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Outstanding GCSE and A level chemistry resources

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Having taught GCSE and A level chemistry for 6 years and being an examiner I have developed a solid understanding of what makes a lesson outstanding and seek to share this with other teachers.

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Having taught GCSE and A level chemistry for 6 years and being an examiner I have developed a solid understanding of what makes a lesson outstanding and seek to share this with other teachers.
Crystallisation practical lesson plan using salol
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Crystallisation practical lesson plan using salol

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This is a lesson plan that has been designed and taught to year 8 students. It is taught early in the rock cycle scheme of work and uses salol. Glass rods are dipped in the salol and drops are put on warm, room temperature and cooled (in freezer) glass slides. Crystal size is measured and compared. This model is used to make anologies with rock cooling in the real world. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
AS Chemistry - equilibrium
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AS Chemistry - equilibrium

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This is a lesson on equilibrium for AS chemistry. There are lesson grades C to A with clear AFL tasks including a literacy-based Just a Minute plenary. There is an exam focus throughout with the grade A task getting students to apply their understanding to new reactions. The video is the TED Ed Daniel Dulek video on the Haber Process. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Polymerisation GCSE
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Polymerisation GCSE

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This is an action packed lesson on polymerisation. The starter is a dingbat that is shown whilst students listen to music to help them. Part 1 is where students make ethene then link to make polythene using molymods. Part 2 is where students write down the formula of a polymer, write that on post its then stick it posters. Part 3 is where students design a cheese rolling suit using information about polymers. The plenary is a 6 mark question on their design that brings the lesson together. These are activities for a fun and potentially outstanding lesson. Please leave feedback.
Crude oil C1.4 GCSE revision flashcards
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Crude oil C1.4 GCSE revision flashcards

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This is a set of 16 flashcards with questions and answers that are printed double sided. When printed this way the questions and answers align correctly. These have been designed for AQA C1.4 but would suit all exam boards. There are 8 challenging questions that will stretch the most able up to A grade. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Metals trump cards and data sheet - develop higher level thinking at KS3 and GCSE
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Metals trump cards and data sheet - develop higher level thinking at KS3 and GCSE

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This is a set of resources that are used in metals lessons at KS3 and GCSE. The metal trump cards cover 12 metals including 3 alloys. The superplastic alloy has been included to challenge students. Each card lists key information such as elemental symbols, properties and metal uses. They can be used in a variety of lessons such as when students need to design a car for the future (see my other resources). Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Elements and compounds revision crossword
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Elements and compounds revision crossword

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This covers naming of compounds (e.g. iron chloride) and some challenge questions such as where the heavier elements are made (supernova). Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Group 2 metal compound reactions - AS Chemistry
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Group 2 metal compound reactions - AS Chemistry

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This is an AS Chemistry lesson on the group 2 metal compounds and their reactivity and solubility at grades C to A. For grade C students write symbol equations. Note that the hydroxides and sulphates show opposite trends in solubility. For grade B they consider the aluminium sulphate Camelford water poisoning in Cornwall and write ionic equations. Note that all ions are aqueous and that Barium chloride and aluminium sulphate are soluble compounds. For grade A they analyse different data and use this to explain trends in solubility of group 2 compounds. For an engaging starter you could show the reaction of potassium with water and ask students to predict how the reactivity of group 2 metals would be different (less owing to increased charge density and 2 ionisation energies to make the ion). Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
pH acids, bases and ka calculations loop game A2
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pH acids, bases and ka calculations loop game A2

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This is a loop game made of 18 separate questions to help revise and understand acid, base and pH calculations as part of A level chemistry - for example in OCR A Chemistry module F325. This makes for an engaging plenary in lesson. I write the equations up on the left of the white board as they are read out and refer back to them in lesson. If there are any suggestions for improvement or general comments please leave them.
REDOX lesson 2 - Disproportionation reactions - AS Chemistry
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REDOX lesson 2 - Disproportionation reactions - AS Chemistry

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This is a lesson on using oxidation numbers to determine if a reaction is a redox reaction, disproportionation reaction or symproportionation reaction (opposite of disproportionation). Symproportionation is included to develop understanding and is not required by AS Chemistry specifications. The starter is the engaging visual elephant toothpaste demo. Answers on slide 17 are colour coded and animated. I have another lesson on TES where students calculate oxidation numbers. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE - includes distillation, RSC practical, exam questions
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Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE - includes distillation, RSC practical, exam questions

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This is a thoroughly differentiated GCSE chemistry lesson on differentiation that forms part of the AQA 2016 specification 4.7 organic chemistry scheme of work. The internet research homework should be set in advance so that students bring it to the lesson. A website is provided for them on the sheet. The match up starter checks their understanding from the fraction uses homework. This could be printed. For a very able class the fractional distillation mat could be used as the starter. The lesson then goes over what distillation is and then introduces fractional distillation. It is absolutely essential that students understand that distillation separates two substances based on their boiling points and that fractional distillation applies to two or miscible liquids (liquids that do not separate into layers and dissolve instead). They need to know that vaporisation and condensation are the two main steps of distillation. There are plenty of exam questions to demonstrate progress. A RSC practical is included. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Alternatives to fossil fuels GCSE - includes combustion, balancing equations, 6 mark exam question
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Alternatives to fossil fuels GCSE - includes combustion, balancing equations, 6 mark exam question

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This is a thoroughly differentiated chemistry lesson that has been designed for the new 2016 specification for AQA. This specification does not require students to know biodiesel but does require students to know hydrogen and combustion. The lesson starts with a hydrogen balloon demo. Please take when doing this. Students can ignite the balloon if they use a lit split on the end of a metre ruler and stand back. They put the lit splint underneath the balloon which explodes. There is an alternative settler wordsearch for hyperactive classes that need to calm down at the start of the lesson. Students then write a disadvantage and advantage of using hydrogen as an alternative to petrol on post it notes and stick these on the whiteboard (one student per bench can do this - collecting the others from their bench). Students then write down the advantages and disadvantages of different fuels and write an answer to a 6 mark exam question where they compare the fuels and justify which one is best. They peer mark their answers using a student friendly marking grid. Finally students balance combustion symbol equations. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Fossil fuels lessons GCSE - outstanding lessons that provide support and challenge, recap prior learning, demonstrate progress
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Fossil fuels lessons GCSE - outstanding lessons that provide support and challenge, recap prior learning, demonstrate progress

13 Resources
This is a set of 10 lessons including a revision lesson on fossil fuels. Included are lessons on combustion, formation of crude oil, fractional distillation, fermentation, alkanes, alkenes, calorimetry, bond enthalpy (advanced lesson for more able students) and alternatives to crude oil. Please take the opportunity to look at each of these lessons to find out more information and comment on them.
Iodoform reaction - A level chemistry - includes RSC practical
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Iodoform reaction - A level chemistry - includes RSC practical

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This is a thoroughly planned lesson on the iodoform reaction that may should take a total of approximately 2 hours (2 lessons). This forms part of a scheme of work on carbonyl compounds. The RSC practical that is included works well. Please carefully read through the safety advice provided by the RSC and take care when disposing of the products. The starter recaps previous learning where students match up different carbonyl compound tests with their observations and the species being tested for. The lesson then moves into a discussion of what the iodoform reaction tests for and students identify compounds that would test positively. Whiteboards could be used for assessment for learning. The students might then carry out the RSC practical in pairs. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Rate of reaction GCSE tarsia
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Rate of reaction GCSE tarsia

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This is a GCSE chemistry tarsia for revision of rates of reaction. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: symbol equations, factors affecting rate and rate graphs. The 'fjsw' file can be opened and modified with tarsia software.
History of the periodic table GCSE tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision
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History of the periodic table GCSE tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision

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This is a GCSE chemistry tarsia for revision of history of the periodic table. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: nationality of Dobereiner, Newlands and Mendeleev, law of triads, law of octaves, atomic number, gallium, number of natural elements and number of elements known to Mendeleev, grouping of the elements. The 'fjsw' file can be opened and modified with tarsia software that is free to download. Please note that the software does not work on Mac computers.
Acids and alkalis KS3 tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision
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Acids and alkalis KS3 tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision

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This is a fun KS3 chemistry tarsia for acids and alkalis. There are 16 triangles with 18 pairs of questions and answers that make a parallelogram. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: indicator, pH meter, pH of different substances, formula of HCl and water. The software is free to download but there is not currently a version for Mac computers.
Combustion GCSE tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision
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Combustion GCSE tarsia - use as lesson starter, plenary or revision

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This is a fun GCSE chemistry tarsia for revision of combustion. There are 16 triangles with 18 pairs of questions and answers that make a parallelogram. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: formulae, complete combustion, incomplete combustion, carbon neutral, products of combustion. The software is free to download but there is not currently a version for Mac computers.
Mole calculations personal learning checklist
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Mole calculations personal learning checklist

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This is a personal learning checklist created for AS chemistry to check understanding of mole calculations. A comprehensive list of AS mole calculations is provided. Students identify what they can do after a lesson or homework as they progress through a topic. At the end both the student and teacher sign to say that the student can complete do these tasks. This is excellent for making sure students thoroughly understand a topic. Please rate and leave feedback.