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 revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content found within Topic P3 (Conservation of energy) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Recall and use the equation to calculate the change in gravitational potential energy
Recall and use the equation to calculate the change in kinetic energy of a moving object
Explain what is meant by the conservation of energy
Analyse the way energy is stored when a system changes
Explain how mechanical processes become wasteful
Explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer
Recall and use the equation to calculate efficiency
Describe the main energy sources available for use on Earth
Explain patterns and trends in the use of energy resources
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content found within topic 5 (Waves in matter) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Physics specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Recall and apply the equation to calculate wave speed using frequency and wavelength
Describe wave motion in terms of amplitude, frequency, wavelength and period
Define wavelength and frequency and be able to describe and apply the relationship between these and the wave velocity
Describe differences between transverse and longitudinal waves
Describe reflection and transmission of waves at material interface
Understand how waves are used in ultrasound and SONAR
Be able to describe how a ripple tank can be used to measure the speed of a wave
The electromagnetic spectrum
Use ray diagrams to show refraction
This revision lesson has been designed to include the wide variety of mathematical skills that are tested in the Physics exam papers including rearranging formula, converting to S.I. units and calculating using standard form.
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
This is an engaging REVISION lesson which uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 1 (General Physics) of the CIE IGCSE Physics (0625) specification. The lesson covers the content in both the core and supplement sections of the specification and therefore can be used with students who will be taking the extended papers as well as the core papers.
The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:
CORE
Define speed and calculate average speed from total distance divided by total time
Plot and interpret a speed-time graph or a distance-time graph
Recognise from the shape of a speed-time graph when a body is at rest, moving at a constant speed or changing speed
Calculate the area under a speed-time graph to work out the distance travelled for motion with constant acceleration
Show familiarity with the idea of the mass of a body
State that weight is a gravitational force
Distinguish between mass and weight
Recall and use the equation W = mg
Recall and use the equation density = mass divided by volume
Understand friction as the force between two surfaces which impedes motion and results in heating
Calculate moment using the product force × perpendicular distance from the pivot
Identify changes in kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear and internal energy that have occurred as a result of an event or process
Recognise that energy is transferred during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical working), by electrical currents (electrical working), by heating and by waves
Apply the principle of conservation of energy to simple examples
Describe how electricity or other useful forms of energy may be obtained from a range of sources
Show a qualitative understanding of efficiency
Demonstrate understanding that work done = energy transferred
Relate (without calculation) power to work done and time taken, using appropriate examples
SUPPLEMENT
Distinguish between speed and velocity
Define and calculate acceleration
Understand deceleration as a negative acceleration
Describe, and use the concept of, weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass
State Hooke’s Law and recall and use the expression F = k x, where k is the spring constant
Apply the principle of moments to different situations
Understand that vectors have a magnitude and direction
The students will thoroughly enjoy the range of activities, which include quiz competitions such as “Are you the KING of the KINGDOMS” where they have to name the kingdoms involved based on a feature whilst crucially being able to recognise the areas of this topic which need their further attention. This lesson can be used as revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual IGCSE exam
This is an engaging and discussion filled lesson which looks at the menstrual cycle and specifically focuses on the interaction of the four hormones in the cycle. This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (ages 14 - 16 in the UK) but is suitable for older students who want a recap on this topic before going into more depth.
In order to understand the cycle, it is critical that students know the roles that each of the hormones perform and also can describe how one hormone affects another. The main task of the lesson goes through the steps in the cycle, but challenges the students to use their prior knowledge of the endocrine system to add in the name of the correct hormone. At appropriate points of the lesson, time is taken to relate this topic to others in Biology, such as the use of oestrogen in the contraceptive pill and also hCG as the hormone which is detected by pregnancy tests. Students will know key landmarks in the 28 day cycle and be able to relate this back to the hormones. There are progress checks throughout the lesson but the final part of the lesson involves three understanding checks where students are challenged to apply their knowledge.
A fully-resourced lesson which looks at the gaseous reversible reaction known as the Haber Process and then explores and explains why the specific conditions are chosen for this reaction. The lesson includes a detailed lesson presentation (29 slides) and associated worksheets which are differentiated.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to use a description of the reaction to complete the balanced symbol equation. A quiz competition involving both Chemistry and Maths skills is used to reveal the temperature and pressure which are chosen for this reaction. Students will learn that this only produces a yield of 30% and therefore are encouraged to question why these conditions are chosen. In doing so, they are made to wear two “hats”, so that they consider it from both a Science angle but also a business angle. Their knowledge of reversible reactions and the effect of changing either the temperature or the pressure on the position of the equilibrium are constantly challenged and then checked through a range of progress check questions. As a result of this lesson, students will understand that these conditions are a compromise and be able to explain why.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK).
An informative lesson presentation (44 slides) that looks at the work of the key Scientists involved in the development of the atomic model. Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford and Bohr were four men whose work has led to the changes in the atomic model over the years and this lesson looks at parts of each of their work. There is a focus on Rutherford’s work with the alpha particles and students are challenged to draw conclusions based on the deflections they are shown. There is lots of time written into the lesson for consolidation and regular progress checks ensure that students have the opportunity to assess their understanding. This lesson has been written for GCSE students but could be used with KS3 students who perhaps are carrying out a project on the atom and want to add detail to their work
This fully-resourced lesson describes the role of barriers in protecting the body from infection by pathogens when entering the body by the major routes. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 6.11 (i) & (ii) of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A (Salters Nuffield) specification and describe the following barriers:
skin
key steps of the blood clotting process
mucous membranes
stomach acid
vaginal and skin flora
There are clear links to topics 1, 2 and 3 in each of these barriers, so time is taken to consider these during the descriptions. For example, the presence of keratin in the cytoplasm of the skin cells allows the student knowledge of the properties of this fibrous protein to be checked. Other topics that are revisited during this lesson include blood clotting, protein structure, key terminology and the epithelium that lines the different parts of the airways.
All of the exam-style questions and tasks have mark schemes that are embedded in the PowerPoint and a number of them have been differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work.
This REVISION resource has been written with the aim of motivating the students whilst they are challenged on their knowledge of the content in Biology TOPIC 8 (Exchange and transport in animals) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification. The resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (90 slides) and accompanying worksheets, most of which are differentiated to allow all abilities to access the work.
The wide range of activities, which include exam questions and quiz competitions, have been designed to cover as much of topic 8 as possible but the following sub-topics have been given a particular focus:
Surface area to volume ratio
Gas exchange at the alveoli
The structure of the blood vessels
The gross structure of the heart and the major blood vessels
Calculating the cardiac output
The functions of the components of the blood
Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration
There is a large emphasis on mathematical skills in the new specification and these are tested throughout the lesson.
This resource is suitable for use at the end of topic 8, in the lead up to mocks or in the preparation for the final GCSE exams.
This is a detailed and engaging lesson which has been designed to cover specification points 14.1 (a, b and c) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification which states that students should be able to explain the importance of homeostasis and the roles of negative feedback and the communication systems in this control.
As homeostasis is a topic met at GCSE, this lesson has been written to build on this knowledge as well as to check on their prior knowledge of earlier A-level topics such as osmosis when considering blood water potential. Discussion points are written into the lesson at regular intervals to encourage the students to consider why a particular process or method takes place and understanding checks allow them to assess their progress. Students will recall how body temperature, blood water potential and blood glucose concentration are maintained within strict limits and the importance of these systems are looked into in detail. They will also learn that carbon dioxide concentration and blood pressure are aspects that are controlled in the body and key terminology such as chemoreceptors and baroreceptors are used throughout so that students are confident with the meaning when met later in the module. The key components of the control system are recalled and then time is taken to focus on the cell signalling that occurs between the coordination centre and the effectors. Students will learn to associate the response with either the use of the neuronal or hormonal system. The final part of the lesson looks at the importance of negative feedback in reversing the change in order to bring it back to the optimum and the differences to positive feedback are also explored.
This lesson has been written for students who are studying the CIE International A-level Biology course and ties in well with the other uploaded lessons on this topic such as those on the kidney
This fully-resourced lesson looks at the contribution of environmental and genetic factors to phenotypic variation. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets have been designed to cover point 6.1.2 (a) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification which states that students should be able to demonstrate and apply an understanding of how mutations and meiosis and the lack of availability of ions can cause variation within a species.
Students are challenged at the start of the lesson to recognise the terms phenotype and species from their definitions in order to begin a discussion on the causes of the phenotypic variation within a species. Moving forwards, students will recall that mutations are the primary source of genetic variation and time is taken to look at the effect of gene and chromosome mutations. Gene mutations were covered earlier in module 6 so these tasks act as a prior knowledge check as students have to recognise the different types of gene mutations and explain their effects on the primary structure with reference to the genetic code. These prior knowledge checks are found throughout the lesson and challenge the knowledge of other topics that include photosynthesis and meiosis. The karyotype of an individual who has Down syndrome is used to introduce chromosome mutations and students will be introduced to the different types, with a focus on non-disjunction. The key events of meiosis that produce variation (crossing over and independent assortment) are explored and students will be given a mathematical formula to use to calculate the number of chromosome combinations in gametes and in the resulting zygote. The final part of the lesson looks at chlorosis and how an environmental factor can prevent the express of a gene.
If you would like a lesson that goes into chromosome mutations in even greater detail, please search for the uploaded lesson on that topic which complements this lesson
This engaging REVISION LESSON has been designed to cover the content of topic 13 (Photosynthesis) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification. Filled with a wide range of activities, that include exam questions with explanations, quick tasks and quiz competitions, the students will be motivated whilst they assess their ability to apply their knowledge. Due to the obvious importance of this reaction, assessment questions are extremely common and so a deep understanding of this topic is key to success and the lesson has been designed to cover the important ideas.
The following sub-topics have received particular attention in this lesson:
Photophosphorylation
An outline of cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation
Photolysis of water
The light dependent reaction
The structure of the chloroplast and the site of the different reactions
The Calvin cycle
The limiting factors of photosynthesis
Investigating the effect of light intensity using DCPIP as a redox indicator and a Hill suspension
The effect of temperature on the rate
There is a focus on terminology throughout the lesson so that students are comfortable with the terms that will be encountered in exam questions.
Revision lessons on the other topics of the specification are uploaded so please take a moment to look at those too
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 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
This fully-resourced lesson describes the modes of action of the T and B lymphocytes in the immune response. The detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 2.4 of the CIE A-level Biology specification and the structure of antibodies and the roles of memory cells is also briefly introduced.
Antigen presentation was introduced at the end of the previous lesson so the task at the start of this lesson challenges students to recognise the name of this process and then they have to spot the errors in the passage that describes the details of this event. This reminds them that contact between the APC and T lymphocytes is necessary to elicit a response which they will come to recognise as the cellular response. A series of quick quiz rounds reveals key terms in a memorable way and one that is introduced is helper T cells. Time is then taken to describe the importance of cell signalling for an effective response and students will learn how the release of chemicals by these cells activates other aspects of the response. The role of the killer T cells is also described before an exam-style question is used to check on their understanding at this point of the lesson. This leads into the section of the lesson that deals with the humoral response and students will understand how this involves the antibodies that are produced by the plasma cells that are the result of clonal selection and expansion. The remainder of the lesson focuses on the role of the antibodies and the attachment of phagocytes to opsonins.
This detailed lesson describes how changes in ventilation rate are brought about to allow for the delivery of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the second part of point 7.9 (ii) in the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification.
The previous lesson described the control of heart rate so this lesson has been written to tie in with this and to use this knowledge to further the students understanding of the control of ventilation rate. The lesson begins with a focus on the muscles involved in ventilation, specifically the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles, so that students can understand how their contraction results in an increase in the volume of the thoracic cavity. Boyle’s law is briefly introduced to allow students to recognise the relationship between volume and pressure so that the movement of air with the pressure gradient can be described. Time is then taken to consider the importance of inhalation and an exam-style question challenges the students to explain that a constant supply of oxygen to the alveoli is needed to maintain a steep concentration gradient with the surrounding capillaries. The students are then tasked with writing a description of exhalation at rest using the description of inhalation as their guide. The rest of the lesson focuses on the mechanisms involved in increasing the rate and depth of breathing during exercise. Students will use their knowledge of the control of heart rate to recall that chemoreceptors detect changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide and blood pH and that the medulla oblongata processes the sensory information that it receives before coordinating a response. The final task challenges them to use the information provided in this lesson and the previous one to order 10 detailed descriptions so they can form a complete passage about this control system.
This detailed lesson describes each of the 4 stages of aerobic respiration and explains how this cellular reaction yields ATP and generates heat. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been designed to cover points 5.1 (i) and (ii) of the Edexcel A-level Biology B specificaiton and acts as a clear introduction for the upcoming lessons where the finer details of glycolysis, the Link reaction and Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation are described
The lesson begins with an introduction to glycolysis and students will learn how this first stage of aerobic respiration is also the first stage when oxygen is not present. This stage involves 10 reactions and an opportunity is taken to explain how each of these reactions is catalysed by a different, specific intracellular enzyme. A version of “GUESS WHO” challenges students to use a series of structural clues to whittle the 6 organelles down to just the mitochondrion so that they can learn how the other three stages take place inside this organelle. Moving forwards, the key components of the organelle are identified on a diagram. Students are introduced to the stages of respiration so that they can make a link to the parts of the cell and the mitochondria where each stage occurs. Students will learn that the presence of decarboxylase and dehydrogenase enzymes in the matrix along with coenzymes and oxaloacetate allows the link reaction and the Krebs cycle to run and that these stages produce the waste product of carbon dioxide. Finally, time is taken to introduce the electron transport chain and the enzyme, ATP synthase, so that students can begin to understand how the flow of protons across the inner membrane results in the production of ATP and the the formation of water when oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor.
This fully-resourced lesson describes how a triglyceride is synthesised and describes the differences between saturated and unsaturated lipids. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover specification points 1.5 (i) & (ii) as detailed in the Edexcel International A-level Biology specification and links are also made to related future topics such as the use of lipids as a substrate for respiration and the importance of the myelin sheath for the conduction of an electrical impulse.
The lesson begins with a focus on the basic structure and roles of lipids, including the elements that are found in this biological molecule and some of the places in living organisms where they are found. Moving forwards, the students are challenged to recall the structure of the carbohydrates from earlier in topic 1 so that the structure of a triglyceride can be introduced. Students will learn that this macromolecule is formed from one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids and have to use their understanding of condensation reactions to draw the final structure. Time is taken to look at the difference in structure and properties of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and students will be able to identify one from the other when presented with a molecular formula. The final part of the lesson explores how the various properties of lipids mean that these molecules have numerous roles in organisms including that of an energy store and source and as an insulator of heat and electricity.
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 3 (Movement in and out of cells) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (42 slides) and associated worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help and challenge differing abilities.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Active transport as the movement of particles against their concentration gradient using energy from respiration
The importance of active transport as demonstrated by the absorption of mineral ions by the root hair cells
The movement of water across cell membranes by osmosis
The importance of osmosis and water potential in the uptake of water by plants
The effects on plant cells of immersion into solutions of different concentrations
The importance of turgor pressure for a plant
Diffusion as the net movement of particles with the concentration gradient
Recognising the factors that influence the rate of diffusion
In addition, topics from other modules such as specialised plant cells are covered so that students can see the importance of being able to make connections and links between Biological topics.
This lesson looks at the detailed structure of DNA and builds on the knowledge from topic 1 to explain how this nucleic acid differs in the nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotic cells and in prokaryotic cells. Both the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the first part of point 6.1 (b) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification.
As well as focusing on the differences between the DNA found in these two types of cells which includes the length, shape and association with histones, the various tasks will ensure that students are confident to describe how this double-stranded polynucleotide is held together by hydrogen and phosphodiester bonds. These tasks include exam-style questions which challenge the application of knowledge as well as a few quiz competitions to maintain engagement.
This engaging lesson describes the relationship between the structure, properties and functions of a phopholipid and cholesterol. The PowerPoint has been written as the second lesson in a series of two that cover specification points 2.1.2 (h), (i) & (j) of the OCR A-level Biology A course and there is a particular focus on their roles in membranes to link to module 2.1.5.
In the previous lesson, the students met triglycerides and a quick quiz round called FAMILY AFFAIR is used at the start of the lesson to challenge the students on their knowledge of the structure of this macromolecule to identify the shared features in a phospholipid. This then allows the differences to be introduced, such as the presence of a phosphate group in place of the third fatty acid. Moving forwards, the students will learn that the two fatty acid tails are hydrophobic whilst the phosphate head is hydrophilic which leads into a key discussion point where the class has to consider how it is possible for the phospholipids to be arranged when both the inside and outside of a cell is an aqueous solution. The outcome of the discussion is the introduction of the bilayer which is critical for the lesson in module 2.1.5 on the fluid mosaic model. Students are briefly introduced to facilitated diffusion and reminded of active transport so they can recognise that proteins will be found in the membrane to allow for movement of large or polar molecules. The remainder of the lesson focuses on cholesterol, beginning with the structure. The hydrophobic nature of this molecule is then considered and discussed so that they can understand its role in the regulation of membrane fluidity. That just leaves one final quiz round which identifies vitamin D, testosterone and oestrogen as three substances that are formed from cholesterol