A bonafide Science Teacher (of 13 years), and Head of Year, from Gloucestershire offering tried and tested resources to save you the time and energy when planning. There's no point reinventing the wheel!
Watch out for new resources to help you meet the demands of teaching the Science GCSE and Chemistry A-Level.
A bonafide Science Teacher (of 13 years), and Head of Year, from Gloucestershire offering tried and tested resources to save you the time and energy when planning. There's no point reinventing the wheel!
Watch out for new resources to help you meet the demands of teaching the Science GCSE and Chemistry A-Level.
My revision methods are quite simple in my lessons - SPEC IT, REVISE IT, TEST IT. If students know EXACTLY WHAT they need to revise (using the specification checklist) it makes for smarter revision. If they can TEST THEMSELVES to measure their understanding - even better!
This resource is a comprehensive but concise knowledge organiser covering Periodic Table and Mendeleev (including Electronic Configuration). This knowledge organiser has been made against the Edexcel specification but would easily be applicable to others. Each revision point has been marked with the specification section (in green) to help students translate the specification points. The Knowledge Organiser is applicable to students sitting standard or higher tier papers (studying Separate or Combined Science routes). Each revision point has been written as a typical ‘stock exam answer’.
A 53 (!) slide powerpoint delivered as a Big Quiz covering TOPIC 2 content of the Edexcel Specification (though this can easily be used against other specifications). Topic 2 is split into sub-topics and so there are 2 rounds in total.
Round 1 - States of Matter
Round 2 - Separation of mixtures techniques
Each question has been written using the specification and answers generated against mark schemes from exam style questions.
Following each round of questions come a round of answers so students can peer mark or you can. Though one massive quiz, this resource could easily be used as a whole lesson, starters, to formatively assess after revision sessions - whatever you like!
I’m using them in my revision sessions and Chemistry booster sessions!
Keep your eyes peeled for TOPIC 3 next…
Who? For all you people teaching the GCSE Chemistry or Combined Science - in particular any topics on atomic structure and electronic configuration.
What? This is a classic loop game which can be used at any point in a lesson. A starter/ diagnostic/ mini-plenary, revision etc
How? This can be printed off twice and the class split into two. Each student has a ‘row’ with an answer/end of sentence and a question/start of new sentence. Compete to see which group can complete their loop first!
Enjoy!
This circus of activities would easily be your main task within a lesson. The focus is on dissolving/soluble vs insoluble/ separating mixtures and solutions. I have produced a tech list (attached) so this should be as straightforward as possible! Very simple practical kit which should not cause any issues.
Students could be put into groups/pairs and complete this circus with little input from you. The main worksheet/booklet has simple but clear instructions of what to do at each station. The only thing you will have to organise is how to lay out your room!
Aimed at KS3 but could easily be used with low ability KS4.
This resource is a must have for Electrolysis revision, classwork or homework.
This resource is made up of two worksheets plus answers for both. Students must predict the ions which will be present during an electrolysis of various electrolytes and then decide which ions will be attracted to either electrode. It is supported by a great knowledge organiser which guides students through HOW to predict what will be formed.
Knowledge Organiser (written against the Edexcel Specification but easily applicable to others)r.
I’ve even included worked answers for the worksheets to save you the bother!
(Students may need access to a periodic table and/or a reactivity series which includes hydrogen).
Who? For you lucky people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straightforward and simple lesson on atomic number, mass number plus how to use them to calculate numbers of the sub-atomic particles in an atom. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Spec.
What? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter/ diagnostic to see what your group know about the atom already. Learning objectives, worked examples with answers, class tasks with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint). This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility to offer group work or peer teaching style tasks if you wish. Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides can be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed.
This is a very simple KS3 Chemistry lesson to introduce the concept of reactivity and the reactivity series of metals.
Resource includes a very self explanatory powerpoint (including a technician list for ordering practical equipment), an introduction to the reactivity series plus a straight forward practical for students to deduce the order of reactivity of 4 metals to help fill in the gaps of the reactivity series they have been given. I have produced a practical hand out with a simple equipment list and method plus a pre-drawn table to help students get started straight away or feel free to get them designing their own if you wish. Finally students will need to write brief conclusions regarding their results and then move on to some higher order prediction making for other metals based on their results.
Download it, open it and it’s ready to go! (The only prep you’ll need to do is ordering your practical kit!)
A full lesson via a powerpoint presentation on the structure of the Earth.
This resource is ready to open up and teach or could easily be edited should you wish. Resources needed may simply require you to print off a couple of slides (of your choice) as work sheets although there is no need. There is also a scale drawing task which could be completed on graph paper of simply printed off directly from the powerpoint.
This lesson also includes… starter task/diagnostic, opportunity for class discussion/questioning or paired/group work/ a match them up task so all students will have key information about the structure of the Earth, and extended creative writing task and a plenary quiz. There are also clear lesson objectives (linking to the SOLO taxonomy if you are familiar with it (although this can easily be deleted if not - my current school is using it as a learning framework).
Who? For people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straight forward and simple lesson on defining moles, calculating masses using number of moles and calculating number of moles using masses. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Specification but could easily be applied to AQA, OCR etc.
What will you get? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter task to get students thinking about relative mass (assuming calculation of relative mass has already been taught - if not, check out my shop and find a full lesson there!), Learning objectives, class tasks with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint) and a plenary quiz to really make sure they have met the learning objectives. This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility in terms of delivery.
Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides which can be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed. LOTS of questions included for LOTS of practice.
Who? For those teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straightforward and simple lesson on calculating relative formula mass and discovering how to deduce empirical formula using the molecular formula of a compound.
What? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter mass quiz, Learning objectives, worked examples with answers, class tasks with answers (differentiated up to challenge your more able), exam questions with markschemes to share with your group. This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility to offer group work or peer teaching style tasks if you wish.
A 141 (!!!) slide powerpoint delivered as a Big Quiz covering TOPIC 1 content of the Edexcel Specification (though this can easily be used against other specifications). Topic 1 is split into sub-topics and so there are 6 rounds in total.
Round 1 - Atomic Structure
Round 2 - Periodic Table
Round 3 - Ionic Bonding
Round 4 - Covalent Bonding
Round 5 - Types of Substance
Round 6 - Calculations involving mass
Each question has been written using the specification and answers generated against mark schemes from exams.
Following each round of questions come a round of answers so students can peer mark or you can. Though one massive quiz, this resource could easily be used as a whole lesson, starters, to formatively assess after revision sessions - whatever you like!
Keep your eyes peeled for TOPIC 2 onwards…
Two GIANT GCSE Chemistry (9-1) quizzes covering TOPIC 1 and 2 of the Edexcel Specification (although topics will definitely be in other specifications AQA, OCR etc). PLUS a great, visual knowledge organiser for TOPIC 1 to accompany quiz.
First powerpoint…
A 141 (!!!) slide powerpoint delivered as a Big Quiz covering TOPIC 1 content of the Edexcel Specification (though this can easily be used against other specifications). Topic 1 is split into sub-topics and so there are 6 rounds in total.
Round 1 - Atomic Structure
Round 2 - Periodic Table
Round 3 - Ionic Bonding
Round 4 - Covalent Bonding
Round 5 - Types of Substance
Round 6 - Calculations involving mass
Second powerpoint…
A 53 (!) slide powerpoint delivered as a Big Quiz covering TOPIC 2 content of the Edexcel Specification (though this can easily be used against other specifications). Topic 2 is split into sub-topics and so there are 2 rounds in total.
Round 1 - States of Matter
Round 2 - Separation of mixtures techniques
Each question has been written using the specification and answers generated against mark schemes from exam style questions.
Following each round of questions come a round of answers so students can peer mark or you can. Though one massive quiz, this resource could easily be used as a whole lesson, starters, to formatively assess after revision sessions - whatever you like!
I’m using them in my revision sessions and Chemistry booster sessions!
Who? For you lucky people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straight forward and simple lesson on Mendeleev and the development of the Periodic Table. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Specification but could easily be applied to AQA, OCR etc.
What will you get? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter puzzle to get students thinking about ‘sorting’, Learning objectives, worked examples with answers, class tasks with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint) and an exam style question to really make sure they have met the learning objectivve. This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility to offer group work or peer teaching style tasks if you wish.
This lesson would also have room for the ‘Alkali Metals’ demonstration to be carried out but if this is not an option then I have embedded videos instead to offer a last minute alternative.
Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides and can be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed.
This resource is a must have for Quantitative Calculations revision, classwork or homework.
Resource includes a Knowledge Organiser (written against the Edexcel Specification but easily applicable to others) PLUS a worksheet of calculations to test against the content in the knowledge organiser. I’ve even included worked answers to save you the bother!
Calculations include…
concentrations in mol/dm3
percentage yield
atom economy
Gas volumes
Gas volumes from masses
Titration Calculations
Lots for students to do, nothing for you to do apart from print it off!
Who? For people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straight forward and simple lesson on Electronic Configuration of atoms and how this links to the Periodic Table. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Specification but could easily be applied to AQA, OCR etc.
What will you get? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter task to get students thinking about what the periodic table tells us already, Learning objectives, worked examples with answers, class tasks with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint) a worksheet (attached) and an exam style question to really make sure they have met the learning objectives. This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility in terms of delivery.
Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides which can be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed.
The attached extra worksheet is already in my shop as a separate resource so in effect is a free resource to accompany the lesson.
Who? For you lucky people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straightforward and simple lesson on structure of the atom and how ideas on this have changed over time. Good bit of higher order thinking involved at points too with some nice evaluation of atomic models. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Spec.
What? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter/ diagnostic to see what your group know about the atom already. Learning objectives, worked examples with answers, class tasks with answers (differentiated up to challenge your more able), exam style challenge with with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint. This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility to offer group work or peer teaching style tasks if you wish. Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides can be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed.
Enjoy!
Who? For you lucky people teaching the new Chemistry/ Combined Science GCSE (2016). Also for those of you requiring a straightforward lesson on ISOTOPES plus how to use them to calculate RELATIVE MASS of an element. This lesson has been made with reference to the new Edexcel Spec but would easily be relevant in AQA and OCR.
What? This is a whole lesson on one powerpoint. A starter/ diagnostic to see what your group know about the atom already and how to calculate numbers and types of sub-atomic particle. Learning objectives have been written with direct reference to the specification (because that’s what they need to know!), worked examples with answers written either in the ‘notes section’ of the powerpoint or on the slides themselves, class tasks with answers (all written in the ‘notes’ section of the powerpoint or on slides themselves). This lesson is ready to go but still offers you flexibility to offer group work or peer teaching style tasks if you wish. Everything you need is here as powerpoint slides which can easily be printed as ‘worksheets’ if needed. Print the powerpoint including the notes and you’ll be ready to go!
An excellent activity to allow your A-Level Chemists to apply their knowledge of Mass Spectrometry and Infrared Spectroscopy to identify some Organic unknowns. This activity will need to be taught after students have had an introduction to the main homologous series’ in their first year of A-Level Chemistry.
The task involves students studying mass and infrared spectra to identify the unknown chemicals. Some qualitative clues have also been given to encourage students to realise that analysis often involves multiple sets of data.
All answers are included. I gave this as a paired task but would work well in groups, individually, as a homework or an assessment.
This super resource uses modelling of how to calculate Kc and deduce units for Kc. The whole lesson is based around typical exam questions which will be worth approximately 5 marks. This video has links directly to my YouTube channel to allow you to play students a model Kc calculation with a clear step-by-step method. Using the video models will free you up as teacher to talk through each step and allow time for questioning without having to worry about working through the examples - they are already done for you!
The final model is a an exam question from a previous past paper. The markscheme has been included in the presentation to allow you to share this with your students.
Kc calculations are tricky to teach but this really takes out the hard work! The whole lesson is within the powerpoint and teaching suggestions are written into the notes section of each slide.
Who? For anyone trying to plan something creative to allow various science skills to be developed. This project/lesson has so much scope. At a push this could be done in a lesson and then perhaps for homework but it would work a lot better if a couple of hours of time was given to make a good job of it!
The project would sit nicely anywhere within the year or would make a great end of term activity as it is a completely ‘stand alone’ topic. Perhaps you could use this in a STEM week or during Science week?
This bundle of resources contains a powerpoint to guide through the project as well as teacher/technician notes, a detailed lesson plan, plus some suspect profiles to work out ‘whodunnit’. I have included a student sheet to allow them to gather and record data and draw conclusions. Students will need to drop ‘blood’ onto the floor/ a surface and gather a set of control diameters of blood splats which are created upon the blood hitting the floor. Students will have to consider how to control various elements of the project/investigation and how to improve accuracy, repeatability, precision etc. They will then need to plot a graph of their results before drawing a final conclusion.
I love using this resource! It is fully editable but gives you a resource you can use straight away (you’ll just need to talk to your technicians about making some fake blood…).
Enjoy!
