Top 5 Resources I Wish I Had My First Year Teaching Chemistry
Whether you’re brand new to the Chemistry classroom or just looking to refresh your go-to tools, here are the top 5 resources I still use today—and genuinely wish I had back on day one.
These resources have helped me save time, keep students engaged, and simplify tricky concepts—and I hope they’ll do the same for you.
🔬 1. Flinn Scientific’s Chemistry POGIL Book (~$65)
POGIL stands for Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning, and these lessons are perfect for introducing new content after a brief lecture. Students work in small groups to explore models, analyze patterns, and deepen their understanding, with less teacher talk and more student thinking. I love how these naturally build student collaboration and critical thinking.
🔬 2. Teacher-Friendly Chemistry Labs and Activities by Deanna York (~$23 on Amazon)
This spiral-bound gem includes quick, simple labs—each one fits on a single page with a quiz and teacher notes included. These are perfect for Chemistry I or when you’re short on prep time. I used them as my core labs when I first started teaching and still pull them out when I need something easy but effective.
🔬 3. Tyler DeWitt’s YouTube Channel (Free)
Tyler DeWitt breaks things down in a way that feels casual and clear—his explanations are straightforward, student-friendly, and surprisingly engaging. While he doesn’t cover every topic, what he does cover, he does really well. Bonus: his teaching style aligns with how I naturally explain things, so it’s an easy supplement.
🔬 4. Chemistry, Grades 9–12 (The 100+ Series) by Joan Distasio (~$17 on Amazon)
This book is full of Chemistry worksheets with answer keys—no extra fluff, just quick printable practice. Great for sub days, homework, or building confidence with procedural skills.
🔬 5. Guided Inquiry with Manipulatives by Shari Kendrick ($4–$5 per activity on TPT)
Sold under the TPT store “Kendo’s Chemistry,” these hands-on activities are so worth the prep. Yes, you’ll be printing and laminating, but I reuse them year after year. They’re great for stations or interactive review—and they’re especially helpful for students who benefit from visual or tactile learning strategies.
⭐ Honorable Mentions
- Flinn ChemTopic™ Lab Series: There are over 18 themed books filled with labs, demos, and student activities. I use these more with Honors and AP students since they’re more complex and equipment-heavy.
- It’s Not Rocket Science Full-Year Chemistry Curriculum: I haven’t personally used this full-year bundle, but a new Chemistry teacher I mentor (and former student of mine!) swears by it. It includes PowerPoints, worksheets, assessments, and labs. As of now, it’s $365 on TPT—but if you wait for a sale, you can usually snag it for much less.
🎉 What I’m Creating for My Own Classroom
In recent years, I’ve started designing my own resources—from worksheets and Google Slide decks to guided inquiry activities—based on what actually works with my students. I love it when my students try to Google the answers and realize… nope, this one’s original. 😄
If you’re looking for editable resources, answer-keyed worksheets, or done-for-you lab day materials, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Chem’s Chemistry Classroom.
And if you’re craving more support—from help managing labs to organizing content and planning your year—I also offer:
- 💡 1:1 Coaching for Chemistry Teachers
- 🧪 The Confident Chem Lab Membership (monthly labs, demos, and teacher support)
- 📅 Digital tools for pacing, planning, and classroom systems
You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re curious, feel free to reach out or explore more here on the site.
Thanks again for reading—and happy teaching!
I’d love to hear what your go-to Chemistry resources are. Leave a comment or send me a message with your favorites!
P.S. Are you thinking about how your classroom will run this fall? Check out how I use student jobs in this blog post, Class Jobs: Set Yourself (and Your Students) Up for Success.
