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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

A suite of three highly engaging activities to help students relate sub-atomic structure and electron configuration to the periodic table 1 Periodic Table Bingo uses real bingo cards and can get very competitive 2 An outline, blank periodic table (featuring the first 20 elements) which students complete by drawing in the electrons in each of the atoms 3 A worksheet designed to help students see the link between number of shells and period and number of outer electrons and group.

This resource gives full details for teachers on how to carry out three demonstrations with alkali metals. It should be helpful for new teachers or those teaching out of their specialism 1. observing and comparing with other metals 2 reaction with water- the straightforward demo plus two further enhancements readily carried out in the lab 3 reacting sodium with chlorine There is also a table for students to record their observations.

In my experience (over 20 years!) this method of explaining how to balance equations has never failed. That's a bold claim but students unfailingly enjoy this activity and find it really helpful . Note that a molymod molecular model kit (or similar) is required. Also included are a two worksheets which allow students to practise writing equations without the models.

A suite of resources to help students understand the development of the periodic table and how it highlights patterns and trends in the elements. It includes a presentation detailing the history of the periodic table, two active worksheets to help students appreciate how the periodic table is organised, a template for students to make their own spiral periodic table and a list giving links to five of the best periodic table resources available on the web.

This is a card game (based on rummy) where students collect sets of cards that, taken together, form a complete neutralisation reaction. There is a full set of playing cards along with instructions on how to play for the teacher. To accompany the game there is also a "colouring in" worksheet that links neutralisation reactions to changes in pH. There is also a thinking activity where students read through a series of cards in order to find out the uses of some common salts formed by neutralisation.

Here are details of a practical investigation into the role of salt in preserving food that is simple to carry out and doesn't require much equipment. The results are quick and easy to analyse. To follow up there is a worksheet probing further into salt and human health where students calculate how much of the recommended daily intake is contained in various foods.

There are instructions here for a teacher demonstration comparing the oxidation of iron in air and oxygen. There is then a Venn diagram activity where students classify a series of chemical reactions - an activity designed to promote thinking and learning. Finally, there is a follow up worksheet that recaps the key ideas. Finally there is a presentation that gives a useful comparison of oxidation and reduction along with helpful definitions

Here are two games that really help students get the hang of formulae. They have been used successfully with students in years 8-11 from many different schools. Use them when introducing students to formulae in keystage 3 or 4. They are suitable for all abilities and also requires students to communicate effectively. Game One - Molecule Race. Working in pairs, students race to build models of ten different molecules. One student uses the card to give instructions to the other who builds the molecule. The cards are provided in word and pdf format. MOLECULAR MODEL KIT (EG MOLYMOD) REQUIRED. Game Two - Triplet Match. This whole class or team activity gets students to match names, with formuale and diagrams.