This is one for the scientists.. I haven't been teaching long. But any chemistry teacher worth their salt has taught GCSE bonding a shed load of times. The first time I was observed by my University tutor during my PGCE... Continue Reading →
All the cool kids seem to be making knowledge organisers. So I thought I would have a crack at making one myself. The idea for knowledge organisers started with Joe Kirby's blog on the topic (Olivia Dyer's science ones can... Continue Reading →
I like to tell my students stories from the history of science. Not because they mysteriously boost student engagement. Not even because stories are "psychologically privileged" and might lead to greater retention. I tell them simply because I, presumably like... Continue Reading →
So till now I've been talking about in a very general, philosophical sense about practicals. I've just started at a new school where there are only two A-Level chemistry teachers; myself and the head of department (who is also new).... Continue Reading →
I want to open my conclusion by thanking those who have given me valuable feedback and further reading over the last couple of weeks. I never meant to imply that these blogs were somehow the last word, or that my... Continue Reading →
I have a pet hate. In truth I have quite a few pet hates but this one is a biggy. I hate it, I really hate it, when people who aren't teachers tell us what we need to teach, and how... Continue Reading →
Mary is the most gifted student a science teacher could hope for. She laps up any and all information given to her, with her specialist field being the electromagnetic spectrum, colour, and the way humans perceive different wavelengths of light.... Continue Reading →
"Are we doing a practical today sir?" Said every student ever. No doubt many of my colleagues will have been asked the same question many times before. Funnily, no student ever asks "are we going to be learning about how... Continue Reading →
My posts yesterday were the first time I had tried to expose my ideas to people other than direct colleagues and friends. I got a lot of feedback and the vast majority of it was well expressed and helpful. It... Continue Reading →
A Chemical Orthodoxy 