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 is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of the content in topics C1 - C4, that will assessed on PAPER 3. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many sub-topics as possible, but the following have been given particular attention:
The relative mass and charge of protons, electrons and neutrons
Using the Periodic table to calculate numbers of the sub-atomic particles
Writing elements and compounds in chemical symbol equations
Simple and giant covalent structures
Explaining the difference in conductivity of graphite and diamond
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for ionic compounds
The transfer of electrons during the formation of an ionic bond
Writing chemical formulae for ionic compounds
Conservation of mass and balancing symbol equations
Calculating the relative formula mass
Electrolysis of molten salts and aqueous solutions
Extraction of metals
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as drawing dot and cross diagrams, diamond and graphite and writing chemical formulae.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3/4 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the duration of the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 3 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, engaging quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C1 & C6 - C8, that will assessed on PAPER 4. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the key ideas are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Hydrocarbons
The homologous series of alkanes
Empirical formula
Covalent dot and cross diagrams
Fractional distillation of crude oil
The properties of the different fractions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
Changes in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Deforestation
Changes in the Earth’s atmosphere
Polluting gases
The formation of acid rain
Detecting oxygen and chlorine
The properties of the halogens
Metals vs non-metals
The reaction of alkali metals with water
Explaining the pattern of reactivity of the alkali metals
The collision theory
Endothermic and exothermic reactions
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere and explaining the reactivity of the alkali metals in terms of electronic configurations.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the duration of the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 4 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, engaging quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of the content of topics P1 - P6, that will assessed on PAPER 5. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Factors affecting thinking and braking distance
The 7 recall and apply equations tested in PAPER 5
The units associated with the physical factors challenged in PAPER 5
Recognising the motions represented by different motions on velocity-time graphs
Using a velocity-time graph to calculate acceleration
Resultant forces
Sound waves as longitudinal waves
The electromagnetic waves
Using significant figures and standard form
The relative charges and masses of the particles in an atom
Recognising isotopes
Using the half-life of radioactive isotopes
The development of the atomic model
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been incorporated into the lesson to walk through students through some of the more difficult concepts such as half-life calculations.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 5 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, engaging quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of the content of topics P1 & P8 - P15, that will assessed on PAPER 6. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
The 13 recall and apply equations tested in PAPER 6
Electrical components and symbols
Setting up an ammeter and voltmeter in a circuit
Current and potential difference in a series circuit
The change in resistance in a LDR, diode, thermistor and filament bulb
Mains domestic supply in the UK
Plugs and fuses as safety devices
Contact and non-contact forces
Attraction and repulsion in magnets
Magnetic fields
Changes of state as physical changes
The extension of a spring
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. A revision quiz, consisting of 10 rounds, runs over the course of the lesson and a score sheet is included with the resources to maintain motivation and engagement.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 6 exam.
This bundle of 6 revision lessons challenges the students on their knowledge of the content of topics B1 - B7, C1 - C10 and P1 - P7 of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification which will be assessed on the 6 terminal GCSE papers. Specifically, the range of tasks which include exam-style questions (with displayed answers), quiz competitions and discussion points, have been designed for students taking the FOUNDATION TIER papers but could also be used with students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the key points are embedded on some topics.
The majority of the tasks are differentiated 2 or 3 ways so that a range of abilities can access the work whilst remaining challenged by the content.
If you would like to see the quality of these lessons, download the paper 2 and 5 revision lessons as these have been shared for free.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics P5 - P7, that will assessed on PAPER 6. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Factors affecting the thinking, braking and stopping distance
The 7 recall and apply equations tested in PAPER 6
Using velocity-time graphs to calculate accelerations
The motions represented by the different lines on a velocity-time graph
Resultant forces
Speed and velocity as scalar and vector quantities
Converting between units
Sound as an example of a longitudinal wave
The EM spectrum
The meaning of amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period
Contact and non-contact forces
Attraction and repulsion in magnets
Magnetic fields
The extension of a spring
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as calculating acceleration and the mathematical elements
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2/3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 6 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C6 - C10, that will assessed on PAPER 4. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Hydrocarbons
The first four members of the alkanes
Fractional distillation of crude oil
The properties of the different fractions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
Detecting carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine gas
Changes in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Deforestation
Polluting gases
The formation of acid rain
The treatment of water
The collision theory
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2/3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 4 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics P1 - P4, that will assessed on PAPER 5. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have received particular attention:
The size of an atom
The differences between isotopes
Using the half-life in calculations
The 13 recall and apply equations in topics P1 - P4
Electrical circuit symbols
Measuring current using an ammeter
Current and potential difference in series and parallel circuits
Changes in resistance in resistors
Mains domestic supply
Kinetic, internal and potential energy in a system
Calculating specific heat capacity and latent heat
Physical and chemical changes
Conservation of energy
Calculating gravitational potential and kinetic energy
Penetrating abilities of the different types of radiation
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as circuit calculations and rearranging formulae and converting between units.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 or 4 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 5 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C1 - C5, that will assessed on PAPER 3. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many sub-topics as possible, but the following have been given particular attention:
The relative mass and charge of protons, electrons and neutrons
Using the Periodic table to calculate numbers of the sub-atomic particles
Writing elements and compounds in chemical symbol equations
Covalent structures
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for covalent and ionic compounds
The transfer of electrons during the formation of an ionic bond
Properties of metals and non-metals
States of matter
Conservation of mass and balancing symbol equations
Calculating the relative formula mass
Electrolysis of molten salts and aqueous solutions
Extraction of metals
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as drawing dot and cross diagrams and writing chemical formulae.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3/4 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 3 exam.
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics B5 - B7, that will assessed on PAPER 2. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to take place at a health clinics day at the local hospital so that the following sub-topics could be covered:
Control of blood glucose concentration
Diabetes type I and II
The endocrine system
The menstrual cycle
Roles of the female and male reproductive hormones
Sexual and asexual reproduction
Meiosis and gametes
Sex determination
Contraception
Evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Genetic terminology
Inheritance of genetic disorders
The central nervous system
A reflex arc
Classification systems and the binomial naming system
Structural adaptations
Carbon cycle and climate change
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as genetic diagrams and interpreting the results and evolution by natural selection.
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 2 exam.
All 6 lessons included in this bundle have been written to cover the detailed content of topics 8.3 and 8.4 of the AQA A-level Biology specification. These topics can provide a series of problems for students so clear explanations are used throughout the lesson as well as regular understanding checks so any misconceptions are immediately addressed. The variety of tasks will maintain engagement whilst displayed mark schemes allow students to assess their answers and add detail where it is missing.
The following specification points are covered:
8.3: Using genome projects
8.4.1: Recombinant DNA technology
8.4.2: Differences in DNA between individuals of the same species can be exploited
8.4.3: Genetic fingerprinting
If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons first, why not download the lesson on producing DNA fragments which has been uploaded for free
This fully-resourced lesson explores how projects to sequence the genomes of both simple and complex organisms can be used. Both the detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the content of point 8.3 of the AQA A-level Biology specification.
The start of the lesson describes each step of Sanger’s chain termination method and demonstrates how this method has paved the way for other projects. The use of the modified nucleotides are explained and links are made to the topic 4 and 2 where protein synthesis and DNA replication were first introduced. Students will learn how the radioactively-labelled nucleotide at the end of each fragment allows the next base to be determined. Key processes like gel electrophoresis are introduced and details provided to support the students when this is encountered in greater detail in 8.4.3. Moving forwards, the applications of sequencing in simple organisms like viruses and bacteria are explored and the students are challenged on their prior knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis and current understanding of sequencing through a series of exam-style questions. The final part of the lesson looks at the difficulties of translating genome knowledge into proteome knowledge and considers the development of automated methods.
Due to the detail and extensiveness of this lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2 hours of allocated A-level teaching time to cover all of the points which have been written into the various tasks
Each of the 12 lessons included in this bundle have been written to specifically cover the content as detailed in topic 8 of the AQA A-level Biology specification (The control of gene expression). The wide range of activities will maintain engagement whilst supporting the explanations of the biological knowledge to allow the students to build a deep understanding of this potentially difficult topic!
Lessons which cover the following specification points are included in this bundle:
Gene mutations and their effect on the structure of proteins
Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated
Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent stem cells
Regulation of transcription by transcription factors
The role of oestrogen in initiating transcription
Epigenetic control of gene expression in eukaryotes
Inhibition of transcription by increased DNA methylation or decreased acetylation of histones
Translation of mRNA can be inhibited by RNA interference
The main characteristics of benign and malignant tumours
Determining the genome of simpler organisms to determine the proteome and its applications
The development of DNA sequencing methods
The production of DNA fragments through use of enzymes or a gene machine
The role of the PCR to amplify DNA fragments
The transfer of DNA into a host cell
The use of labelled DNA probes to screen patients for heritable conditions, drug responses and to identify health risks
VNTRs
The technique of genetic fingerprinting to analyse DNA fragments
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the producing DNA fragments and DNA methylation and acetylation lessons as these have been uploaded for free
A fully-resourced lesson, which explores how changes to the sequence of bases on DNA may or may not alter protein structure. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 8.1 of the AQA A-level Biology specification and it builds on the knowledge gained during topic 4 when gene mutations were first introduced.
A quiz runs throughout the lesson where students compete to recognise key terms from their definitions and the lesson begins with an edition of this round as they are challenged to recognise the definition for primary structure. Other terms that arise during the lesson relate to the different gene mutations, the genetic code and mutagenic agents. The focus of the lesson is to support students in their explanations of how a particular mutation can result in a change in the primary structure as well as being able to explain why a substitution mutation may not. In this way, their understanding of the degenerate and non-overlapping nature of the genetic code will be tested and any misconceptions can be addressed. The main section of the lesson covers substitution, deletion and addition mutations before translocation, inversion and duplication mutations are introduced. Links are made to the latter parts of topic 8 so students can understand how the change in the sequence of bases may disrupt gene expression. The final part of the lesson looks at a range of mutagenic agents that can increase the rate of mutation.
This extensive and fully-resourced lesson describes the steps in the production of recombinant DNA in genetic technology. Both the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been written to cover all of the detailed content of topic 19.1 of the CIE International A-level Biology specification apart from the polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis as these are found in other uploaded lessons.
The lesson begins with a definition of recombinant DNA to allow students to begin to understand how this process involves the transfer of DNA fragments from one species to another. Links are made to the genetic code and transcription and translation mechanisms, which were met in topic 6, in order to explain how the transferred gene can be translated in the transgenic organism. Moving forwards, the method involving reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase is introduced and their knowledge of the structure of the polynucleotides and the roles of enzymes is challenged through questions and discussion points. Restriction enzymes are then introduced and time is taken to look at the structure of a restriction site as well as the production of sticky ends due to the staggered cut on the DNA. A series of exam-style questions with displayed mark schemes are used to allow the students to assess their current understanding.
The second half of the lesson looks at the culture of transformed host cells as an in vivo method to amplify DNA fragments. Students will learn that bacterial cells are the most commonly transformed cells so the next task challenges their recall of the structures of these cells so that plasmid DNA can be examined from that point onwards. The following key steps are described and explained:
• Remove and prepare the plasmid to act as a vector
• Insert the DNA fragment into the vector
• Transfer the recombinant plasmid into the host cell
• Identify the cells which have taken up the recombinant plasmid
• Allow the transformed host cells to replicate and express the novel gene
Time is taken to explore the finer details of each step such as the addition of the promoter and terminator regions, use of the same restriction enzyme to cut the plasmid as was used to cut the gene and the different types of marker genes.
As well as understanding and prior knowledge checks, quick quiz competitions are used throughout the lesson to introduce key terms such as cDNA and EcoR1 in a memorable way.
Due to the detail that is included in this lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 hours to cover the points
This fully-resourced lesson explains how gel electrophoresis is used to analyse nucleic acids and proteins and explores its applications in forensic science and medical diagnosis. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been written to cover point 19.1 (d) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification
As a whole lesson, each step of the genetic fingerprinting process is covered but with the main focus on gel electrophoresis within this process. Students will be introduced to STRs and will come to recognise their usefulness in human identification as a result of the variability between individuals. Moving forwards, the involvement of the PCR and restriction enzymes are discussed and students are challenged on their knowledge of this process and these substances as they were encountered in a previous lesson. The main section of the lesson focuses on the use of gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments (as well as proteins) and the key ideas of separation due to differences in base pair length or molecular mass are discussed and explained. As well as current understanding checks, an application question involving Huntington’s disease is used to challenge their ability to apply their knowledge of the process to an unfamiliar situation. The remainder of the lesson describes how the DNA is transferred to a membrane and hybridisation probes are used to create a pattern on the X-ray film.
Time has been taken to make continuous links to the previous lessons in topic 19.1 as well as those from topic 6 where DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were introduced.
This fully-resourced lesson explains how genetic fingerprinting can be used to analyse DNA fragments and explores its applications in forensic science and medical diagnosis. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been written to cover all of point 8.4.3 of the AQA A-level Biology specification
Each step of the genetic fingerprinting process is covered and time is taken to ensure that key details are understood. Students will be introduced to VNTRs and will come to recognise their usefulness in human identification as a result of the variability between individuals. Moving forwards, the involvement of the PCR and restriction enzymes are discussed and students are challenged on their knowledge of this process and these substances as they were encountered in a previous sub-topic. The main section of the lesson focuses on the use of gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments (as well as proteins) and the key ideas of separation due to differences in base pair length or molecular mass are discussed and explained. As well as current understanding checks, an application question involving Huntington’s disease is used to challenge their ability to apply their knowledge of the process to an unfamiliar situation. The remainder of the lesson describes how the DNA is transferred to a membrane and hybridisation probes are used to create a pattern on the X-ray film.
Time has been taken to make continuous links to the previous lessons in topic 8 as well as those from topic 4 where DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were introduced.
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.
This fully-resourced lesson bundle covers the content as detailed in topic 8.4.1 of the AQA A-level Biology specification (recombinant DNA technology). All of the lessons have been written to contain a wide range of activities that will maintain student engagement whilst this potentially difficult concept is explained. Links are continuously made to previous lessons in topic 8 as well as those covered in the AS year (mainly topic 4)
If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the producing DNA fragments lesson as this has been uploaded for free