A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
This engaging and fully-resourced lesson looks at the effects of stabilising, directional and disruptive selection as the three main types of selection. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 17.2 (b) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification which states that students should be able to identify each type of selection by its effect on different phenotypes.
The lesson begins with an introduction to the mark, release, recapture method to calculate numbers of rabbits with different coloured fur in a particular habitat. This method is covered later in topic 18 so this section of the lesson is designed purely to generate changes in numbers of the organisms. Sketch graphs are then constructed to show the changes in the population size in this example. A quick quiz competition is used to engage the students whilst introducing the names of the three main types of selection before a class discussion point encourages the students to recognise which specific type of selection is represented by the rabbits. Key terminology including intermediate and extreme phenotypes and selection pressure are used to emphasise their importance during explanations. A change in the environment of the habitat and a change in the numbers of the rabbits introduces directional selection before students will be given time to discuss and to predict the shape of the sketch graph for disruptive selection. Students are challenged to apply their knowledge in the final task of the lesson by choosing the correct type of selection when presented with details of a population and answer related questions.
This fully-resourced lesson looks at the internal and external structure of the mammalian heart and uses the human heart to represent this anatomy. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 3.1.2 (e) (i) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification
As this topic was covered at GCSE, the lesson has been planned to build on this prior knowledge whilst adding the key details which will enable students to provide A-level standard answers. The primary focus is the identification of the different structures of the heart but it also challenges their ability to recognise the important relationship to function. For example, time is taken to ensure that students can explain why the atrial walls are thinner than the ventricular walls and why the right ventricle has a thinner wall than the left ventricle. Opportunities are taken throughout the lesson to link this topic to the others found in topic 3.1.2 including those which have already been covered like circulatory systems as well as those which are upcoming such as the initiation of heart action. There is also an application question where students have to explain why a hole in the ventricular septum would need to be repaired if it doesn’t naturally close over time.
This detailed and fully-resourced lesson describes and explains the pressure changes in the heart and arteries and the role of the valves movements in the cardiac cycle. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 3.1.2 (f) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and also covers the use of the equation stroke volume x heart rate to calculate cardiac output
The start of the lesson introduces the cardiac cycle as well as the key term systole, so that students can immediately recognise that the three stages of the cycle are atrial and ventricular systole followed by diastole. Students are challenged on their prior knowledge of the structure of the heart as they have to name and state the function of an atrioventricular and semi-lunar valve from an internal diagram. This leads into the key point that pressure changes in the chambers and the major arteries results in the opening and closing of these sets of valves. Students are given a description of the pressure change that results in the opening of the AV valves and shown where this would be found on the graph detailing the pressure changes of the cardiac cycle. They then have to use this as a guide to write descriptions for the closing of the AV valve and the opening and closing of the semi-lunar valves and to locate these on the graph. By providing the students with this graph, the next part of the lesson can focus on explaining how these changes come about. Students have to use their current and prior knowledge of the chambers and blood vessels to write 4 descriptions that cover the cardiac cycle. Moving forwards, the students are introduced to the stroke volume and meet normative values for this and for resting heart rate. This will lead into the calculation for cardiac output and a series of questions are used to test their ability to apply this equation as well as to calculate the percentage change which is a commonly assessed mathematical skill.
This lesson has been written to tie in with the other uploaded lessons on the topics detailed in module 3.1.2 (Transport in animals)
This fully-resourced REVISION lesson has been written to challenge the students on their knowledge of the content of topic 8 (Transport in mammals) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources will motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content and identify any areas which may require further attention.
The wide range of activities have been written to cover as much of the topic as possible but the following specification points have been given particular focus:
The significance of the oxygen dissociation curves at different concentrations of carbon dioxide (The Bohr effect)
The role of haemoglobin in carrying oxygen
The role of haemoglobin in carrying carbon dioxide
Draw the structures of red blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes
The relationship between the structure and function of a capillary
The internal structure of the heart and its associated blood vessels
Explain how heart action is initiated and controlled
The pressure changes of the cardiac cycle
The relationship between the structure and function of arteries and veins
The double, closed circulatory system of a mammal
Quiz rounds such as “Does this FLOW correctly” and “YOU DO THE MATH” are used to test the students on the finer details of their knowledge of the blood vessels and numerical facts
Each of the 7 lessons in this bundle are fully-resourced and have been designed to cover the content as detailed in topic 3.4.1 (Mass transport in animals) of the AQA A-Level Biology specification. The specification points that are covered within these lessons include:
Haemoglobin and the role in the transport of oxygen
The effects of carbon dioxide concentration on the dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin
The general pattern of blood circulation in a mammal
The gross structure of the human heart
The calculation of cardiac output
Pressure and volume changes and valve movements during the cardiac cycle
The structure and function of arteries, arterioles and veins
The formation of tissue fluid
The lessons have been written to include a wide range of activities and numerous understanding and prior knowledge checks so students can assess their progress against the current topic as well as be challenged to make links to other topics within this topic and earlier topics
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the blood vessels and the formation of tissue fluid lessons as these are free
This fully-resourced REVISION lesson has been written to challenge the students on their knowledge of the content of topic 6 (Magnetism and electromagnetism) of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics specification. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources will motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content and identify any areas which may require further attention.
The wide range of activities have been written to cover as much of the topic as possible but the following specification points have been given particular focus:
Magnets attract and repel other magnets and attract magnetic materials
Magnetism is induced in some materials when they are placed in a magnetic field
The construction of an electromagnet
Use of the left-hand rule to predict the direction of the resulting force in a motor
How the motor effect is applied in a loudspeaker
The structure and function of a transformer
Know and use the relationship between input and output voltages and the turns ratio
Know and use the relationship between input and output power for 100% efficient transformer
Explain the use of a step-up transformer in the transmission of electrical energy
Quiz rounds such as “THE BIG REVEAL” and “WHAT EXACTLY AM I” are used to test the students on their knowledge of key terms and structures and all of the tasks are differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work
This fully-resourced revision lesson challenges the students on their knowledge of the content detailed in topic 3 (Particle model of matter) of the AQA GCSE Physics specification. The wide range of activities which include exam questions with clear explanations will allow them to assess their understanding of the content and to recognise those areas which require further attention.
The lesson has been designed to cover as much of the topic as possible but the following specification points have been given particular attention:
Recall and apply the equation to calculate density
Explaining differences in density between states of matter
Internal energy and the result of heating the particles in a system
Applying the equation to calculate the specific heat capacity
Understanding that temperature does not change during changes of state
Applying the equation to calculate the specific latent heat
Explaining the qualitative relationship between the temperature of a gas and its pressure
Applying the equation that links pressure, volume and a constant
The engaging PowerPoint guides students on the use of key mathematical skills to aid success with the various calculations
This fully-resourced revision lesson challenges the students on their knowledge of the content detailed in topic 1 (Matter) of the OCR GCSE Physics specification. The wide range of activities, which include exam questions with clear explanations, will allow them to assess their understanding of the content and to recognise those areas which require further attention.
The lesson has been designed to cover as much of the module as possible but the following specification points have been given particular attention:
Recall and apply the equation to calculate density
Describe how and why the atomic model has changed over time
Describe the atom and recall the typical size
Explain the difference in density between different states of matter
Describe how mass is conserved when physical changes occur
Describe how physical changes differ from chemical changes
Define the term specific heat capacity and distinguish between that and specific latent heat
Applying the equation to calculate the specific heat capacity
Understanding that temperature does not change during changes of state
Applying the equation to calculate the specific latent heat
Explaining the qualitative relationship between the temperature of a gas and its pressure
Applying the equation that links pressure, volume and a constant
Explain how doing work on a gas can increase its temperature
Explain why pressure in a liquid varies with depth
Most of the resources are differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work and be challenged and the PowerPoint guides the students through the range of mathematical skills which are tested in this module
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that has been written to include a wide range of activities that challenge the students on their knowledge of astrophysics as detailed in topic 8 of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics specification. The numerous quiz rounds which include “Shine a LIGHT on any ERRORS” will engage and motivate their students whilst they assess their understanding of the content and recognise any areas that require further attention.
The lesson has been designed to include as many of the specification points as possible but the following have been given particular attention:
Understanding of the terms Solar system, galaxy and universe
Gravitational field strength varies on different planets
Gravitational force causes the Moon to orbit the Earth and the planets to orbit the Sun
Use the relationship between orbital speed, orbital radius and time period
Evolution of stars of a similar mass to our Sun and of stars with larger masses
The evidence that supports the Big Bang theory
The change in the frequency and wavelength of a wave if the source of the wave is moving in relation to the observer
Red-shift as evidence of an expanding universe
This topic contains a number of principles or theories which can be poorly understood by students so extra time has been taken to guide them in the formation of descriptions and explanations.
This bundle of fully-resourced revision lessons will engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topics 1 - 4 of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics specification.
The lessons cover the following topics:
Topic 1: Forces and motion
Topic 2: Electricity
Topic 3: Waves
Topic 4: Energy resources and energy transfers
The detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain exam-style questions with clear explanations of answers, differentiated tasks, class discussions and quiz competitions.
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the topic 1 revision lesson which is shared for free
This bundle of fully-resourced revision lessons will engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topics 1 - 4 of the AQA GCSE Physics specification as assessed in PAPER 1.
The lessons cover the following topics:
Topic 1: Energy
Topic 2: Electricity
Topic 3: Particle model of matter
Topic 4: Atomic structure
The detailed PowerPoints and accompanying resources contain exam-style questions with clear explanations of answers, differentiated tasks, class discussions and quiz competitions.
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the topic 1 revision lesson which has been shared for free
This bundle of fully-resourced revision lessons will engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topics 5 - 8 of the AQA GCSE Physics specification as assessed in PAPER 2.
The lessons cover the following topics:
Topic 5: Forces
Topic 6: Waves
Topic 7: Magnetism and electromagnetism
Topic 8: Space physics
The detailed PowerPoints and accompanying resources contain exam-style questions with clear explanations of answers, differentiated tasks, class discussions and quiz competitions.
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the topic 5 revision lesson which has been shared for free
This revision lesson has been filled with activities that will challenge the students on their knowledge and understanding of the content detailed in topic 9 of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics specification. The wide range of activities in the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources will check on the knowledge of the forces and their effects topic and allow the students to recognise those areas which need further attention before the mock or terminal GCSE exams.
This resource has been designed to cover as much of topic 9 as possible but the following points have received particular attention:
What happens when objects can interact at a distance without contact
What happens when objects can interact by contact
Explain the difference between vector and scalar quantities using examples
Draw free body diagrams
Recall and use the equation to calculate the moment of a force
Recall and use the principle of moments in situations where rotational forces are in equilibrium
Explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer through lubrication
The main task of the lesson which challenges students to use the principle of moments has been differentiated so that differing abilities can access the work
This fully-resourced revision lesson has been written to cover the major details of the electricity and circuits topic that can be assessed in the GCSE Physics and Combined Science (HT) exams. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain a wide range of activities which include exam-style questions with clearly explained answers, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their understanding and to ultimately recognise those areas which need further consideration.
The following points are covered in this revision lesson:
The electrical symbols that represent the electrical components
Describe the differences between series and parallel circuits
Recall that a voltmeter is connected in parallel
One volt is equal to one joule per coulomb
Recall and use the equations that calculate energy transferred, charge, potential difference, power and electrical power
Recall that an ammeter is connected in series
Calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series and parallel circuits
Explain how current varies with potential difference in resistors
Know the functions of the wires in a plug and the safety features
The main task of the lesson, which challenges the students to calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series and parallel circuits, is differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work
This revision lesson is fully-resourced and has been written to allow students to assess their understanding of the content detailed in topic 15 (Forces and matter) of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics specification. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint uses a wide range of activities, which includes exam-style questions with clear explanations of the answers, to enable the students to identify those areas which require further attention before the mock or terminal examinations.
The lesson was designed to cover as much of the topic as possible but the following points have received particular attention:
The difference between elastic and inelastic distortion
Recall and use the equation for linear elastic distortion
Use the equation to calculate the work done in stretching
Describe the relationship between force and extension
Recall and use the equation for pressure
Describe how pressure in fluids increases with depth and density
Use the equation to calculate the magnitude of pressure in liquids
Explain that an object in a fluid is subjected to upthrust
Calculate the depth at which an object floats
Due to the heavy mathematical content of this specification and particularly this topic, a lot of the activities challenge the students on their ability to recall and apply the equations. Step-by-step guides and differentiated resources are used to allow students of differing abilities to access the work.
All of the lessons in this bundle are fully-resourced and have been designed to contain a wide range of activities that will challenge the students on their knowledge and understanding of the content of UNIT 2 of the WJEC GCSE Physics specification.
The engaging PowerPoints and accompanying resources cover the following topics:
Topic 2.1: Distance, speed and acceleration
Topic 2.3: Work and energy
Topic 2.4: Further motion concepts
Topic 2.7: Types of radiation
Topic 2.8: Half-life
Topic 2.9: Nuclear decay and nuclear energy
To fall in line with the heavy mathematical content of this course, the lessons challenge a range of skills including rearranging formulae, converting units, using standard form and significant figures and percentage change
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the topic 2.3 lesson which has been shared for free
This revision lesson is fully-resourced and differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to assess their understanding of topic 2.4 (Further motion concepts) of the WJEC GCSE Physics specification. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain exam-style questions, quick tasks, discussion points and a quiz competition which check on the following specification points:
The qualitative relationship between mass and velocity in the calculation of momentum
Application of the law of the conservation of momentum to perform calculations involving collisions
Applying the kinetic energy equation to compare the size of this energy store before and after an interaction
Newton’s second law in the form force = change in momentum over time
Using equations to model the motion of an object
The principle of moments
To fall in line with the specification, there is a big emphasis on mathematical skills in this lesson and students are given guidance and assistance to ensure that they can access the work
This fully-resourced revision lesson contains a wide range of activities that will challenge the students on their knowledge and understanding of the content detailed in the CORE and SUPPLEMENT sections of topic P2 (Work, energy and power) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. These activities include exam style questions which will allow the students to assess their progress against the clearly explained answers. There is also a quiz that runs throughout the course of the lesson and this has been designed to maintain engagement and motivation.
The following specification points have been covered in this lesson:
Recall and use the equation to calculate work done
Demonstrate an understanding that work done = energy transferred
Understand that an object may have energy due to its motion or position
Recall and use the equations to calculate kinetic and gravitational potential energy
Recognise the ways that energy is transferred during events and processes
Apply the conservation of energy
Recall and use the equation to calculate power
Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
Describe how electricity is obtained from the tides, hydroelectric power and nuclear fission
One of the main tasks of the lesson, which challenges the students to apply the law of the conservation of energy, has been differentiated so that differing abilities can access the work
This engaging lesson covers the biological classification of a species, phylogenetic classification and the use of the binomial naming system. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 4.5 of the AQA A-level Biology specification which is titled species and taxonomy.
The lesson begins by looking at the meaning of a population in Biology so that the term species can be introduced. A hinny, which is the hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey, is used to explain how these two organisms must be members of different species because they are unable to produce fertile offspring. Although the art of courting might be lost on humans in the modern world, the marabou stork is used as an example to show how courtship behaviour is an essential precursor to successful mating in most organisms. Students are encouraged to discuss other examples of courtship behaviour, such as the release of pheromones and birdsong, so that their knowledge and understanding is broad.
Moving forwards, students will learn that species is the lowest taxon in the modern-day classification hierarchy. A quiz runs throughout the lesson and this particular round will engage the students whilst they learn the names of the other 7 taxa and the horse and the donkey from the earlier example are used to complete the hierarchy. Students will understand that the binomial naming system was introduced by Carl Linnaeus to provide a universal name for each species and they will be challenged to apply their knowledge by completing a hierarchy for a modern-day human, by spotting the correct name for an unfamiliar organism and finally by suggesting advantages of this system.
The final part of the lesson briefly looks at how advances in genome sequencing and the comparison of common biological molecules has allowed the relationships between organisms to be clarified.
This is a detailed lesson and it is estimated that it will take around 2 hours of A-level teaching time to cover the content and therefore this specification point.
This lesson is fully-resourced, engaging and detailed and explains how the Contact process is one of the 3 steps involved in making sulfuric acid. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources, which are differentiated, have been written to cover point C6.1(d) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Chemistry specification.
The lesson begins with a challenge where students have to use the 1st letters of the answers to questions on previously covered topics to come up with the word CONTACT. At this point, the students are introduced to the contact process as the 2nd step in a 3 stage process to make sulfuric acid. The lesson goes through the details of each of the 3 steps but particular time is spent exploring the conditions needed for the contact process in step 2. Students are continuously tested on their knowledge of reversible reactions and the key concepts to do with equilibrium position and equilibrium yield are explained so they can understand how the conditions of 2 atmospheres and 450 degrees celsius are chosen. Again through a prior knowledge check of empirical formula, the students will be introduced to vanadium oxide as the catalyst. As well as exam-style questions with displayed answers to check on current understanding, there are discussion points as well as quick quiz competitions to introduce key terms and values in a memorable way.