use before completing cracking practical with year 10's Aims: To review previous knowledge of hydrocarbons; To appreciate that there discrepancy between supply and demand of short chain hydrocarbons; To understand how this problem is overcome.

I give this to students and ask them to ID which is primary and which is secondary - looks at the way each fragments.

Expert group activity - use any resources you like. put class in groups of 3 and each has to investigate a fuel and feed back to group. then individually they decide which fuel they would use, given the choice.

I show the group this example of properties and uses of iron, then i give them an element each and they have to produce an A4 poster with properties and uses. This is easy to differentiate for low and high ability by choice of element - done using internet.

lesson plan for medeleev lesson - students watch link, making notes on mendeleev and then create a radio interview with the scientist, explaining what he did. This works really well!

I split my year 12's into small groups and give them 1 alkane reaction each. They have to assess risks and hazards and then demo the prac to the rest of the class - explaining their risk assessment at start - a good ice breaker at the start of the course!

Copy one set for each group of pupils (I usually have 4 per group) Cut out all of the test boxes and then pupils have to create 3 step synthesis routes, including reagents and conditions, as fast as they can. Loads of fun and really shows understanding and gaps in knowledge.

i start the lesson with a wham bottle demo (for extra entertainment tell pupils they need to look and listen carefully because the reaction can be hard to notice). I demo the citric acid prac in a balloon, so they can all feel how cold it gets.

First I do a starter activity about risks and hazards of practical work. I use this as an assessed practical skills lesson. Allow pupils to do practical with as little help as possible and then give feed back on their technique.

a test comparing polyamides and polyesters

ppt and w/s to fill in as you go through - good discussion lesson

introduction ppt with web link and IT task

2 question test - questions on free rad sub and electrophilic addition, followed by mass spec analysis. There is also an improvement sheet for students to fill in QUALITY MARKING OPPORTUNITY

PowerPoint and fill in work book - introduction to atomic structure (AS).

general ppts on amines - leads onto synthesis routes (steam distillation etc)

i use this check list to quality mark practical write ups - saves loads of time

I divide class into 2 groups and they have to search internet and provided resources on graphite or diamond and answer specific questions. They then pick a lab partner from other group and coach each other. Once this is done I give them a 6 mark question: explain why graphite conducts electricity but diamond does not, which they self assess. Very pacey lesson with excellent outcomes.

tests knowledge of acid and base hydrolysis and other related reactions. Please comment if you like/use.

Goes through what is required on edexcel a2 specification. Looks at ways of adding and removing carbon atoms.

to help focus revision homework before end of topic test. Covers edexcel specification. please leave a comment and rate if you use - thanks!