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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.
Properties of crude oil GCSE - oil viscosity independent practical
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Properties of crude oil GCSE - oil viscosity independent practical

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This lesson forms the second lesson in the AQA 2016 specification 4.7 organic chemistry scheme of work and comes after lesson 1 crude oil. The lesson is designed to develop independent practical skills - something that is often developed at Key Stage 3 when there is more curriculum time but is missed out at GCSE in order to cover all of the subject content needed for the exams. The lesson begins with considering the properties that a good fuel should have. It is worth pointing out to students that these are the main properties of hydrocarbons. Alkanes and alkenes are covered later in this scheme of work so reference is not made to them in this lesson. Students then read two sources and choose one of them to write a summary on their method sheet. They then carry out a risk assessment of the method that they have chosen. The practical that they do is using a pipette with a small hole in the side - these need to be prepared in advance by the technicians. Students put the pipette in the oil and then cover the hole as they lift up the pipette. They then open the hole (move the finger of the way) and time how long it takes for the oil to move from 3m to 1ml. The lesson finishes with an exam plenary question (markscheme is provided). It is suggested that water baths are used to heat the jars or beakers of vegetable oil. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
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.
Reactivity millionaire KS3 year 8
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Reactivity millionaire KS3 year 8

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This is a who wants to be a millionaire quiz designed for mixed ability year 8 students. Questions cover displacement reactions, reactivity series, salts, acid rain. Feedback to my TES inbox please. The template is based on a template designed by Terri Street.
Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5
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Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5

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These are a series of dingbats that I have created as engaging starter activities. They work really well as a short punchy starter that students answer on whiteboards before the 4 minute song finishes that students hear as they walk in (e.g. Bon Jovi, Olly Murs). The words are keywords that are referred back to in lesson. There are dingbats for KS3, KS4 and KS5 on these topics: photosynthesis, respiration, compounds, hydrocarbons and carbonyls (A level). Students could post it note their answers with their names and stick them on the whiteboard next to the image. Please leave feedback.
Fermentation GCSE chemistry - covers symbol equations and the two methods of making ethanol
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Fermentation GCSE chemistry - covers symbol equations and the two methods of making ethanol

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This is a thoroughly planned lesson on the production of ethanol by fermentation of glucose and hydration of ethene. It has differentiated resources and a variety of activities and exam question plenaries to check student understanding. There is an optional production of ethanol practical that could be included in this lesson or as a separate lesson. Students start by recalling the formulae for different substances then learn the symbol equations for the two methods of ethanol production. They then carry out a literacy activity where they sort the advantages and disadvantages of each method of ethanol production. The lesson concludes with an exam question plenary. The practical could be included before comparing the advantages and disadvantages of hydration versus fermentation. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
MRI and fMRI - A level chemistry and psychology - stages, comparison of MRI and fMRI, ethical issues
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MRI and fMRI - A level chemistry and psychology - stages, comparison of MRI and fMRI, ethical issues

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This is a set of resources for one or two lessons (depending on the length of the lesson) on MRI and fMRI. This forms part of a scheme of work that includes NMR. The lesson starts with an ethical question of whether criminals are responsible for their actions - whether they are born criminals. The name of the criminal can be changed to suit local news reports or film characters. The lesson then considers the famous story of the railway worker Phineas Gage whose behaviour changed suddenly after an accident that damaged his pre-frontal cortex. Thus this brain region has been discovered to be responsible for higher level thinking and control. The lesson then considers how the brain can be imaged - beginning with anatomy then considering MRI and fMRI. Students then watch a 5 minute YouTube video on MRI and make their own notes. There is then a loop game plenary to check understanding. The second half of the lesson considers fMRI and its application in the law courts. Students consider the case of the murderer Brian Dugan who used fMRI scans as part of his defense to show diminished responsibility - he showed a lack of activity in some brain regions associated with emotion. They produce a presentation and then present this to the class. A markscheme for the presentation is included. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE Chemistry tarsia - use as starter, plenary or revision
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Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE Chemistry tarsia - use as starter, plenary or revision

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This is a fun GCSE Chemistry tarsia for comparing different theories of atomic structure. There are 16 triangles with 18 pairs of questions and answers that make an equilateral triangle shape. 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: names and uses of different fractions, size of alkanes and flammability, alkanes vs alkenes and fractional distillation apparatus. The 'fjsw' file can be opened and modified with tarsia software. The tarsia software is free to download but there is not currently a version for Mac computers.
Biological polymers - GCSE chemistry
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Biological polymers - GCSE chemistry

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This GCSE chemistry lesson has been designed for the 2016 specification for AQA. The lesson begins with a recap of addition and condensation polymers. It then moves on to covering the key biochemical points that students need to know for GCSE chemistry and deliberately leaves out GCSE biology content. The lesson then moves on to students comparing the strength of their own bioplastics from the previous lesson with nylon. If students make the bioplastics in this lesson then allow at least 2 days for the bioplastic to dry before testing it. The lesson concludes with students analysing their data. Please rate this resource leave feedback.
Advanced titrations lesson - AS Chemistry
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Advanced titrations lesson - AS Chemistry

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This is an AS Chemistry lesson on advanced titration calculations for a very able class. Though this has grades C to A the concepts in back titration and the grade A zeolite research task together make this a fast paced lesson designed to challenge very bright students. An easier more differentiated version of this lesson will be uploaded to TES later in the year that will be accessed by weaker students. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Gas laws AS level chemistry
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Gas laws AS level chemistry

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This is a lesson for the new 2015 A level chemistry specification that covers the ideal gas law. There are clear AFL tasks for the middle of the lesson (grade C) and end of the lesson (grade B and grade A). It is suggested that the lesson before this lesson a homework is set to research conversions and the Kelvin temperature scale. Slides 23 and 24 may be printed per student for students to peer assess each others work. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Carbonyl reduction - Senior High School Chemistry
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Carbonyl reduction - Senior High School Chemistry

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These are thoroughly differentiated resources designed for a Senior High School Chemistry lesson on reduction of carbonyl compounds. Objectives are framed as learning questions and graded C to A. There are clear AFL plenaries using mark schemes. There is a graded Who Wants to be a Millionaire quiz for an end plenary. The starter is an engaging scents demo using butanal (pleasant) and butanoic acid (rancid butter). Pace and student effort is the key to delivering an outstanding lesson using these resources. Mark schemes can be printed.
An introduction to electrochemical cells - A level - includes writing half cells
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An introduction to electrochemical cells - A level - includes writing half cells

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This is a lesson for A level chemistry on electrochemical cells. It starts with students constructing a fruit cell and combing four of these cells to make a battery that powers a light bulb . These are made from a whole lemon, piece of clean copper, piece of clean zinc, electrical wires, crocodile clips and light bulb. This could be shown as a demo if there is not much time. Students offer explanations as to how this works. They are introduced to the theory behind how batteries work, what a half cell is and notation for writing half cells and E-cell. The hydrogen / H+ / platinum reference electrode is then introduced as a standard that is used to compare the voltage different half cells. Reinforce the idea that platinum is used because it a very unreactive electrical conductor. Students then use the electrode potentials table (go through this) to write the voltage and reactions for different combinations of half cells. This could be set as homework instead. The lesson finishes with an exam question plenary. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Atomic structure GCSE lesson 1 - Elements, compounds and formulae
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Atomic structure GCSE lesson 1 - Elements, compounds and formulae

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This is is a lesson for GCSE chemistry that matches the AQA new 2016 specification section 4.1 - atomic structure and the periodic table. The lesson begins with a fun film characters starter. There is then a discussion on how elements are made in supernovae. Students then consider rules for naming compounds and how to write formulae. They then then write the formulae for 12 substances. The challenge is to write empirical formulae. The lesson concludes with a consideration of how some of the chemicals are harmful to fish such as Nemo. Titanium dioxide in suntan cream causes water and oxygen in seawater to react to form hydrogen peroxide that is toixc to fish. Answers are included. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Enthalpy changes - A level chemistry - covers bond enthalpy, energy-level diagrams, calculations
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Enthalpy changes - A level chemistry - covers bond enthalpy, energy-level diagrams, calculations

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This is a comprehensive lesson that provides an introduction to enthalpy changes and serves as the first lesson in a scheme of work on energetics at A level. The lesson starts with a recap of GCSE chemistry then moves on to defining enthalpy changes. Students learn the definitions of each type of enthalpy change for homework due in the following lesson. Students then consider energy level diagrams for the grade C task. For the grade B task students predict enthalpy changes using bond dissociation data. There is a worked example of this using the Haber process. The grade A task involves converting enthalpy change values into Joules per gram values that might be used in calorimetry. Scaffolded resources and a markscheme are provided. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Evolution of the atmosphere GCSE - AQA 2016 specification - Outstanding lesson
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Evolution of the atmosphere GCSE - AQA 2016 specification - Outstanding lesson

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This is a thorough set of lesson resources designed to promote engagement, pace and sustained student progress through a 60 minute GCSE lesson on the evolution of the atmosphere. The lesson has been designed for the updated 2016 specification for exam board AQA and topic 4.9 Chemistry of the atmosphere. This is the first of a series of lessons on the atmosphere. Please read the lesson plan and lesson PowerPoint. The hook is students considering what pieces of information are needed to work out if life exists on other planets. Students may then consider the Drake equation (in the PPT) and the key question "what is the link between the evolution of the atmosphere and the evolution of life?". There is an Ammonium Dichromate volcano demo (see RSC link in lesson plan). The main activity is where students create a storyboard using detailed lamented sheets and then peer assess using a marking grid that suits higher and lower ability groups. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Metals alloys lesson GCSE - independent learning through role play, creative task and using data
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Metals alloys lesson GCSE - independent learning through role play, creative task and using data

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This is an independent learning lesson on alloys for GCSE chemistry. It is designed to promote independent learning and higher level thinking through role play, designing an aeroplane and justifying the choice of metals used by using data from a data table. The lesson starts by getting students to think about what three properties metals used to make the worlds fastest jet engined plane (SR-71 Blackbird) would need. Students could be shown a short video from YouTube to prompt their thinking and write their answers on post-it notes. They they then discuss what alloys are and could be asked identify the alloys in the metal trump cards pack (this would need to be printed in advance). They are then introduced to the 4 person role play task where they design an aeroplane. Limit their on this task to around 20 minutes. At the end they could either present their work or answer the 6 mark exam question at the end of the lesson. There is a student-friendly marking grid provided. The lesson menu is available for weaker students. Please look carefully at each of the resources provided before the lesson and decide which ones would best suit your group and length of lesson. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Polar covalent bonding lesson - A level chemistry - covers polarity, covalent vs ionic bonding
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Polar covalent bonding lesson - A level chemistry - covers polarity, covalent vs ionic bonding

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This is a comprehensive set of differentiated lesson resources that cover polar covalent bonding. Within the lesson are Pauling electronegativity values that can be used to determine the extent of covalent bonding between two atoms. The lesson begins with a recap of ionic and covalent bonding definitions from GCSE. There is then a discussion on electronegativity differences between atoms. Students then carry out the kinesthetic task where put different comments about bonding on a scale from pure covalent to pure ionic. This scale can be printed on A3 paper. The comments can be printed on A4 paper. There is then a peer editing question task and plenary exam questions with markschemes. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Atomic theory GCSE - outstanding lesson
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Atomic theory GCSE - outstanding lesson

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This is a comprehensive lesson on atomic theory designed for the AQA GCSE specification. The starter is a recap crossword on atomic structure (assumed knowledge). The lesson then takes a chronological journey from the ancient Greeks to alchemy to the Enlightenment and then the 1800s/ early 1900s where Rutherford et al developed the modern model of the atom. The theory activity works really well with all ability and shows that there is little or no evidence to support the early cubic model but there lots of evidence to support the GCSE Bohr model. The lesson finishes with a 6 mark question that is peer marked using a marking grid. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.