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.
An informative lesson presentation (44 slides) that looks at the work of the key Scientists involved in the development of the atomic model. Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford and Bohr were four men whose work has led to the changes in the atomic model over the years and this lesson looks at parts of each of their work. There is a focus on Rutherford’s work with the alpha particles and students are challenged to draw conclusions based on the deflections they are shown. There is lots of time written into the lesson for consolidation and regular progress checks ensure that students have the opportunity to assess their understanding. This lesson has been written for GCSE students but could be used with KS3 students who perhaps are carrying out a project on the atom and want to add detail to their work
This is 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 sub-topics found within Topic C5 (Separate chemistry 1) of the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Recall the typical properties of the transition metals
Explain why converting pure metals into alloys often increases the strength of the product
Calculate the concentration of solutions in mol per decimetre cubed
Know the apparatus involved in an acid-alkali titration
Carry out simple titration calculations
Recall and calculate the atom economy
Describe the molar volume, at RTP, and use to calculate the volumes of gases
Recall how a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is used to produce a voltage and water is the only product
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of fuel cells
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
A fully-resourced lesson which looks at the gaseous reversible reaction known as the Haber Process and then explores and explains why the specific conditions are chosen for this reaction. The lesson includes a detailed lesson presentation (29 slides) and associated worksheets which are differentiated.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to use a description of the reaction to complete the balanced symbol equation. A quiz competition involving both Chemistry and Maths skills is used to reveal the temperature and pressure which are chosen for this reaction. Students will learn that this only produces a yield of 30% and therefore are encouraged to question why these conditions are chosen. In doing so, they are made to wear two “hats”, so that they consider it from both a Science angle but also a business angle. Their knowledge of reversible reactions and the effect of changing either the temperature or the pressure on the position of the equilibrium are constantly challenged and then checked through a range of progress check questions. As a result of this lesson, students will understand that these conditions are a compromise and be able to explain why.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK).
An engaging lesson presentation (79 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C6 (Global Challenges) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Chemistry specification.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Making ethanol
Extracting metals
Extracting iron
Extracting aluminium
Alloys
Alkanes
Alkenes
Alcohols
Carboxylic acids
Polymers
Water for drinking
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “It’s time for ACTION” and “Are YOU on FORM” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of the content in topics C1 - C4, that will assessed on PAPER 3. 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 fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many sub-topics as possible, but the following have been given particular attention:
The relative mass and charge of protons, electrons and neutrons
Using the Periodic table to calculate numbers of the sub-atomic particles
Writing elements and compounds in chemical symbol equations
Simple and giant covalent structures
Explaining the difference in conductivity of graphite and diamond
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for ionic compounds
The transfer of electrons during the formation of an ionic bond
Writing chemical formulae for ionic compounds
Conservation of mass and balancing symbol equations
Calculating the relative formula mass
Electrolysis of molten salts and aqueous solutions
Extraction of metals
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 drawing dot and cross diagrams, diamond and graphite and writing chemical formulae.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3/4 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 3 exam.
An engaging lesson presentation (82 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C4 (Predicting and identifying reactions and products) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Chemistry specification.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Group 1 - the alkali metals
Group 7 - the halogens
Halogen displacement reactions
Group 0 - the noble gases
The transition metals
Reactivity of elements
Detecting gases
Detecting cations
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “Crack the CODE” and “Blockbusters” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C1 - C5, that will assessed on PAPER 3. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA 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 fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many sub-topics as possible, but the following have been given particular attention:
The relative mass and charge of protons, electrons and neutrons
Using the Periodic table to calculate numbers of the sub-atomic particles
Writing elements and compounds in chemical symbol equations
Covalent structures
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for covalent and ionic compounds
The transfer of electrons during the formation of an ionic bond
Properties of metals and non-metals
States of matter
Conservation of mass and balancing symbol equations
Calculating the relative formula mass
Electrolysis of molten salts and aqueous solutions
Extraction of metals
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 drawing dot and cross diagrams and writing chemical formulae.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3/4 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 3 exam.
A fully resourced lesson presentation (60 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C2 (Elements, compounds and mixtures) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification.
Relative formula mass
Empirical formula
Pure and impure substances
Filtration and crystallisation
Distillation
Chromatography
Electronic structure
Forming ions
Simple molecules
Giant covalent structures
Carbon
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “Take the HOTSEAT” and “SEPARATE the fact from the fiction” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This REVISION resource has been designed to motivate and engage students whilst they are challenged on their knowledge of the content in topics C6-C10 of the AQA Trilogy GCSE Combined Science specification which can be assessed on PAPER 4. This is fully-resourced and contains a detailed PowerPoint (118 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated.
The resource was written with the aim of covering as many C6-C10 sub-topics as possible, but the following ones have received particular focus:
Pure substances in Science
Chromatography
Detecting gases
Reversible reactions
Changing conditions and the position of the equilibrium
Factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction
The structure of the alkanes
Complete combustion of the alkanes
Cracking and the alkenes
Fractional distillation of crude oil
This resource can be used in combination with the PAPER 3 revision resource which covers the content in Chemistry topics C1 - C5 as well as the other AQA GCSE Combined Science REVISION lessons which I’ve uploaded
An engaging lesson presentation (49 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C5 (Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Concentration of solution
Rate of reaction
Factors affecting the rate of reaction
Reversible reactions
Equilibrium position
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “Under PRESSURE” and “Number CRAZY” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This is 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 sub-topics found within Topic C3 (Chemical change) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Acids, pH and the concentration of hydrogen ions
The general reactions of the acids to produce salts
Electrolysis of molten salts
Electrolysis of aqueous solutions
Writing half equations for the reactions at the electrodes
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual assessment
This is 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 sub-topics found within Topic C7 (Rates of reaction and energy changes) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Explain the effects on rates of reaction of changes in temperature, concentration and pressure
Be able to define a catalyst and explain how this reduces the activation energy
Describe an endothermic and exothermic reactions
Calculate the energy change in a reaction
Draw reaction profiles for endothermic and exothermic reactions, identifying activation energy
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
This fully-resourced lesson with differentiated resources has been written to prepare students for the range of mathematical-based questions they may face on the two Edexcel GCSE Chemistry papers. The lesson has been designed to contain a wide range of activities which includes 8 quiz competition rounds spread across the duration of the lesson to maintain engagement whilst the students assess their understanding.
The mathematical skills covered in this lesson include:
Calculating the number of sub-atomic particles in atoms and ions
Writing chemical formulae for ionic compounds
Identifying isotopes
Calculating the relative atomic mass using isotope mass and abundance
Using Avogadro’s constant to calculate the number of particles
Calculating the relative formula mass
Calculating amount in moles using the mass and the relative formula mass
Balancing chemical symbol equations
Calculating reacting masses
Gas calculations using molar volume
Calculating concentration of solutions
Titration calculations
Deducing the empirical formula
Calculating energy changes in reactions
Most of the resources have been differentiated two ways to allow students of differing abilities to access the work whilst still being challenged. In addition, step by step guides are used to demonstrate how to carry out some of the more difficult calculations such as the harder mole calculations and calculating masses in reactions
This lesson could be used with higher ability students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course by taking out the sections which are not applicable.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C6 - C10, that will assessed on PAPER 4. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA 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 fundamentals 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 first four members of the alkanes
Fractional distillation of crude oil
The properties of the different fractions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
Detecting carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine gas
Changes in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Deforestation
Polluting gases
The formation of acid rain
The treatment of water
The collision theory
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.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2/3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 4 exam.
This REVISION resource has been written with the aim of motivating the students whilst they are challenged on their knowledge of the content in Chemistry TOPIC 2 (States of matter and mixtures) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification. The resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (65 slides) and accompanying worksheets, most of which are differentiated to allow a range of abilities to access the work.
The wide range of activities, which include exam questions and quiz competitions, have been designed to cover as much of topic 2 as possible but the following sub-topics have been given a particular focus:
Pure substances in Science
Using melting and boiling points to distinguish between pure and impure
Separating mixtures using simple and fractional distillation
Determining a state of matter using data
Physical changes
Crystallisation
The mobile and stationary phases of paper chromatography
Calculating the retention factor
The treatment of water to make potable water
This resource is suitable for use at the end of topic 2, in the lead up to mocks or in the preparation for the final GCSE exams.
This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (56 slides) and associated worksheets, one of which has been differentiated two ways to allow students of differing abilities to access the work. The range of activities cover the content of Topic C4 (Stoichiometry) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification, for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The aim was to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Naming compounds containing 2 or 3+ elements
Constructing word equations for general chemical reactions
Monatomic or diatomic molecules
Writing formulae for ionic compounds using the charges on the ions
Balancing symbol equations
Writing fully balanced chemical symbol equations with state symbols
Students are given hints and guidance throughout the lesson so they can build confidence in the lead up to an end of topic test, mocks or the terminal exams.
This is an engaging lesson that looks at a range of condensation polymers that are formed by condensation reactions. The lesson includes a detailed lesson presentation (51 slides) and accompanying worksheets which contain a differentiated task.
The lesson begins by providing the students with a definition of a condensation reaction and challenging them to predict the identity of the smaller molecule. Moving forwards, students will learn that as well as water being a product, the larger molecule is known as a condensation polymer. Time is taken to look at a range of condensation polymers throughout the course of the lesson, and this includes both natural and artificial examples. Students are shown how to draw block diagrams to visualise how the functional groups react and then once water is removed, they are able to see the group that remains and joins the parts together. Students are shown how to name the ester formed according to the carboxylic acid and alcohol involved.
The final part of the lesson involves a summary quiz called “It’s time to take the POLYGRAPH” where they have to read a number of passages about condensation polymers and decide which ones are telling lies and which are the truth.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students
A resourced lesson which looks at a number of examples of biological polymers. The lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (40 slides) and a couple of worksheets to be used in the understanding check task.
The starter activity challenges the students to use their Chemistry knowledge to come up with the abbreviation DNA. They will learn the key details of this polynucleotide and then time and focus is given to the nitrogenous bases and how they bond between the two strands. Moving forwards, students will be shown the next biological polymer that is a polypeptide. They are briefly shown how to draw a block diagram to represent the chain of amino acids. The final polymer are carbohydrates and students will learn how glycogen, starch and cellulose are formed from glucose monomers. Regular progress checks are written into the lesson at regular intervals to allow the students to check their understanding and ask questions.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students
An informative lesson presentation (30 slides) that ensures that students know the meaning of the independent, dependent and control variables in an investigation and are able to identify them. Students are challenged to use their definitions to spot the independent and dependent variable from an investigation title. Moving forwards, they are shown how they can use tables and graphs to identify them. The rest of the lesson focuses on the control variables and how these have to be controlled to produce valid results
This lesson is suitable for students of all ages studying Science as it is such a key skill
An engaging lesson presentation (48 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C1 (Particles) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Introducing particles
Chemical and physical changes
Atomic structure
Isotopes
Developing the atomic model
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “SPOT the SCIENTIST” and “Order, Order” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention