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 

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 

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

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

What is Kahoot!?

Kahoot! gives you an option to engage your students in highly addictive quizzes and learn at the same time. Students absolutely love the competitive aspect of those quizzes. As a teacher, I really like the fact that I can either create my own quiz or browse through the database of thousands of quizzes created by others. Another interesting feature is the option of creating a report which shows you in detail how well your students performed and what are the areas that still need work.

Click here to access my easy Kahoot! quiz on components in electrical circuits.

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