Here are teacher instructions for demonstrating three exciting exothermic reactions along with one that is endothermic. To follow up there is a student worksheet which introduces energy level diagrams.

Two hands-on activities for what can be a rather dry area of work. In the first, students examine diagrams of atoms and use a periodic table to identify them. In the seconds, atom pairs are examined in order to find out whether or not they are isotopes. The activities work well after the key idea have been explained since they help students consolidate and then apply their knowledge.

This activity is the best method I've even found for helping students understand how to balance equations. In my experience, every child in the class, has been able to achieve success, even if it takes them longer than other. The activity requires at least a modest supply of molymod (or similar) atomic models. Two accompanying worksheets provide a structured opportunity to consolidate and stretch.

This suite of materials is designed to lead students through the details of ionic compounds The atoms and ions worksheet helps students understand how ions are formed from atoms. Follow it up with formulae activity where students where pairs of students have to work out the formula and the name of a compound formed from two ions randomly drawn from a pack. Finally, there's a worksheet with a structured, step wise approach to develop students ideas about ionic bonding.

Here are three activities to introduce students to the range of naturally occurring chemicals found on planet Earth. They are designed to develop student's skills of interpretation and analysis. Students first label a diagram of the planet to show its different components. They then extract information from a table and interpret it to discover more about the some of the chemicals found on Earth. Finally a set of chemical cards are sorted into a Venn diagram

In this bundle you'll find:- - a starter activity modelling air and the covalent molecules it contains - details of a teacher led demonstration showing that covalent molecules do not conduct electricity - an activity to help students draw representations of covalent molecules along with some extension activities - 3 worksheets to consolidate student learning

This is a great practical because students really will see the small beads of lead they create in the reaction. As well as details for the teacher and technician there is a worksheet for students that gives instructions as well as follow up work designed to help them think through the reaction. A foundation version of the student worksheet is also provided that may also be used with keystage three students.

A great practical activity for students who may be less academic; this experimental work will help students to see the relevance of chemistry to the construction industry. NOTE that access to a kiln (usually present in most secondary art departments) is required to make the bricks. There are instructions for making bricks and reinforced cement beams. Students then perform tests on the items they have made. There is follow up work provided on student worksheets

This is a role play activity to help students understand how electrolysis is uses to extract aluminium from aluminium oxide. It is designed to aid appreciation of the ionic nature of bauxite and assist the wring of ionic half equations. There is a follow-up worksheet to consolidate the key ideas.

This group of resources is "hands-on and brains-on" Start the lesson with the practical work making a rainbow. This can be done as a teacher demonstration but is lovely for students to carry out. Follow up with the "colouring in" worksheet that takes a look at different indicators. There is a kinesthetic activity designed to get students moving and help them think about which acids and alkalis are needed to make a series of salts. To finish off students can work through the neutralisation worksheet which involves more thinking and colouring in.

This lesson is run as a competition between small groups of students. The lesson encourages students to use a series of challenges and clues to work out for themselves the key ideas about the greenhouse effect. The lesson is structured with a starter, a session gathering the main ideas and then time for students to put together their own explanation. It is aimed at less academic GCSE students but would also work well for keystage 3 students and more able GCSE students who could complete it more quickly.

This card game is based on rummy and is designed to help students understand how salts are made when an acid and alkali react. Points are scored when a complete set of chemicals is collected. The game can be followed with a student worksheet developing ideas about neutralisation.

So many students find this topic confusing! This resource is intended to make clear the differences between atoms and molecules and between elements and compounds. The practical work is backed up by a student worksheet. It's primarily aimed at KS3 students but weaker KS4 students will find it helpful too.

Here are two activities designed to help students understand the significance of elements and investigate some of their properties. The activities are backed up by a student worksheet. It is primarily aimed at KS3 students though teachers might like to use it with less able KS4 students too.

This hands-one, minds-on activity is designed to get students thinking about the differences between atoms and molecules. It is backed up with a student worksheets which gets students thinking even further. Molymod (or equivalent) models are required. Although this activity is aimed primarily at KS3 students, GCSE students are likely to find it helpful too.

Whilst students play top trumps with these well designed cards (supplied in word and pdf format), they will learn much about molecular structure and formulae as well as finding out about how living organisms use the molecules. A great starter activity, students enjoy the game and learn a lot along the way.