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Outstanding GCSE and A level chemistry resources

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Having taught GCSE and A level chemistry for 6 years and being an examiner I have developed a solid understanding of what makes a lesson outstanding and seek to share this with other teachers.

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Having taught GCSE and A level chemistry for 6 years and being an examiner I have developed a solid understanding of what makes a lesson outstanding and seek to share this with other teachers.
Atomic structure introduction - High School Chemistry - covers elements, compounds and formulae
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Atomic structure introduction - High School Chemistry - covers elements, compounds and formulae

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This is is an introductory lesson on atomic structure for High School Chemistry that begins with a fun film characters elements starter. There is then a discussion on how elements are made in supernovae. Students then consider rules for naming compounds and how to write formulae. They then then write the formulae for 12 substances. The challenge is to write empirical formulae. The lesson concludes with a consideration of how some of the chemicals are harmful to fish such as Nemo. Titanium dioxide in suntan cream causes water and oxygen in seawater to react to form hydrogen peroxide that is toixc to fish. Answers are included.
Enthalpy changes - covers bond enthalpy, energy-level diagrams, calculations - Senior High School
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Enthalpy changes - covers bond enthalpy, energy-level diagrams, calculations - Senior High School

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This is a comprehensive lesson that provides an introduction to enthalpy changes and serves as the first lesson in a scheme of work on energetics for Senior High School Chemistry. The lesson starts with a recap of GCSE chemistry then moves on to defining enthalpy changes. Students learn the definitions of each type of enthalpy change for homework due in the following lesson. Students then consider energy level diagrams for the grade C task. For the grade B task students predict enthalpy changes using bond dissociation data. There is a worked example of this using the Haber process. The grade A task involves converting enthalpy change values into Joules per gram values that might be used in calorimetry. Scaffolded resources and a markscheme are provided. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Equilibrium -  A level chemistry - writing an expression for Kc - 2016 specification onwards
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Equilibrium - A level chemistry - writing an expression for Kc - 2016 specification onwards

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This is a thoroughly planned A level lesson writing an expression for the equilibrium constant Kc. The 2016 specification DOES NOT include Kp - partial pressures and thus students must ALWAYS write their expressions using SQUARE brackets (Kp uses curved brackets). The lesson starts with a recap of equilibrium then moves on to heterogeneous and homogeneous reaction systems. The lesson then moves to students writing expressions for Kc for a variety of reactions. Note that solids are left out of the expression for Kc as their concentration hardly changes during at equilibrium (they occupy a small volume). Answers are provided. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Fuel cells - A level chemistry - includes combining fuel cell half equations
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Fuel cells - A level chemistry - includes combining fuel cell half equations

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This is a lesson for A level chemistry on fuel cells. It begins with getting students to consider whether hydrogen would be a good source of energy to power cars for the future. Required learning from previous lessons is electrode potentials and half cells. The hydrogen balloon demo could be shown at the start to get students to appreciate that a lot of energy is released in a short amount of time from a small amount of fuel. Hydrogen produces the most amount of energy per gram for any chemical fuel. Students then draw a diagram to show how the standard electrode potential of an oxygen half cell could be determined - i.e. use a H+ reference electrode in one beaker and connect using a salt bridge to another beaker with O2- ions and O2 gas being bubbled through and using platinum as the electrode. Students then learn that O2 gas is reduced in the presence of H2O (i.e. bubbled through water) to OH- ions not O2- ions. This forms the basis of the hydrogen fuel cell where oxygen is bubbled in to one beaker with a platinum (or carbon) electrode, hydrogen is bubbled into another beaker with a platinum (or carbon) electrode and a salt bridge is attached between the beakers. Students could carry out this practical in pairs by using balloons filled with hydrogen and oxygen and allowing the gases to escape under water in the 250ml beakers. Filter paper soaked in sodium hydroxide could act as the salt bridge. Students then compare different types of fuel cell and write overall equations. There is a 5 mark exam question that can be used as an end of lesson plenary or homework. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Group 2 nitrates and carbonates - AS Chemistry
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Group 2 nitrates and carbonates - AS Chemistry

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This is an engaging AS Chemistry lesson on the group 1 and 2 nitrate and carbonate decompositions and has grades C to A. The starter is fire writing using sodium nitrate solution. Please read CLEAPPS safety and Royal Society of Chemistry advice on this compound and the practical. For grade C students describe the reactions. For grade B students explain the decompositions and for grade A they evaluate their answers. An extra activity such a diamond 4 could be included for students to rank their answers. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Designing cars for the future level assessed task
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Designing cars for the future level assessed task

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This is a how science works level assessed task aimed at levels KS3 levels 3 to 7. This assesses the learning of global warming and renewable resources by getting students to design a car for the future that reduces carbon dioxide emissions. I use this as part of a year 8 scheme of work. The word document can be used to edit the LAT and then save it as a JPEG file that is pasted into PowerPoint. The PowerPoint is the A4 document that is printed for students. The video shows a very cool solar road car driving at 10% max speed for testing. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
Socrative quiz - GCSE balancing half equations - high ability
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Socrative quiz - GCSE balancing half equations - high ability

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In this lesson plan you will find the SOC codes to import our quiz and our short answer task to your Socrative room. These great revision activities that you can use with the whole class as starters, plenaries, or to consolidate learning. This links to the GCSE Chemistry topic of electrolysis.
Acids and alkalis word and symbol equations from pictures KS3
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Acids and alkalis word and symbol equations from pictures KS3

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This is a lesson on word and symbol equations for the KS3 acids and bases topic. Levels 4 to high level 6 are covered. This would also suit GCSE classes. Students replace pictures with words to write word equations in their books or on whiteboards. The level 6 task is writing symbol equations where the formulae of salts is provided. There are a variety of differentiated worksheets. There are acids and bases labels than be cut and laminated for a kinesthetic activity. They need to add water. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Redox lesson plan and activities A2 OCR A Chem
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Redox lesson plan and activities A2 OCR A Chem

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This is a lesson on redox for OCR A chemistry F325 module 2. The main skill developed is writing and balancing half equations. The lesson that follows is on cells and uses half equations. Slide 9 is a tarsia that is printed and cut out. The youtube clip is a 3 minute periodic table timer for the starter activity. The practical is OCR A practical 23 on redox reactions. Plenarising is thorugh mini whiteboards for equations and scores on tarsia and plenary exam q. This observed lesson was a 2 but has potential to be a 1 if there is sufficient student engagement. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
Dative covalent bonding lesson AS Chemistry KS5
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Dative covalent bonding lesson AS Chemistry KS5

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This is a lesson on dative covalent bonding. Included is a lesson plan with answers, a student handout and practice exam questions for homework or for revision. For the handout print slides 2 to 13 as 6 slides per page. Print slides 14 and 15 as 2 slides per page. Print slide 17 as one slide. Print slides 18 to 21 two slides per page. The main task is designed to allow students to reach up to grade A and involves teamwork and peer assessment. I suggest students carry out the main task on A3 paper in pairs. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Greenhouse effect GCSE - The importance of infra-red radiation  - 2016 AQA specification
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Greenhouse effect GCSE - The importance of infra-red radiation - 2016 AQA specification

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This is a lesson on the greenhouse effect for the 2016 AQA specification. The lesson starter is a matchup activity that is printed and handed to students as they enter the classroom. Required learning for this activity is knowing the percentage of gases in the atmosphere and an overview what the greenhouse effect is from KS3 science or geography. More able students will know for the starter that UV is produced from the Sun and the earth emits IR. The lesson then discusses what IR radiation is using an exam of hair curlers. Students then use PHET simulation laminates to compare how greenhouse gases affect the amount of IR being 'trapped' (absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted back to space and the surface of the Earth). They count the number of yellow dots (representing photons of UV light) and red dots (representing photons of IR light). The laminates could be colour printed and laminated in A4 with each table (4 to 6 students) receiving one complete set of laminates. The amount of UV photons remains fairly constant but the amount of IR photons increases as the amount of greenhouse gases increases. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Solutions particle theory - covers solubility, solute, solvent
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Solutions particle theory - covers solubility, solute, solvent

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This is a lesson designed for higher ability Key Stage 3 students on solubility. The lesson starts off with a key a question about how much sugar is in coffee. This linked to a news item about a famous coffee brand that has up to 25 teaspoons (100g) of sugar in one cup of coffee. Students then consider what a concentrated an dilute solution looks like in terms of the arrangement of their particles. Finally students need to use the printed spreadsheet to calculate the concentration of various drinks and suggest what could be done to dilute them. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Molar gas volume lesson - AS Chemistry
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Molar gas volume lesson - AS Chemistry

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This is a lesson with grades D to B on molar gas volumes for AS Chemistry. The hook for the starter is to consider different types of fire extinguisher. Students then consider how they would calculate the volume of carbon dioxide produced from a CO2 extinguisher and 4 extinguishers that contain a solid that decomposes on heating to produce CO2. There is an A grade extension question as well as exam questions with mark schemes. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Combined NMR IR Mass spec analysis A2 chemistry
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Combined NMR IR Mass spec analysis A2 chemistry

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This is a lesson plan and activities for using combined analytical techniques - NMR (proton and carbon), mass spec and infra red spec. Differentiated LO are provided and 3 unknown compounds are analysed (salicyclic acid, ethyl butanoate and aspirin). There is a group task that makes this a student led independent learning lesson where what matters is the justified analysis using annotated evidence rather than the correct answer. Feedback to my TES inbox please.
REDOX titrations - AS Chemistry
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REDOX titrations - AS Chemistry

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This is an AS Chemistry lesson on REDOX titrations with grades C to A. For the grade C task students consider the stages of a titration. This could be a kinaesthetic activity if slides 8 and 9 are printed and cut. Note that there is some flexibility over the ordering of the stages. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Redox definitions tarsia puzzle
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Redox definitions tarsia puzzle

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This powerpoint contains a starter, learning objectives and definitions match up puzzle for an A2 chemistry lesson on redox. This can be taught before half cells and electrode potentials. Slide 8 is the tarsia that can be modified. Slide 9 is the slide to be printed and cut out (possibly laminated). Feedback to my TES inbox please.
Revision aids for science 1 - Mnemonics
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Revision aids for science 1 - Mnemonics

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I am putting together a series of science revision resources designed to improve success in science exams. This resource includes mnemonics for cell cycle, cis-trans isomers, enthalpy, food tests (buret etc) and protein structure. I will provide a student-friendly powerpoint for later in the year. Feedback to my TES inbox please. Let me know mnemonics that you would like to be included and I will add these to my list. The YouTube videos link to nemonic songs. I adapt the YouTube reactivity series nemonic to get more able students to include metals such as Tin and Platinum.
Science club activity 1 - Fire writing
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Science club activity 1 - Fire writing

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This is one of a series of popular engaging science club activities for students that a colleague and I organise. This is a fire writing activity where students make and use a saturated sodium nitrate solution if they are able (HAZARDOUS). For weaker students this could be made in advance. They then paint this solution onto filter paper and dry it using a low temperature hairdryer and apply a glowing (not lit) splint. This is based on a RSC practical. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Making conclusions on global warming lesson
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Making conclusions on global warming lesson

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A 3 part lesson sequence on making better conclusions is suggested and a lesson provided for the 3rd lesson in the sequence - making your own conclusion on whether global warming is supported by evidence.