How to Teach Chemistry to Young Learners?

Mohammad Abdul Halim
Assistant Professor
Kennesaw State University

The very first thing we need to consider when teaching chemistry is to strengthen our relationship with the “alphabet” (names of elements) and the “words” (chemical symbols) of chemistry. Just as no language can be learned without the alphabet and words, in the same way, to learn chemistry, it is essential first to learn the alphabet and words of both inorganic and organic chemistry. In inorganic chemistry, it is important to know the names of elements and their charged states. In the case of organic chemistry, learning the names of the basic compounds comes first. Knowing the “names” is crucial at the very beginning of acquiring any knowledge.

At the very start of teaching chemistry, students of grades nine, ten, eleven, and twelve should be introduced according to their level to the names of elements and their charged states for inorganic chemistry, and to the names of basic compounds (such as methanol, ethanol, propanol) for organic chemistry. When teaching, one should assume the students have no prior knowledge of chemistry.

In my own experience teaching chemistry, during the first few weeks, I would teach students just the charged states and symbols of the elements, and the names of the basic organic compounds, and I would conduct multiple tests on those topics. The students who did well in the tests on symbols and the names of basic organic compounds never found learning chemistry intimidating. After teaching the symbols and the names of organic compounds, I would teach them chemical reactions. I condensed all inorganic and organic reactions into a few rules. Once I taught those rules and their applications, chemistry became much easier for them. I did not believe in just teaching and letting the students go; in every class, I would ensure they truly learned the material. After finishing the reactions, I would then narrate stories related to the topics in each chapter.

The foundation of this teaching method was my mentor, Syed Waliur Haque; I have not seen a chemistry teacher of higher caliber than him in Bangladesh.

Note: Collected from Facebook:——–
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