Explore ideas for pedagogy, student engagement, assessment, classroom culture, and instructional practices that help students build deeper understanding and confidence in chemistry.
Picture this: you spend your planning period and possibly time after hours setting up a lab. You have prepared solutions, labeled chemicals, set out glassware, printed lab sheets, etc. all after testing the lab beforehand of course. Essentially you’ve spent time mentally preparing for controlled chaos—only to hear a student say the day after, “Did…
No matter how carefully a lab is prepared, chemistry experiments occasionally fail. Reactions stall, expected observations never appear, and suddenly the class is trying to figure out what went wrong. Failed chemistry experiments can feel stressful and frustrating, especially when class time, materials, and prep are involved. But here’s the good news: a failed lab…
There’s nothing more aggravating as a Chemistry teacher than planning an awesome lab… and having the reaction flop. You’ve spent time prepping materials, reviewing safety procedures, and building excitement. Students are ready. Goggles are on. You give the signal—and then… nothing. No color change. No bubbles. No reaction. Just 25 pairs of eyes staring at…
There’s a quote by Haim Ginott that says: “I have come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.” And it’s true. As educators, we set the tone. We shape the environment. We influence whether learning happens. The weight of that responsibility is something you can study, discuss, and analyze……
As chemistry teachers, we know math isn’t just a side skill — it’s the backbone of pretty much everything we do. From balancing redox reactions to calculating molar mass or pH, math gives chemistry its structure and precision. So, what happens when students come into chemistry class without those math foundations? Lately, that’s becoming the…
As summer winds down, it’s time to shift gears and prepare for the upcoming school year. For high school chemistry teachers, especially those new to the classroom, the start of the year can be both exciting and overwhelming. Proper planning and preparation during the summer can set the stage for a successful and smooth school…
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