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Outstanding GCSE and A level chemistry resources

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(based on 460 reviews)

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.
Paper chromatography GCSE
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Paper chromatography GCSE

(16)
This is an engaging yet challenging lesson on paper chromatography for GCSE students that has Blooms-based A to C learning objectives that are clearly assessed for using Assessment for learning with mini whiteboards and peer feedback. The hook for the lesson is the forged Hitler's diaries. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Redox lesson plan and activities A2 OCR A Chem
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Redox lesson plan and activities A2 OCR A Chem

(13)
This is a lesson on redox for OCR A chemistry F325 module 2. The main skill developed is writing and balancing half equations. The lesson that follows is on cells and uses half equations. Slide 9 is a tarsia that is printed and cut out. The youtube clip is a 3 minute periodic table timer for the starter activity. The practical is OCR A practical 23 on redox reactions. Plenarising is thorugh mini whiteboards for equations and scores on tarsia and plenary exam q. This observed lesson was a 2 but has potential to be a 1 if there is sufficient student engagement. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5
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Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5

(11)
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.
Debating strategies for the classroom
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Debating strategies for the classroom

(11)
Debating and critical thinking skills are an absolutely essential component of scientific thinking. I have provided a range of resources to promote debating skills: a lesson plan where students consider the disadvantages of cars and create their own solutions, debating strategies ideas and student instructions that can easily be adopted into a wide variety of lessons across different subjects. Feedback to my TES inbox please. Thank you.
Dative covalent bonding lesson AS Chemistry KS5
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Dative covalent bonding lesson AS Chemistry KS5

(6)
This is a lesson on dative covalent bonding. Included is a lesson plan with answers, a student handout and practice exam questions for homework or for revision. For the handout print slides 2 to 13 as 6 slides per page. Print slides 14 and 15 as 2 slides per page. Print slide 17 as one slide. Print slides 18 to 21 two slides per page. The main task is designed to allow students to reach up to grade A and involves teamwork and peer assessment. I suggest students carry out the main task on A3 paper in pairs. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Constructing Born Haber cycles - AS Chemistry
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Constructing Born Haber cycles - AS Chemistry

(6)
This is an AS Chemistry lesson on constructing Born Haber cycles in order to calculate lattice enthalpy for ionic compounds. Students do not calculate lattice enthalpies in this lesson but rather consider using a diamond nine how various factors affect how exothermic the lattice enthalpy value is. I suggest printing the diamond nine on slide 23 and using it as a kinesthetic activity. Please rate this resource and leave feedback
Combined NMR IR Mass spec analysis A2 chemistry
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Combined NMR IR Mass spec analysis A2 chemistry

(7)
This is a lesson plan and activities for using combined analytical techniques - NMR (proton and carbon), mass spec and infra red spec. Differentiated LO are provided and 3 unknown compounds are analysed (salicyclic acid, ethyl butanoate and aspirin). There is a group task that makes this a student led independent learning lesson where what matters is the justified analysis using annotated evidence rather than the correct answer. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
REDOX lesson 1 - Determination of oxidation number - AS Chemistry
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REDOX lesson 1 - Determination of oxidation number - AS Chemistry

(7)
This is an AS Chemistry lesson on determining the oxidation number of an element in a compound. The starter is a very engaging potassium dichromate volcano where students describe what is happening (e.g. thermal decomposition). The demo must be done in a fume hood and CLEAPPS safety advice should be considered. Instructions for this practical are on the Royal Society for Chemistry website. The sts version of the lesson is printed 2 slides per page. The lesson has animated answers that show a careful step by step calculations so that weaker students are able to access the content. 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

(7)
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.
Fullerenes and buckyballs GCSE graded ICT task
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Fullerenes and buckyballs GCSE graded ICT task

(4)
This is a graded task sheet designed for independent working. There is differentiation by keyword, website and task. All students make an advert explaining how the materials work and bright and capable students can design their own materials. The grade A website is very detailed and provides stretch and challenge up to A* so students need to be selective in what they read. I have included a document that provides detail about the reading complexity and reading age of the websites. Please leave a comment if you find this useful or if you think that it can be improved.
REDOX titrations - AS Chemistry
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REDOX titrations - AS Chemistry

(3)
This is an AS Chemistry lesson on REDOX titrations with grades C to A. For the grade C task students consider the stages of a titration. This could be a kinaesthetic activity if slides 8 and 9 are printed and cut. Note that there is some flexibility over the ordering of the stages. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Designing cars for the future level assessed task
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Designing cars for the future level assessed task

(3)
This is a how science works level assessed task aimed at levels KS3 levels 3 to 7. This assesses the learning of global warming and renewable resources by getting students to design a car for the future that reduces carbon dioxide emissions. I use this as part of a year 8 scheme of work. The word document can be used to edit the LAT and then save it as a JPEG file that is pasted into PowerPoint. The PowerPoint is the A4 document that is printed for students. The video shows a very cool solar road car driving at 10% max speed for testing. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
Chemistry KS3 and GCSE graded keywords for display
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Chemistry KS3 and GCSE graded keywords for display

(2)
These are a comprehensive selection of chemistry keywords that students use at KS3 and GCSE. I have taken a lot of time to create this resource so that each keyword is carefully linked to Blooms taxonomy, cognitive demand and grades. This is explained in detail in the comments document. These keywords as a display will not only improve literacy in science but also make students aware of the words that they should be using at a particular target grade. Please rate this resource and leave a comment.
Exothermic endothermic enthalpy reactions KS4 KS5
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Exothermic endothermic enthalpy reactions KS4 KS5

(3)
This is a lesson that works with a very able top set double science GCSE, triple science GCSE or AS chemistry. The levels are based on AS so these may need to be increased if this lesson is to be used at GCSE. The SAS video is played from 2 minutes 30 to around 5 minutes for the starter activity. The Top Gun theme tune could be used as an activity timer. Exam questions are from Edexcel AS chemistry unit 1 but work equally well for GCSE. The Mr T photo indicates 'challenge&' questions that require resilience (independent learning). Please rate and leave feedback.
NMR for A level Chemistry
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NMR for A level Chemistry

(6)
This is a thoroughly scaffolded series of lessons on carbon-13 and proton NMR for A level chemistry. The student version does not contain the answers. Please leave a review.
Polymerisation GCSE
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Polymerisation GCSE

(3)
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.
2 views on the end of oil - speech and mag article
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2 views on the end of oil - speech and mag article

(4)
US Admiral Rickover's 1957 the end of oil speech and 2004 National Geographic article 'the end of cheap oil. Both have been edited to one page length. Questions are provided. Suitable for high ability KS3 and mid to high ability KS4. Feedback: rowan.savage@hotmail.com
Acids and bases graded equations worksheets GCSE
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Acids and bases graded equations worksheets GCSE

(2)
This is a series of graded C to A* word and symbol equations with answers. Balanced symbol equations are included as are lesson objectives and 3 different starters. Please have a look at the slides and print off those that are the most appropriate as single slide handouts. I will update this later in the year with example exam questions and explicit AFL activities so that this becomes a ready to use resource that could be used as part of an outstanding lesson. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.