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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.
Group 2 metal compound reactions - AS Chemistry
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Group 2 metal compound reactions - AS Chemistry

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This is an AS Chemistry lesson on the group 2 metal compounds and their reactivity and solubility at grades C to A. For grade C students write symbol equations. Note that the hydroxides and sulphates show opposite trends in solubility. For grade B they consider the aluminium sulphate Camelford water poisoning in Cornwall and write ionic equations. Note that all ions are aqueous and that Barium chloride and aluminium sulphate are soluble compounds. For grade A they analyse different data and use this to explain trends in solubility of group 2 compounds. For an engaging starter you could show the reaction of potassium with water and ask students to predict how the reactivity of group 2 metals would be different (less owing to increased charge density and 2 ionisation energies to make the ion). 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.
pH acids, bases and ka calculations loop game A2
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pH acids, bases and ka calculations loop game A2

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This is a loop game made of 18 separate questions to help revise and understand acid, base and pH calculations as part of A level chemistry - for example in OCR A Chemistry module F325. This makes for an engaging plenary in lesson. I write the equations up on the left of the white board as they are read out and refer back to them in lesson. If there are any suggestions for improvement or general comments please leave them.
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.
Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5
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Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5

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These are a series of dingbats that I have created as engaging starter activities. They work really well as a short punchy starter that students answer on whiteboards before the 4 minute song finishes that students hear as they walk in (e.g. Bon Jovi, Olly Murs). The words are keywords that are referred back to in lesson. There are dingbats for KS3, KS4 and KS5 on these topics: photosynthesis, respiration, compounds, hydrocarbons and carbonyls (A level). Students could post it note their answers with their names and stick them on the whiteboard next to the image. Please leave feedback.
Polymerisation GCSE
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Polymerisation GCSE

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This is an action packed lesson on polymerisation. The starter is a dingbat that is shown whilst students listen to music to help them. Part 1 is where students make ethene then link to make polythene using molymods. Part 2 is where students write down the formula of a polymer, write that on post its then stick it posters. Part 3 is where students design a cheese rolling suit using information about polymers. The plenary is a 6 mark question on their design that brings the lesson together. These are activities for a fun and potentially outstanding lesson. Please 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.
REDOX lesson 1 - Determination of oxidation number - AS Chemistry
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REDOX lesson 1 - Determination of oxidation number - AS Chemistry

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This is an AS Chemistry lesson on determining the oxidation number of an element in a compound. The starter is a very engaging potassium dichromate volcano where students describe what is happening (e.g. thermal decomposition). The demo must be done in a fume hood and CLEAPPS safety advice should be considered. Instructions for this practical are on the Royal Society for Chemistry website. The sts version of the lesson is printed 2 slides per page. The lesson has animated answers that show a careful step by step calculations so that weaker students are able to access the content. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
NMR for A level Chemistry
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NMR for A level Chemistry

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This is a thoroughly scaffolded series of lessons on carbon-13 and proton NMR for A level chemistry. The student version does not contain the answers. Please leave a review.