Just the thing for the end of term - a Christmas-themed activity! Students work out the colour code by looking up the proton number of each element symbol shown in the picture (using the Periodic Table). They then either use that number on its own, or add or subtract proton numbers, to give the colour code. There is a key below the picture that allows the colour code to be converted to a colour. Ideal for familiarising students with elements on the Periodic Table, with a bit of seasonal fun thrown in. Aimed at key stage 3 but might also be enjoyed by some older students. PDF (larger image) and Word document versions included.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the second lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Planning Investigations, and to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what should be included in the plan for an investigation; most pupils should also be able to identify data as accurate or precise; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe a risk assessment. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 4 and 5 of the blue Activate ,1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Christmas is nearly here - and here is an early Christmas present for all you hard-working science teachers! I have put together a multiple choice quiz round based on science discoveries made during the past year, or planned for the near future. It should be suitable for all secondary pupils from 11 to 18 years as a starter - or at the end of a lesson. If you like it, why not check back for my full lesson Christmas quiz/activity PowerPoint? Merry Christmas to all!!

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the first lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Asking Scientific Questions, and to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state some questions that can be investigated; most pupils should also be able to describe how scientists develop an idea into a question that can be investigated; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to identify independent, dependent, and control variables. Supporting information can be found on page 2 and 3 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

This resource includes complete lessons covering KS3 Activate 1, C1, Chapter 1. Lessons covered are as follows: 1.1 The Particle Model; 1.2 States of Matter; 1.3 Melting and Freezing; 1.4 Boiling; 1.5 More Changes of State; 1.6 Diffusion; 1.7 Gas Pressure. The lessons are ready to go and are designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes.The PPTs include learning outcomes, new knowledge, practical work, activities, and in some cases video-links. Each PPT starts with a slide of Teachers Notes which gives details of the Activate worksheets that the PPT has been designed to work with, keywords and, in some cases, textbook page numbers for further tasks/support. Please note that the Activate worksheets themselves are not included, due to copyright.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 1.5 Practical Sheet-Who can make the biggest crystals? The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to recall changes of state involving gases; most pupils should also be able to describe how particles change in their arrangements during evaporation, condensation and sublimation; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe changes of state involving gases. Keywords include 'evaporation, condensation, and sublimation. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 68 and 69, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 2.3 Practical Sheet - Introducing Compounds. Included on the slides is a modelling exercise using sweets as particles. A student worksheet is included for this exercise. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state that elements and compounds are different; most pupils should also be able to identify elements within compounds; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to state what a compound is and describe it using particle diagrams to help. Keywords include the words 'compound' and 'molecule'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 80 and 81, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. A Pre-starter looping PPT is provided to play as students enter the room to initiate discussion. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 2.4 Activity Sheet -What does a chemical formula tell us? Included in the presentation is a slide introducing the methane bubbles demonstration together with a video link. A student worksheet is also included. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to name the elements in a compound; most pupils should also be able to write the chemical names for some simple compounds; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to write and interpret chemical formulae. Keywords for this lesson are 'chemical formula' . Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 82 and 83, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the fourth lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Analysing Data. It is targeted at pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what is meant by a line of best fit; most pupils should also be able to list what should be included in a conclusion; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to find a pattern in data using a graph or a chart. Keywords include analyse, line of best fit, and conclusion. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 8 and 9 of the blue Activate 1, KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the fifth lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Evaluating Data. It is targeted at pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state how to evaluate data; most pupils should also be able to describe the stages in evaluating data; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to suggest ways of improving a practical investigation. Keywords include evaluate, confidence, random error, and systematic error. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 10 and 11 of the blue Activate 1, KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1 1.1 Checklist and the C1 1.1 Activity Sheet (Introducing the Particle Model). The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state that materials are made up of particles; most pupils should also be able to match particle models to the properties of a material; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe how materials are made up of particles. Keywords include 'material, particle, mixture, substance and property'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 60 and 61, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook. Please leave feedback if you download and use this resource. Many thanks!

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1 1.2 Practical sheet - Properties of solids, liquids and gases. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to identify a substance in its 3 states; most pupils should also be able to match properties of the 3 states of matter to the state; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the properties of a substance in its 3 states. Challenge work involves using ideas about particles to explain the properties of a substance in its three states. Keywords include 'solid, liquid, gas, and states of matter'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 62 and 63, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook. Please leave feedback if you download and use this resource. Many thanks!

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1 1.3 Practical sheet - Observing the Cooling of Stearic Acid. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state the meaning of the term 'melting point'; most pupils should also be able to describe how the states of matter change as stearic acid cools; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to discuss the change in particle movement during melting and freezing, using particle diagrams. Keywords include 'melting, change of state, freezing, and melting point'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 64 and 65, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook. Please leave feedback if you download and use this resource. Many thanks!

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. Included on the PPT are two video-clip links - one to the collapsing can experiment and one to the expanding/shrinking marshmallow experiment; a collapsing can animation; and T/F questions. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 1.7 Practical Sheet - What affects gas pressure? The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state everyday examples of gas pressure; most pupils should also be able to describe what gas pressure is; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to use the particle model to explain gas pressure. Keywords include 'collide, and gas pressure'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 72 and 73, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. Included on the PPT are a fun game, a simple demonstration, an animation, T/F questions, a differentiated gap fill exercise and a homework task. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 1.6 Practical Sheet - What affects the rate of diffusion? The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state examples of diffusion; most pupils should also be able to describe the movement of particles in diffusion; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe evidence for diffusion. The keyword of the day is 'diffusion'! Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 70 and 71, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with an alternate (parallel) activity to the Activate C1, 2.1 Activity Sheet - The Elements. A pupil 'Elements' sheet is included with the resource to be printed out before the lesson. This can be used as an ICT opportunity or textbooks can be substituted, if necessary. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to match the term “element” to its definition; most pupils should also be able to state examples of elements; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to recall the chemical symbols of six elements. Keywords include element, Periodic table, and chemical symbol'. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 76 and 77, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 2.2 Activity Sheet - Properties of Atoms and Elements. Included on the slides is a literacy-based creative writing task. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to list the properties of some elements; most pupils should also be able to identify substances that are elements, giving a reason; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to state what atoms are. The keyword of the lesson is 'atom'!. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 78 and 79, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

This resource includes complete lessons covering KS3 Activate 1, C1, Chapter 2. Lessons covered are as follows: 2.1 Elements; 2.2 Atoms; 2.3 Compounds; 2.4 Chemical Formulae The lessons are ready to go and are designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. The PPTs include learning outcomes, new knowledge, practical work, activities, and in some cases video-links. Each PPT starts with a slide of Teachers Notes which gives details of the Activate worksheets that the PPT has been designed to work with, keywords and, in some cases, textbook page numbers for further tasks/support. Please note that the Activate worksheets themselves are not included, due to copyright.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate C1, 1.4 Activity sheet -Heating Water. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to recognise that different substances boil at different temperatures; most pupils should also be able to describe boiling as a change of state; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to use the particle model to explain boiling. Keywords include 'conserve, boiling, and boiling point. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 66 and 67, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.