so that students can use this when forming their answer for graphite.
This lesson has been designed primarily for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds) where questions comparing these two substances are common but it is suitable for use with younger students too.
A fully resourced lesson, which includes an informative lesson presentation (22 slides) and differentiated worksheets that guide students through the topic of balancing symbol equations. The lesson takes the students through the steps involved and begins by getting them to be able to recognise when an equation is balanced or not. The difficulty of the equations to be balanced increases as the lesson progresses and students are given helpful hints to aid their progress.
This lesson is suitable for both KS3 and GCSE students
A detailed lesson which uses a step by step guide to take students through titration calculations. The lesson begins by looking at jey terminology such as the “rough” and “titre”, which are discussed and explained so that there isnt any confusion. Time is taken to go over key steps in the method, such as using the molar ratio from the equation, so that students are prepared for these if they encounter in an assessment.
This lesson has been designed primarily for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK) but is suitable for older students covering this at A-level
A concise and engaging lesson, which looks at chemical and physical changes with the key objective that students can recognise the differences between the two. Key terminology is used throughout, such as irreversible and practical examples are discussed. A number of short sharp quiz competitions are used to maintain motivation as well as checking on the understanding.
This lesson is suitable for KS3 and GCSE students (11 - 16 year olds in the UK)
A fully-resourced lesson, which includes a lesson presentation (49 slides) and associated worksheets and guides students through the topic of extracting metals. The main focus of the lesson is the extracting of the metals (from their oxides) that fall below carbon in the reactivity series. Students will see how the metal oxides are reduced in order to form the required metal. Some time is taken to briefly look at the extraction of aluminium from aluminium oxide but if a lesson on the extraction of a particular metal is sought, then please look at my additional resources which cover iron and aluminium in greater detail.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK)
A fully-resourced lesson which includes a lesson presentation (24 slides) and a worksheet which is differentiated so that students can judge their understanding of the topic of writing half equations for electrolysis and access the work accordingly. The lesson uses worked examples and helpful hints to show the students how to write half equations at both the cathode and anode. Time is taken to remind students about the rules at the electrodes when the electrolyte is in solution so that they can work out the products before writing the equations.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 years old in the UK) but could be used with older students.
A detailed lesson which includes a lesson presentation (52 slides) and an associated worksheet that goes through the basis of electrolysis and then focuses on the examples when the electrolyte is a molten salt. The lesson has been designed to move in small steps with regular progress checks so that key details are fully understood. It begins by ensuring that students understand which ions are attracted to which electrode. The lesson then looks at how electrons are either gained or lost at the electrodes and this is related to redox reactions as well. Helpful hints and exam question tips are given throughout to aid students with this commonly assessed topic.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK) but could be used with both older and younger students
A fully-resourced lesson which guides students through the method involved in calculating the empirical formula and includes a concise, clear lesson presentation (21 slides) and practice questions. Students are given a template to use as they are introduced to the questions and then encouraged to work without it as the lesson progresses. The students are shown how empirical formula questions can be made more difficult and hints are given so that students are able to tackle them and access all of the marks available.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK)
A fully-resourced lesson which looks at the saturated hydrocarbons known as the alkanes and focuses on their structure and reactions. The lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (38 slides) and an associated worksheet which is differentiated.
The lesson begins with the introduction of the name of this group and then a step-by-step guide is used to show students how to draw the displayed formula. Once the first four have been drawn, students are shown how to calculate the general formula for the alkenes and then challenged to do the same for the alkanes. Moving forwards, students will meet the key term, saturated, and time is taken to ensure that the meaning of this word is understood in the context of this lesson. Once they have been introduced to bromine water, students are challenged to work out what will happen when this substance is added to an alkane and they have to explain their answer. The remainder of the lesson looks at the complete and incomplete combustion of the alkanes, focusing on the different products of these reactions and specifically the problems associated with carbon monoxide.
There are regular progress checks throughout the lesson to allow the students to check on their understanding.
A resourced lesson which guides students through the method of writing word equations for a range of different chemical reactions. The lesson includes an engaging and informative lesson presentation (33 slides) and an associated worksheet containing questions.
The lesson begins by reminding students of the form which word equations take, with the reactants chemically changing into the products. Moving forwards, time is taken to show students how to work out the name of a compound that contains either 2 or 3 elements. This moves nicely into the reaction of acids and how to name the salt that is produced. Students are shown the general formula for the reactions of acids with a metal, a metal carbonate and a metal oxide or hydroxide so that they can form word equations for each of these reactions in the progress check task. The final section of the lesson introduces reversible reactions to the students and shows them the symbol that is used in these word equations to replace the arrow. There are regular progress checks throughout the lesson to allow the students to check on their understanding and thorough explanations of the required answers.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students but is perfectly suitable for KS3 students too.
A fully-resourced lesson which uses a step-by-step guide to show students how to write fully balanced symbol equations. The lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (38 slides) and associated worksheets containing questions which iaredifferentiated.
The lesson begins by talking the students through the three steps involved in writing a chemical symbol equation. The first step involves writing in the formula for the elements. Students are introduced to the term, diatomic, and shown the 8 molecules that have to be written as a pair of atoms. Moving forwards, students are shown how to write chemical formulae for ionic compounds. They are reminded of how to use the group of the Periodic Table to work out the ion charge and how this is crucial when writing the formula. They are also shown how to write formulae which include brackets which is necessary when the charged molecules are involved. Finally, students are reminded of the rules of balancing symbol equations. There are progress checks at each stage so that students can assess their understanding and any misconceptions can be be addressed immediately. Time is taken to talk about state symbols, in case the exam question requires these to be included in the equation. The final section of the lesson involves students bringing their new-found skills together to write symbol equations for a range of reactions, including a neutralisation and reversible reaction. This task is differentiated so that students who need a little bit of assistance can still access the work.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students (14-16 year olds in the UK)
A resourced lesson which looks at the key details of a titration to enable students to generate results which could be used in a titration calculation. The lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (29 slides) and an associated worksheet.
The lesson begins with a spot of fun as students are challenged to read the script of a scene from Friends to identify a neutralisation reaction. Students will learn that a method called a titration can use the results of an acid-base neutralisation to work out the concentration of an unknown. Students will learn the names of the equipment involved through a quiz competition and will then be shown how to set up a table to collect the results. Key terms such as titre, rough and end-point are explained. The lesson finishes with one further round of the competition called “Take the HOTSEAT” so that the knowledge of the key terminology from today’s lesson can be checked. The lesson has been designed with regular progress checks throughout so that students can check their understanding.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students.