Hero image

Outstanding GCSE and A level chemistry resources

Average Rating4.25
(based on 462 reviews)

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.

418Uploads

630k+Views

422k+Downloads

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.
Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5
rs007rs007

Dingbat engaging starters for science KS3 to KS5

(11)
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.
Paper chromatography GCSE Chemistry tarsia - use as starter, plenary or revision
rs007rs007

Paper chromatography GCSE Chemistry tarsia - use as starter, plenary or revision

(0)
This is a fun yet challenging GCSE Chemistry tarsia for revision of the paper chromatography. There are 16 triangles with 18 pairs of questions and answers that make a parallelogram. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: Rf value, adsorb, solvent, soluble and uses of chromatography. The 'fjsw' file can be opened and modified with tarsia software. The tarsia software is free to download but there is not currently a version for Mac computers.
An introduction to electrochemical cells - A level - includes writing half cells
rs007rs007

An introduction to electrochemical cells - A level - includes writing half cells

(0)
This is a lesson for A level chemistry on electrochemical cells. It starts with students constructing a fruit cell and combing four of these cells to make a battery that powers a light bulb . These are made from a whole lemon, piece of clean copper, piece of clean zinc, electrical wires, crocodile clips and light bulb. This could be shown as a demo if there is not much time. Students offer explanations as to how this works. They are introduced to the theory behind how batteries work, what a half cell is and notation for writing half cells and E-cell. The hydrogen / H+ / platinum reference electrode is then introduced as a standard that is used to compare the voltage different half cells. Reinforce the idea that platinum is used because it a very unreactive electrical conductor. Students then use the electrode potentials table (go through this) to write the voltage and reactions for different combinations of half cells. This could be set as homework instead. The lesson finishes with an exam question plenary. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE - includes distillation, RSC practical, exam questions
rs007rs007

Fractional distillation of crude oil GCSE - includes distillation, RSC practical, exam questions

(0)
This is a thoroughly differentiated GCSE chemistry lesson on differentiation that forms part of the AQA 2016 specification 4.7 organic chemistry scheme of work. The internet research homework should be set in advance so that students bring it to the lesson. A website is provided for them on the sheet. The match up starter checks their understanding from the fraction uses homework. This could be printed. For a very able class the fractional distillation mat could be used as the starter. The lesson then goes over what distillation is and then introduces fractional distillation. It is absolutely essential that students understand that distillation separates two substances based on their boiling points and that fractional distillation applies to two or miscible liquids (liquids that do not separate into layers and dissolve instead). They need to know that vaporisation and condensation are the two main steps of distillation. There are plenty of exam questions to demonstrate progress. A RSC practical is included. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Group 2 nitrates and carbonates - AS Chemistry
rs007rs007

Group 2 nitrates and carbonates - AS Chemistry

(0)
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.
Advanced titrations lesson - AS Chemistry
rs007rs007

Advanced titrations lesson - AS Chemistry

(0)
This is an AS Chemistry lesson on advanced titration calculations for a very able class. Though this has grades C to A the concepts in back titration and the grade A zeolite research task together make this a fast paced lesson designed to challenge very bright students. An easier more differentiated version of this lesson will be uploaded to TES later in the year that will be accessed by weaker students. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Reactivity millionaire KS3 year 8
rs007rs007

Reactivity millionaire KS3 year 8

(2)
This is a who wants to be a millionaire quiz designed for mixed ability year 8 students. Questions cover displacement reactions, reactivity series, salts, acid rain. Feedback to my TES inbox please. The template is based on a template designed by Terri Street.
Evolution of the atmosphere GCSE - AQA 2016 specification - Outstanding lesson
rs007rs007

Evolution of the atmosphere GCSE - AQA 2016 specification - Outstanding lesson

(0)
This is a thorough set of lesson resources designed to promote engagement, pace and sustained student progress through a 60 minute GCSE lesson on the evolution of the atmosphere. The lesson has been designed for the updated 2016 specification for exam board AQA and topic 4.9 Chemistry of the atmosphere. This is the first of a series of lessons on the atmosphere. Please read the lesson plan and lesson PowerPoint. The hook is students considering what pieces of information are needed to work out if life exists on other planets. Students may then consider the Drake equation (in the PPT) and the key question "what is the link between the evolution of the atmosphere and the evolution of life?". There is an Ammonium Dichromate volcano demo (see RSC link in lesson plan). The main activity is where students create a storyboard using detailed lamented sheets and then peer assess using a marking grid that suits higher and lower ability groups. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Balancing equations GCSE
rs007rs007

Balancing equations GCSE

(0)
This covers balancing equations skills for GCSE. This is lesson 2 in the atomic structure scheme of work for the AQA 2016 specification. The lesson starts with a recap of elements, compounds and formulae (lesson 1 in the AQA atomic structure scheme of work). The lesson then has a demo of the sodium and chlorine reaction. Students are then introduced to the rules for balancing equations. They can balance equations using the particle diagrams method that is included in the main lesson. Alternatively students could use the column method or use boiled sweets that are included separately. The challenge is to balance equations that use brackets and to balance half equations. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Elements and compounds KS3 tarsia - use as a lesson starter, plenary or revision
rs007rs007

Elements and compounds KS3 tarsia - use as a lesson starter, plenary or revision

(0)
This is a KS3 chemistry tarsia for revision of elements and compounds. I suggest that the A4 tarsia is printed on card and then the outline is cut out. Students can then quickly cut out the individual triangles. Included are the following topics: number of atoms in a molecule, number of elements in a compound, definition of elements and compounds.
Alcohols GCSE - includes dot and cross digram, fermentation vs hydration, displayed formulae
rs007rs007

Alcohols GCSE - includes dot and cross digram, fermentation vs hydration, displayed formulae

(0)
This is a thoroughly differentiated GSCE chemistry lesson on alcohols for the 2016 GCSE chemistry specification. It forms part of the AQA organic chemistry scheme of work, topic 4.7. The lesson starts with students recapping prior learning on molecular formulae. Students are then introduced to the idea that the substance in alcohol is ethanol and that there are 2 main ways of making ethanol. They write word and symbol equations for these 2 methods. More able students draw the displayed formula and dot and cross diagram of ethanol (2016 specification requirement) whilst weaker students complete the equations activity. Students then compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of making ethanol. The lesson concludes with an exam question plenary. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Alkenes GCSE - 2016 specification - includes tests with bromine, chlorine and iodine + practical
rs007rs007

Alkenes GCSE - 2016 specification - includes tests with bromine, chlorine and iodine + practical

(0)
This is a chemistry lesson designed for the 2016 specification for the exam board AQA. The updated specification specifically makes reference to chlorine and iodine and so the results of alkene tests with these halogens has been included. There is a practical that is based on a RSC practical. Instructions and safety advice for the practical are included in the lesson. Please only carry out the practical in a room with windows that is well ventilated. The lesson starts with a recap of cracking - this is taught previously in my scheme of work. It then moves on to alkene formulae. The students then carry out the alkenes and bromine water practical. They then write word and symbol equation for the tests. More able students can identify the functional groups in the molecules. The lesson finishes with a fun plenary using whiteboards. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Infrared spectroscopy AS level chemistry
rs007rs007

Infrared spectroscopy AS level chemistry

(0)
This is a lesson graded C to A on infrared spectroscopy. Expected prior learning is functional groups and how to draw organic molecules such as carboxylic acids. Students could write on the laminated sheets using whiteboard pens. The lesson provides extensive differentiation. The starter is a crossword created using a program on The Teachers Corner and IR data used is from the NIST Chemistry WebBook. Both of these resources are referenced at the beginning of the lesson. A data sheet needs to be provided as this is a lesson that uses the Edexcel GCE Chemistry data book. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Enthalpy change of combustion - predicting using bond enthalpies and practical
rs007rs007

Enthalpy change of combustion - predicting using bond enthalpies and practical

(0)
This is a lesson in the third lesson in a scheme of work on energetics for the first year of A level chemistry. Students use bond enthalpy data (required learning) to predict the enthalpy of combustion of methanol, ethanol and propan-1-ol. Please check that you have these chemicals available for practical use. Students carry out a calorimetry practical and then calculate the enthalpy change of combustion (covered in a lesson on Q = mc delta T - see my other resources). It is suggested that each pair of students use a different chemical and carry out repeat experiments in order to work out an average value. Different groups then share their results. Students compare their theoretical values with actual values and come up with reasons as to why these values differ. Praise may given to groups that take care to reduce error in their experimentation and produce actual values that are close to the predicted values. There are homework questions that can be e-mailed to the students as a PowerPoint. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Key Stage 3 and lower school Chemistry revision
rs007rs007

Key Stage 3 and lower school Chemistry revision

(0)
This is a comprehensive set of information worksheets for revising Key Stage 3 and lower school Chemistry. It covers these topics: atoms and elements, periodic table, compounds, metals and non-metals, mixtures, solutions, acids and alkalis, physical changes, chemical changes, filtration, distillation, chromatography, structure of the Earth, composition of the atmosphere and the rock cycle. There is a simplified version of the periodic table that I have created. The pages are scaled to fit A4 paper.
Progress check sheet for students - A level
rs007rs007

Progress check sheet for students - A level

(1)
This document helps students and teachers track progress in A level chemistry (OCR A specification). It can easily be modified for any exam board or subject and would work well at KS4. Students record their progress on assessed homework and tests. There is space for teacher and student feedback.The 'medal&' and &';mission' comments are completed by the teacher. There is space to record intervention strategies for a particular module. For homework a percentage correct score is worked out and a grade given as follows: 60% = C, 70% = B, 80% = A. Feedback to my TES inbox.
Fermentation GCSE chemistry - covers symbol equations and the two methods of making ethanol
rs007rs007

Fermentation GCSE chemistry - covers symbol equations and the two methods of making ethanol

(0)
This is a thoroughly planned lesson on the production of ethanol by fermentation of glucose and hydration of ethene. It has differentiated resources and a variety of activities and exam question plenaries to check student understanding. There is an optional production of ethanol practical that could be included in this lesson or as a separate lesson. Students start by recalling the formulae for different substances then learn the symbol equations for the two methods of ethanol production. They then carry out a literacy activity where they sort the advantages and disadvantages of each method of ethanol production. The lesson concludes with an exam question plenary. The practical could be included before comparing the advantages and disadvantages of hydration versus fermentation. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Polar covalent bonding lesson - A level chemistry - covers polarity, covalent vs ionic bonding
rs007rs007

Polar covalent bonding lesson - A level chemistry - covers polarity, covalent vs ionic bonding

(0)
This is a comprehensive set of differentiated lesson resources that cover polar covalent bonding. Within the lesson are Pauling electronegativity values that can be used to determine the extent of covalent bonding between two atoms. The lesson begins with a recap of ionic and covalent bonding definitions from GCSE. There is then a discussion on electronegativity differences between atoms. Students then carry out the kinesthetic task where put different comments about bonding on a scale from pure covalent to pure ionic. This scale can be printed on A3 paper. The comments can be printed on A4 paper. There is then a peer editing question task and plenary exam questions with markschemes. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.
Atomic theory GCSE - outstanding lesson
rs007rs007

Atomic theory GCSE - outstanding lesson

(0)
This is a comprehensive lesson on atomic theory designed for the AQA GCSE specification. The starter is a recap crossword on atomic structure (assumed knowledge). The lesson then takes a chronological journey from the ancient Greeks to alchemy to the Enlightenment and then the 1800s/ early 1900s where Rutherford et al developed the modern model of the atom. The theory activity works really well with all ability and shows that there is little or no evidence to support the early cubic model but there lots of evidence to support the GCSE Bohr model. The lesson finishes with a 6 mark question that is peer marked using a marking grid. Please rate this resource and leave feedback.