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.

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.

A highly structured and scaffolded suite of questions which guide students through the process of answering calculation questions using an equation. The smart use of a grid allows students to pick out the information they need and enables them to succeed. The questions get harder as the students progress through the pack. There’s also a worksheet (explaining electrical relationships) designed to help students think through what the mathematical relationships mean. This resources covers all the equations on the topic of electricity needed for AQA GCSE phyiscs (2016 spec)

After a discussion about what constitutes a species, students study pictures of ladybirds and record their observations. They decide how many different species of ladybirds they think there are. They then classify each of the pictures again using an ID chart and compare their findings.

A teacher led demonstration activity to help students understand how errors in measurement are inevitable. The accompanying worksheet allows students to record the errors as they occur in the demonstration and then provides an opportunity to think through what they learnt.

This is a suite of materials containing a number of different activities. It starts with lots of fun mini experiments where students record the differences between them. Their results are used to examine the differences between continuous and discontinuous variation. Variation in other species is examined too with an emphasis on data handling.

It's hard to find much practical work to do around food chains. Here's a very active demonstration that turns into a student race and brings home all the key ideas that students need to understand. It's accompanied by a crossword puzzle.

Here students consider the genetic and environmental causes of variation by building a model human. Students enjoy making the models which make clear the different types of variation. There is a worksheet to use as a follow up to the activity which extends the key ideas and promotes thinking.

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.

There are enough resources here to fill two lessons on the topic of electrical power. The activities include a student practical finding the power of various kettles; the student sheet has instructions and guides students through the calculations required. There is also a demonstration using an electricity meter to compare the power of various electrical items. They are backed up with three different worksheets helping students to understand and use the equation power = potential difference x current.

This lesson includes a starter where students examine a number of electrical items to find out about their power, voltage, current etc. There is then a set of cards that can be laminated and passed around the class . Using the information on the cards, students calculate how much it costs to operate each device as shown, filling in their findings and calculations in the table provided on the student sheet. To consolidate and reinforce understanding, there is a worksheet with more calculations to carry out.

This role play is the best method I've used to help students understand current and potential difference; these abstract concepts really need some concrete models if students are to grasp them. The role play is followed by comparison with two further models and there is a further worksheet to help consolidate understanding

In this lesson, students use their knowledge (supplemented by the fact sheet provided) to decide how the meet the energy requirements of an island. In my experience, students enjoy the activity and there are often heated arguments between the groups!

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.

Here are a selection of resources to help with teaching radioactivity - A set of mystery cards (along with teacher notes) about the nature of radioactivity. Students use the information on the set of cards make deductions about the 3 types of radiation - a worksheet about the properties of the 3 types of radiation and a second worksheet about ionisation. - some suggestions for teaching nuclear equations - a presentation about the death of Alexander Litvinenko which draws heavily on GCSE knowledge on this subject.

Since 2016, specifications have used the Institute of Physics preferred language describing energy stores and energy transfers. Here are notes and a worksheet for students along with a cut and stick activity to provide practise using these new ways of thinking about energy

Use this to help your students build a knowledge base as they revise the required practicals in preparation for sitting the exam. Students find YouTube videos of the practicals (readily available) and then use the instructions and structure provided by this booklet to complete a summary of each experiment.

Thirteen questions over four sides of A4 that require students to interpret graphs on topics from all areas of the GCSE physics specification. Perfect for exam preparation. Worked answers are also provided.

Full and detailed instructions for building a simple loudspeaker that will work and play music.

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.