Episode 20- Inside the Unit: Chemical Nomenclature

🧪 Ep. 20 – Inside the Unit: Chemical Nomenclature Episode I

In this episode of The Confident Chemistry Teacher Podcast, I’m walking you through how I teach one of the foundational chemistry skills—chemical nomenclature. You’ll hear how I structure the unit, keep students engaged, and help them build confidence while naming and writing chemical formulas.

Key Takeaways

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Determine when to teach nomenclature in relation to bonding

• Use bonding types to scaffold naming conventions

• Help students understand ionic vs. covalent (molecular) formulas

• Incorporate practice, movement, and humor to boost retention

• Simplify acid naming and choose what’s worth assessing

Activities / Labs Featured

• PBS Ionic Bonding Tutorial – Simple, visual simulation that helps students conceptualize ionic bonding.

• PBS Covalent Bonding Tutorial – Companion activity for understanding molecular bonding.

• Science Spot “Bond with a Partner” Cards  – Hands-on pairing activity using laminated ion cards to build formulas.

• Quiz-Quiz-Trade Cards – Peer-to-peer naming & formula practice with movement and repetition.

• Whiteboarding Practice – Whole-class and partner work reinforcing compound types and naming steps.

Standards Connections Performance Expectations:

HS-PS1-2: Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms. Science & Engineering

Practices:

• Analyzing and interpreting data

• Developing and using models

• Asking questions Crosscutting Concepts:

• Patterns (identifying ionic vs covalent naming structures)

• Structure and function (relationship between atomic structure & bonding behavior)

🎁 Free Resources

PBS Interactive Ionic & Covalent Bonding Worksheets – Perfect scaffolding for introducing bonding types before naming.

Heads up — I didn’t create the PBS resources, so they’re a little plain. When I make something for TPT, trust me — it gets a full glow-up.

PBS Ionic Bonding Tutorial 👉https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dvrn6fgvqFzggFO_f-wCk4D6HO1SoMm4jlVTlKLaG_4/copy

PBS Molecular Bonding Tutorial

👉https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QhFUbaCSCGm9OaPg7nfU2jAy3IRJZElonNgDH18GMAg/copy

🧪 TPT Resources

Chemical Nomenclature Presentation- Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Google slides, prerequisite worksheet, ion card activity, and instructional videos

👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chemical-Nomenclature-Presentation-Ionic-and-Molecular-Compounds-13254935

Ionic Nomenclature Worksheets & Quizzes (Naming & Formula Writing)

👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ionic-Nomenclature-Worksheets-Quizzes-Naming-Formula-Writing-13263301

Molecular Nomenclature Worksheets & Quizzes  

👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Molecular-Nomenclature-Worksheets-Quizzes-Naming-and-Formula-Writing-13272491

Mixed Ionic and Covalent Nomenclature Worksheets and Quizzes 

👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mixed-Ionic-and-Covalent-Nomenclature-Worksheets-and-Quizzes-13362589

Next Episode Teaser

Next time, I’ll be sharing how I help students review for tests, quizzes, and end-of-semester exams—especially timely as finals approach!

For more information or to join the Confident Teacher community, check out:

Website: chemschemistryclassroom.com

Facebook Group: The Confident Chemistry Teacher Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/767528946010479/

TPT Store: Chem’s Chemistry Classroom

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/chems-chemistry-classroom