Ms. Dulay has not taught Grade 10 or senior chemistry because she is a senior biology teacher. For Grade 8 and 9 chemistry, one big skill is using models to represent things, because a big topic is atoms and compounds. Bohr models and other models show the parts and how they combine or separate. Another skill is identifying different types of matter, such as elements versus compounds, and how these appear in the world around us. Chemistry relates a lot to the real world. Atoms are the smallest unit of matter and make up everything. Atoms make up compounds and mixtures. Everything seen and how things interact, like reactions, are based on chemistry. For example, a concrete bridge gets bigger in the summer and smaller in the winter because particles act differently at different temperatures. One project involved researching one element. Students made a cube showing the history of that element, its properties, how it is used, and Bohr models of that element. There are many jobs that use science, including the medical field, research, and teaching. Many universities look for science courses up to Grade 11. Skills like asking questions, using the scientific method, and making organized reports can be used in any subject. In Science 9, a challenging topic is naming different types of compounds. Some students find it hard to differentiate between compound types. A helpful strategy is using a table so students first identify what type of compound it is. Her teaching style includes using interesting examples to help students connect classroom learning to the real world. She gives homework because it is good practice and students need practice to be prepared. Students like the chemistry labs because they get to mix compounds, wear lab coats and goggles, and see chemical or physical changes. Class sizes are usually in the high 20s. In the lab, students must wear a buttoned lab coat, goggles, tied hair if longer than shoulder length, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. A common misconception is that chemistry will involve explosions and big reactions, but it does not.