Quizlet

I really like a good quiz. It's a great opportunity to mix learning and fun. One of the apps I enjoy using is Quizlet. It has an extensive database of study sets created by other uses but it also allows you to create your own sets.

 Below are some of the ways I use Quizlet.

1) Test key vocabulary
Use Quizlet Live to check the understanding of key terminology. Your students will work in groups and match key words with their definitions.

2) Use TEST option
Once you are done creating your study set, the test option will create a multiple choice test for your students to try.

3) Flashcards
This is a great revision tool. Ask your students to create their own revision cards as a part of end of unit test preparation.

There are many other options on Quizlet for you to choose from. The above work best for me at the moment.

Have a go with your students:

Chapter 8 Acids and Bases (IB Chemistry) - click here

Cells (MYP Science) - Click here

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina 

Let YouTube help you teach Science #16

Naming compounds often proves to be difficult to students. This, however, is an important skill and as chemistry teachers we have to ensure that this is done. Today's video will help your students master naming compounds that end with -ide -ite and -ate.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #15

You will cover VSEPR with your IB students in chapter 4. This video will help them visualise the geometry of different molecules. It's good to pair up watching the video with showing models of the molecules. This will help those students, who might struggle with 3D animations and are more kinesthetic learners.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #14

Titrations often cause issues and students find them difficult. With a little practice and time, I'm sure everybody can master this experiment. To help you out, here's a brilliant step-by-step video done by the Royal Society of Chemistry:

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Tests for cations and anions

I recently created a set of matching cards for a student who was struggling with answering exam questions on tests for anions and cations (click here to download). I´m also going to use them during revision lessons with GCSE students.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina


Where can you use this resource?

Source: Cambridge iGCSE Combined Science Specification, p. 31

Source: Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry (9-1) Specification, p.20

Source: OCR GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Chemistry A Specification, page 36

Source: Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Chemistry Specification, p.36

Brilliant display materials

If you are looking for new display materials,  make sure to visit Compound Interest website. Here you can find phenomenal graphics which can be used to decorate your classroom. Another use of these is directly in your lessons, e.g. as revision materials. The range is superb and can be used easily with KS3 all the way to KS5 students. Below are some examples.

 

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina 

Spectroscopy in a suitcase

If you are based in the UK or Ireland, I highly recommend checking out Spectroscopy in a Suitcase workshop from the Royal Society of Chemistry. It´s an excellent opportunity for the students to use a spectrometer and learn more about its use.

You can ask for the workshop to be tailored to your students´needs and abilities. I had sessions with my very able Y9 pupils as well as A level students.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Water density

A few years ago I came across an article in the Catalyst magazine called "Water in the oceans". Apart from discussing whether or not salty water in the oceans would mix, it had a simple experiment which explored water density.

Start with two cups of water. In one, make a saturated solution salt solution and add food colouring of your choice. To the second cup of water just add different food colouring. Once done, try mixing the two together and you will get two distinctive layers.

This is a great experiment to use in a lesson on density. Super easy and cheap to prepare.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Chemical magic

If you need to run an open evening and showcase your department it´s good to have a selection of experiments and demos that will leave the audience speechless. I have already discussed the classic ammonium dichromate volcano (click here) and today I would like to share some chemical magic. This simple to set up experiment when paired up with a bit of acting can easily surprise your audience as you turn water into wine:

Then wine into water:

and lastly water into milk:

I tested it in beakers but for your "official" demo I suggest following the instructions and use wine glasses and a glass milk bottle.

If not used as a demo, you could use it in your lessons to discuss phenolphthalein as a narrow range indicator. Furthermore, it could be used in precipitation reactions lesson.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Royal Society of Chemistry - Periodic Table

It goes without saying that the periodic table is one of the most recognizable tools used by scientists. Every science student is going to use it in their lessons. A great tool that can be used across all ages is the Periodic Table from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

This versatile tool is available on the website as well as an app. It´s engaging and interactive and contains many useful features: data trends across the periodic table (electronegativity, density, melting point etc.), history, podcasts and many more. Most importantly, it´s easy to use so all students will be able to access it.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina   

Microscale precipitation reactions

Students love doing experiments. However, they often tend to waste a lot of reagents. A good way of teaching them to be less wasteful is through microscale chemistry. Here is an example of the worksheet I designed to teach my students to be more conscious of the amounts of chemicals they are using:

 

In this experiment students conduct 5 precipitation reactions and use 2-3 drops of each reagent. The worksheet is laminated and a paper towel is used to clean up afterwards. Once prepared it will last a long time.

Click here to download the worksheet.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Edexcel 6 marker chemistry questions

For some students 6 marker questions are a real nightmare and they tend to ignore them during exams. With a bit of regular practice it is easy to develop skills which will allow the pupils to tackle those questions. I went through 3 years of Edexcel Chemistry GCSE papers and put together a document with all the 6 marker questions. I referenced each paper so you can easily find the right mark scheme. These questions can be used as homework tasks, extension tasks and with the mark scheme for peer assessment. The document consists both foundation and higher questions.


Click here to download a set of 6 marker questions.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #7

I think every single chemistry teacher has done the ammonium dichromate volcano at least once in their career. It's a show stopper at open evenings and the audience is always wowed by it. I came across this great video from the Royal Society of Chemistry showing a different way of doing this experiment which allows you to clean afterwards much easily. All is also done according to the guidance from CLEAPSS.

Which topic/s could you use this video with?
- chemical vs. physical change
- exothermic reactions
- oxidation states

Key words: ammonium dichromate (VI), disposal, safety

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Book of Achievements for KS3 Science Club

Science Club is for me a place where the students have an opportunity to conduct experiments they wouldn´t normally have a chance to do. It´s an opportunity to further deepen their curiosity and develop lab skills. I created the Book of Achievements to teach my students organisational skills and show them how much they can do. The list of "achievements" to complete is a great starting point to create independent learners who know how to plan.

The reward system is flexible and can easily reflect whatever your school is doing - merits, stickers, postcards home etc.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Dowload the Book of Achievements - click here

KS3 Science Club - Scheme of Work

I have been running after school clubs since I started working as a teacher. I really enjoy the freedom a science club can give you to try experiments that you wouldn't normally have time to do in a lesson. One of the restrains that I had to face, however, was the issue of money to buy the resources I needed. This I managed to overcome by applying for grants and getting free resources (I mentioned some of the places here). After testing a wide range of experiments and getting feedback from my students, I put together this KS3 Science Club Scheme of Work, which I hope is going to be useful for your students too.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #5

Today I would like to share a fantastic demo which you can use in your classroom or as a part of an open evening.

The rainbow flame demonstration is easy to set up and gives you an opportunity to have a great show stopper.

Which topic/s could you use this demo with?
- alternative to the flame test
- transition metals

Key words:
- emission spectrum, metal ions, safety, transition metals

Click here to get more information.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Where to find free resources?

If you are working in a school which provides you with every single resource you ask for, you're in heaven! The reality is, however, that such schools are very rare to find. So, what to do when you want to inspire your students but you are struggling to get resources? Here are some of the places I came across over the years that can support you on your journey.

1. The Crunch Kit (Wellcome Trust)

If you are working in the UK you can get your hands on 2 different kits. These are tailored for  primary and secondary students. Each kit consists of superbly prepared experiments together with all the equipment you need to deliver it.


2. STEM Learning resources

This is a collection of various resources focused around STEM. You can easily find here materials suitable for your students. These can be used both in a classroom setting as well as in an after school club.

3. DIY experiments from STEM Newcastle

This is an amazing collection of experiments perfect for the use in a Science club. Instructions are clearly laid out with numerous pictures and drawings to aid understanding.

4. School Science list

Here you can find a list of 30+ websites which offer free resources.

5. TES resources

Times Educational Supplement is a goldmine for resources. You can find absolutely everything there from worksheets through lesson plans and power points and schemes of work. I started uploading my resources there as well so click here to see what´s available (more to come!).

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #3

I really like introducing Science concepts to my students using demos and experiments they can later do at home. This really ensures that the pupils are interested in the subject and maintains their curiosity. Furthermore, if students decide to conduct the experiment at home, it helps to develop their dexterity and lab skills. Here's a simple experiment you can introduce your students to:

Which topics could you use this video with?
- How does soap work?
- How does washing up liquid work?
- Hydrolysis of fats
- Saponification
- Science Club experiment

Key words: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, saponification, soap molecule

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Separation techniques summary table

Both KS3 and KS4 students have to learn about different separation techniques. It's a great unit which allows a few hands-on practicals. Once the unit is done, I like to give my students a simple homework task which allows them to consolidate gained knowledge. It's a summary table which you can download directly from my TES profile (KS3 and KS4).

KS3 table includes filtration, evaporation, chromatography and simple distillation. I differentiated the table by including labelled diagrams for those students who are less able. For KS4 students, I also added decantation. I found this resource to be an effective tool for revision and at the same time it allows me to teach my students how to use tables for revision. Also, because the space in the table is restricted, they are forced to include only the most essential information and write in a note form which is a great exam technique.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #1

YouTube is a great platform where you can find loads of interesting educational videos. These can become extremely useful to help students visualise complex concepts, revise material learnt and just simply enjoy Science. Here's the first installment of a series I'm going to call Let YouTube help you teach Science. 

Which topics could you use this video with?

- alkali metals
- properties of group 1 metals
- reactivity series
- reactions: alkali metals + water as well as alkali metals + oxygen
- safety precautions during experiments

Key words: alkali metals, corrosion, metallic lustre, lilac flame, vigorous reaction, safety screen

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina