I am a TES recommended author and a UK Science teacher with a Chemistry specialism.
You'll find various KS3 and KS4 Science resources here (Biology, Physics and Chemistry) as well as some A level Chemistry stuff. I try to make my lessons visually appealing, with clear diagrams and text and a variety of different tasks.
If you have any suggestions of resources you'd like to see uploaded, I'd be happy to hear from you.
I am a TES recommended author and a UK Science teacher with a Chemistry specialism.
You'll find various KS3 and KS4 Science resources here (Biology, Physics and Chemistry) as well as some A level Chemistry stuff. I try to make my lessons visually appealing, with clear diagrams and text and a variety of different tasks.
If you have any suggestions of resources you'd like to see uploaded, I'd be happy to hear from you.
Shapes of ions and molecules lesson for year 12 or year 13 (AS level or A level).
LOs:
To state the basic features of a molecule that determine its shape.
To describe different molecular structures.
To predict the shapes of simple molecules and ions with up to six electron pairs surrounding the central atom.
1. Do Now: Draw the Lewis structures for water, methane and ammonia. How many pairs of electrons surround the central atom in each case?
2. Exposition: VSEPR theory and structures with 4 areas of electron density
3. Mini-pleanry: Determine the shape of molecules that have 4 areas of electron density
4. Exposition: Shapes from 2 or 3 areas of electron density
5. Mini-plenary: Determine the shape of molecules that have 2, 3 or 4 areas of electron density
6. Exposition: Shapes with 5 or 6 areas of electron density
7. Exposition: How lone pairs affect bond angles
8. Independent Task: Practise determining shapes and bond angles of various different ions and molecules
7. Independent Task: Exam style questions on bond angles and molecular shape
8. Plenary: Wrapping it up
Year 8 lesson/ revision lesson on metals vs. non-metals, metal properties, corrosion.
PowerPoint and worksheets (see back of PowerPoint).
LOs:
To separate metals from non-metals
To describe the properties of metals
To explain what corrosion is
1. Do Now: Circle the pure metals
2. Student Activity: Metal or non-metal (Stretch: How do you know?)
3. Student Activity: Think, pair, share - What are the properties of metals?
4. Mini-plenary: Worksheet on metals and non-metals
5. Exposition: Rusting (requires iron, oxygen and water - must have all 3 to rust)
6. Student Activity: Think, pair, share - Why are religious objects made from gold?
7. Independent Task: Exam style question on metals and their properties
8. Plenary: Learning triangle
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
KS3 Assessment on Particles.
This test is designed to be a formative assessment, with students able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the particle theory of matter both in short answer and extended open answer questions. The test does not include a mark scheme, but the teacher should be able to form a judgment on the current level of students from their responses.
This test covers the following topics:
Solids, liquids, gases
Particle diagrams
Changes of state
Properties of solids, liquids and gases
Brownian motion
Melting and boiling points
Heating and cooling curves
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
A level or IB DP Chemistry worksheet on electrochemical cells.
A table compares voltaic / galvanic and electrolytic cells, before students are asked to answer a number of questions on the differences.
.pdf and .docx files included (same worksheet).
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
Year 7 or 8 lesson on the Particle Theory - Solids, Liquids and Gases.
PowerPoint and worksheets included (at the back of the PowerPoint).
LOs:
To identify solids, liquids and gases.
To describe the 3 states and their properties.
To explain changes of state using ideas about the particle model of matter.
Activities:
1. Do Now: Separate the different substances into solids, liquids and gases. Are there any you are unsure about?
2. Exposition: The particle theory of solids, liquids and gases
3. Student Activity: Explaining properties using the particle theory
4. Class Activity: Watch interactive content on particles (could be replaced by practical demonstrations in the laboratory)
5. Student Activity: Complete the information table about the particles in solids, liquids and gases (and green pen check)
6. Mini-plenary: Particles and states MCQs
7. Independent Task: Exam style questions on the particle theory (then self assessment and reflection)
8. Plenary: Learning triangle
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
A colourful worksheet for year 7 or 8 pupils on drawing particle diagrams.
Includes tips on how to draw particle diagrams, avoiding some common misconceptions (eg. particles not touching in a liquid) and a 7 question worksheet to check understanding.
The worksheet is uploaded both as PowerPoint (editable) and PDF files (same worksheet).
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
A year 7 or 8 lesson on metal alloys.
PowerPoint and worksheets included (at the back of the PowerPoint).
LOs:
To state what is meant by an alloy.
To describe the uses of some alloys.
To explain why an alloy can be stronger than a pure metal.
1. Do Now: Can you remember the names of these 4 metals? Which would you use to build a bridge? Why?
2. Exposition: Video (BBC) or exposition on alloys. Ask students to define what an alloy is (could be done via Think, Pair, Share).
3. Student Activity: Worksheet answering questions on alloys video (higher and scaffolded version included)
4. Student Activity: 'Information hunt' on what various alloys contain and what their applications are
5. Exposition: Why are alloys strong? Linking strength to microscopic structure
6. Plenary: Exam style question on why alloys are strong (keywords may be provided to help)
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
LOs:
To make predictions about whether an object will sink or float.
To define density and relate it to the particle model.
To use the equation to calculate the densities of different objects.
Aimed at a lower set year 8 class. A higher ability class will probably require more.
Density of solids and liquids PowerPoint. Includes heavily scaffolded worksheet on density calculations and a cloze exercise. Mini-plenary using mini-whiteboards or similar. Demonstration of density using water and a range of different objects.
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
For a lower set year 8 class.
A highly scaffolded worksheet teaching students how to use the density formula to calculate densities of various solids.
A cloze exercise testing understanding of key concepts about density.
Year 7 or 8 lesson on diffusion
LOs:
Describe the process of diffusion and its relation to the cell.
Explain how different factors affect the speed of diffusion.
Analyse results into an experiment of the factors which affect diffusion.
Activities:
1. Do Now: Starter question on liquids and gases
2. Student Activity: Demonstration of diffusion using potassium permanganate, iodine or perfume
3. Exposition: Introduce the particle model of diffusion
4. Mini-plenary: Whiteboard quiz
5. Exposition: Diffusion in cells and the factors affecting the rate of diffusion
6. Independent Task: Diffusion worksheet
7: Plenary: Check for understanding question
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
Year 13 lesson on Transition Metal complexes (based on AQA syllabus).
PowerPoint and worksheet included.
Print out last 3 slides to hand out examples of TM complexes to students.
LOs:
To define key terms in relation to complex ion formation.
To describe how the size of ligands affects the shape of complex ions.
To explain how ligand charge determines the charge on a complex ion.
1. Do Now: Recap on transition metals
2. Student Activity: Think, pair, share - what does TM complex diagram show?
3. Student Activity: Students come to their own definitions of 'ligand' and 'coordination number'
4. Exposition: Monodentate, bidentate, tridentate terms introduced
5. Mini-plenary: Checkpoint activity asking for ligand, coordination number and shape for 3 new complexes
6. Student Activity: Students draw out bidentate ligand and answer questions
7. Exposition: Introduce and discuss various multi dentate ligands, perhaps introducing the term 'chelate'
8. Exposition: Explaining shapes of complexes with regard to the size of a ligand
9. Exposition: How to calculate total charges on complex ions
10. Independent Task: Students complete worksheet on TM complexes
11. Plenary: Recap of all new terms learnt, using 3 new TM complexes
12. Extension Task: Drawing TM complexes
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
Key questions for year 12/year 13 on Mass Spectrometry. Answer key included.
The topic of the questions is molecular mass spectrometry and assumes some prior knowledge on atomic mass spectrometry and isotopes. There are 10 questions, which are designed to test knowledge and understanding. They could be used as a homework task pre-lesson as part of 'flip' learning, or as an independent or group task, using text books/online research to answer them.
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
GCSE lesson or revision lesson on Fuels from Oils, including recap of alkanes and alkenes
LOs:
To compare alkanes and alkenes.
To explain how fractional distillation works.
To analyse the differences between cracking and polymerisation
1. Do Now: Compare and contrast alkanes and alkenes
2. Student Activity: Labelling and explaining distillation apparatus
3. Student Activity: Describing trends in properties of different fractions from the fractional distillation process
4. Mini-plenary: MCQ on hydrocarbons
5. Student Activity: Explaining cracking of alkanes and polymerisation of alkenes
6. Independent Task: Exam style6 mark question on fractional distillation
7. Peer Assessment: Marking peers' work and giving feedback
8. Plenary: Re-do of exam style question, taking of peer feedback
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
2 x nuclear radiation and radioactivity Do Now keyword match up/comprehension activities.
The first tests the keywords 'stable', 'unstable', 'radioactive' and 'decay' and has a comprehension on alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
The second tests the keywords 'mutation', 'ionising radiation', 'fuel rods' etc. and has a brief comprehension on nuclear accidents.
Year 8 lesson on changes of state.
PowerPoint and worksheets included (at back of PowerPoint)
LOs:
To recognise changes of state as being reversible changes.
To use scientific terminology to describe changes of state.
To explain changes of state using the particle model and ideas about energy transfer.
1. Do Now: Which particle diagram shows a solid, a liquid and a gas?
2. Group Activity: Think, pair, share - what do the photos show?
3. Exposition: Changes of state and the particle model
4. Student Activity: Complete the diagram to show the changes of state and answer the questions
5. Mini-Plenary: Mini-whiteboard quiz on changes of state
6. Exposition: Different substances have different melting and boiling points
7. Exposition: Heating curves
8. Student Activity: Asking students to deduce what states different substances are at different temperatures, using their melting and boiling points
9. Plenary: Multiple choice questions exit ticket
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
A selection of KS3/KS4 Science Do Nows (mostly Physics), including comprehensions and keyword definition match ups.
Topics include:
Physics:
Types of energy
Energy transfer processes (conduction, convection, radiation)
Nuclear radiation and radioactivity
Nuclear reactors and dangers of radiation
Electrical components
Types of circuit (series and parallel)
Plugs, fuses and circuit breakers
The history of magnets
Permanent and temporary magnets
Using electromagnets
Static electricity and charge
Chemistry:
Elements, compounds and the periodic table
Properties of metals and non-metals
Chemical tests
Collision theory / kinetic theory
Biology:
Animal and plant cells and organelles
The human reproductive system
For more resources check out my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/alexpce
If you liked this resource, please write a review! :)
2 x Energy keyword match-up Do Nows.
Each activity involves students matching keywords to their definitions and then answering questions or correcting a paragraph.
1. The first tests students on types of energy, with keywords such as 'kinetic energy', 'thermal energy' and 'light energy' and then asks questions on useful and wasted energy transfers.
2. The second tests students on energy transfer process, with keywords such as 'conduction', 'convection', 'radiation' and 'vacuum' and asks students to correct spelling and grammar mistakes in a paragraph.
Collision theory / kinetic theory crossword Do Now
Students are required to 'fill in the gaps' to complete the crossword. The purpose is to check their understanding about the collision theory and how scientists can increase rates of reaction.
This resource tests students on 7 words which are present at the bottom of the worksheet in a 'word bank'. To differentiate this resource for more able students, you could remove the word bank.
The 7 solutions are:
activation, collide, energy, kinetic, orientation, speed, temperature
