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.
A fast-paced lesson where the main focus is the description of motion with reference to the forces involved. The lesson begins by introducing the term, terminal velocity, and then through consideration of examples in the English language, students will understand that this is the top velocity. The example of a skydiver is used and whilst the story of the dive is told, students are challenged to draw a sketch graph to show the different stages of this journey. An exemplary answer is used to visualise how the motion should be described. Related topics like free body diagrams and resultant forces are brought into the answer in an attempt to demonstrate how they are all interlinked. The next task asks the students to try to describe the remaining parts of the graph and they can assess against displayed mark schemes. The final part of the lesson looks at the two terminal velocities that they were during the skydive and explains that the increased surface area after the parachute was opened led to the second velocity being lower. The last task challenges the students to use this knowledge to answer a difficult exam question. It has been differentiated so those students who need extra assistance can still access the learning.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students.
This lesson describes the structure of the chloroplast, focusing on the sites of the light-dependent and light-independent stages of photosynthesis. This fully-resourced lesson, which consists of an engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources, has been designed to cover points 13.1 (a) & (b) of the CIE A-level Biology specification and has been specifically designed to introduce students to the grana and stroma as the site of the light-dependent and light-independent stages respectively before they are covered in greater detail in the lessons that are taught later in topic 13.1.
Students were introduced to eukaryotic cells and their organelles in topic 1 so this lesson has been written to test and to build on that knowledge. A version of the quiz show POINTLESS runs throughout the lesson and this maintains engagement whilst challenging the students to recall the parts of the chloroplast based on a description which is related to their function. The following structures are covered in this lesson:
double membrane
thylakoids (grana)
stroma
intergranal lamellae
starch grains
chloroplast DNA and ribosomes
Once each structure has been recalled, a range of activities are used to ensure that key details are understood such as the role of the thylakoid membranes in the light-dependent reactions and the importance of ATP and reduced NADP for the reduction of GP to TP in the Calvin cycle. Links to other topics are made throughout and this is exemplified by the final task of the lesson where students are challenged on their recall of the structure, properties and function of starch, as originally covered in topic 2.2
This engaging lesson describes how the structure of the mammalian lung is adapted for rapid gaseous exchange. The PowerPoint has been designed to cover point 2.1 (iii) of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification and focuses on the essential features of the alveolar epithelium as well as the mechanism of ventilation to maintain a steep concentration gradient for the simple diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Gas exchange at the alveoli is a topic that was covered at GCSE and considered during the previous lessons in topic 2.1 so this lesson has been written to challenge the recall of that knowledge and then to build on it. The main focus of the first half of the lesson is the type of epithelium found lining the alveoli and students will discover that a single layer of flattened cells known as simple, squamous epithelium acts to reduce the diffusion distance.
The following features of the alveolar epithelium are also covered:
Surface area
Moist lining
Production of surfactant
The maintenance of a steep concentration gradient is the role of the respiratory system and the next part of the lesson focuses on the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. As the mechanism of inhalation is a cascade of events, the details of this process are covered in a step by step format using bullet points. At each step, time is taken to discuss the key details which includes an introduction to Boyle’s law that reveals the inverse relationship between volume and pressure. It is crucial that students are able to describe how the actions of the diaphragm, external intercostal muscles and ribcage result in an increased volume of the thoracic cavity and a subsequent decrease in the pressure, which is below the pressure outside of the body. At this point, their recall of the structures of the mammalian gas exchange system is tested, to ensure that they can describe the pathway taken by air when moving into the lungs.
This fully-resourced lesson describes the three main stages of the Calvin cycle as fixation, reduction and regeneration. The detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the content of point 13.1 (g) of the CIE A-level Biology specification and detailed planning ensures that continual links are made to the previous lesson on the light-dependent stage so that students understand how the products of that stage, ATP and reduced NADP, are essential for the Calvin cycle
The lesson begins with an existing knowledge check where the students are challenged to recall the names of structures, substances and reactions from the light-dependent stage in order to reveal the abbreviations of the main 3 substances in the Calvin cycle. This immediately introduces RuBP, GP and TP and students are then shown how these substances fit into the cycle. The main section of the lesson focuses on the three phases of the Calvin cycle and time is taken to explore the key details of each phase and includes:
The role of RuBisCO in carbon fixation
The role of the products of the light-dependent stage, ATP and reduced NADP, in the reduction of GP to TP
The use of the majority of the TP in the regeneration of RuBP
A step-by-step guide, with discussion points where the class are given time to discuss the answer to selected questions, is used to show how 6 turns of the cycle are needed to form the TP that will then be used to synthesise 1 molecule of glucose. A series of exam-style questions are included at appropriate points of the lesson and this will introduce limiting factors as well as testing their ability to answer questions about this stage when presented with an unfamiliar scientific investigation. The mark schemes are included in the PowerPoint so students can assess their understanding and any misconceptions are immediately addressed.
This lesson has been designed to cover the higher tier content of specification points 7.4 & 7.5 (The hormones involved in the stages of the menstrual cycle) which is found in topic 7 of the Edexcel GCSE Biology & Combined Science specifications. A wide range of activities will engage and motivate the students whilst the content is covered in detail and understanding checks are included at regular points to enable the students to self-assess their new found knowledge. Students will learn about the different stages of the menstrual cycle including menstruation and ovulation and will see how FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone interact to control these stages.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are taking the Edexcel GCSE Biology or Combined Science course but it is also suitable for younger students who are looking into this topic as part of the reproduction module
This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint and an accompanying worksheet which together cover the content of specification point 5.3.7 (Negative feedback) as found on the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science higher tier specifications. Over the course of the lesson, students will learn about the effects of the release of adrenaline and thyroxine and will understand how the latter is controlled by negative feedback. Due to the obvious connection to the previously learned endocrine system topic, regular opportunities are taken to check on this prior knowledge and these work well with the understanding checks which allow the students to assess their progress. Quiz competitions which include SAY WHAT YOU SEE and FROM NUMBERS 2 LETTERS are used to introduce key terms and abbreviations in a fun and memorable way, whilst the key details of the content is always at the forefront of the design of the lesson.
This lesson has been written for students studying the higher tier of the AQA GCSE Biology or Combined Science courses but it is also suitable for use with A-level students who need to recall the key details of these two hormones
This fully-resourced lesson explores how the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries relates to their functions. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 1.3 of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A (Salters Nuffield) specification.
This lesson has been written to build on any prior knowledge from GCSE or earlier in this topic to enable students to fully understand why a particular type of blood vessel has particular features. Students will be able to make the connection between the narrow lumen and elastic tissue in the walls of arteries and the need to maintain the high pressure of the blood. A quick version of the GUESS WHO game is used to introduce smooth muscle and collagen in the tunica media and externa and again the reason for their presence is explored and explained. Moving forwards, the lesson considers the structure of the veins and students are challenged to explain how the differences to those observed in arteries is due to the lower blood pressure found in these vessels. The final part of the lesson looks at the role of the capillaries in exchange. Links are made to diffusion to ensure that students can explain how the red blood cells pressing against the endothelium results in a short diffusion distance.
It is estimated that it will take about 2 hours of allocated A-level Biology teaching time to cover the detail included in this lesson
This fully-resourced lesson explains how gene mutations can occur by substitution, deletion and insertion and explores how these base pair changes can affect the primary structure of the polypeptide and therefore the phenotype. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 16.2 (e) of the CIE International A-level Biology specification which states that students should understand how these mutations occur and can affect the phenotype.
In order to understand how a change in the base sequence can affect the order of the amino acids, students must be confident in their understanding and application of protein synthesis which was taught in topic 6. Therefore, the start of the lesson focuses on transcription and translation and students are guided through the use of the codon table to identify amino acids. Moving forwards, a quick quiz competition is used to introduce the names of three types of gene mutation whilst challenging the students to recognise terms which are associated with the genetic code and were met in the previous lesson. The main focus of the lesson is base substitutions and how these mutations may or may not cause a change to the amino acid sequence. The students are challenged to use their knowledge of the degenerate nature of the genetic code to explain how a silent mutation can result. The rest of the lesson looks at base deletions and base insertions and students are introduced to the idea of a frameshift mutation. One particular task challenges the students to evaluate the statement that base deletions have a bigger impact on primary structure than base substitutions. This is a differentiated task and they have to compare the fact that the reading frame is shifted by a deletion against the change in a single base by a substitution
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 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 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 detailed lesson describes the formation of polypeptides as well as the different levels of protein structures and links this to function. Both the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 2.9 (ii) & (iii) of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification but also makes specific reference to genes and therefore covers the details of point 2.8 too.
The start of the lesson focuses on the formation of a peptide bond during a condensation reaction so that students can understand how a dipeptide is formed and therefore how a polypeptide forms when multiple reactions occur.
The main part of the lesson describes the different levels of protein structure. A step by step guide is used to demonstrate how the sequences of bases in a gene acts as a template to form a sequence of codons on a mRNA strand and how this is translated into a particular sequence of amino acids known as the primary structure. The students are then challenged to apply their understanding of this process by using three more gene sequences to work out three primary structures and recognise how different genes lead to different sequences. Moving forwards, students will learn how the order of amino acids in the primary structure determines the shape of the protein molecule, through its secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure and time is taken to consider the details of each of these. There is a particular focus on the different bonds that hold the 3D shape firmly in place and a quick quiz round then introduces the importance of this shape as exemplified by enzymes, antibodies and hormones. The lesson concludes with one final task where the students have to identify three errors in a passage about the hydrolysis of a dipeptide or polypeptide.
This detailed and fully-resourced lesson describes the relationship between the structure and function of glycogen and starch. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the fourth part of points 1.12 & 1.13 of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification and clear links are also made to the previous lessons in this topic where the monosaccharides and disaccharides were introduced.
The lesson begins with the CARBOHYDRATE WALL where students have to use their prior knowledge to collect the 9 carbohydrates on show into 3 groups. This results in glycogen, starch and cellulose being grouped together as polysaccharides and the structure and roles of the first two are covered over the course of the lesson. Students will learn how key structural features like the 1 - 4 and 1 - 6 glycosidic bonds and the hydrogen bonds dictate whether the polysaccharide chain is branched or unbranched and also allows for spiralling. Following the description of the structure of glycogen, students are challenged to design an exam question in the form of a comparison table so that it can be completed as the lesson progresses and they learn more about starch. This includes a split in the starch section of the table so that the differing structures and properties of amylose and amylopectin can be considered. The importance of the compact structure for storage is discussed as well as the branched chains of amylopectin acting as quick source of energy when it is needed. The lesson concludes with a question and answer section that guides the students when answering a question about the importance of the lower solubility of the polysaccharides when compared to the monosaccharides.
This fully-resourced lesson describes the blood clotting process and includes the release of thromboplastin and the subsequent conversions to thrombin and fibrin. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets have been primarily designed to cover the content detailed in point 1.6 of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification but time has been taken to look at haemophilia as a sex-linked disease so that students are prepared for sex-linkage when covered in topic 3.
The lesson begins with the introduction of clotting factors as integral parts of the blood clotting process and explains that factor III, thromboplastin, needs to recalled as well as the events that immediately precede and follows its release. Students will learn how damage to the lining and the exposure of collagen triggers the release of this factor and how a cascade of events then results. Quick quiz rounds and tasks are used to introduce the names of the other substances involved which are prothrombin, thrombin, fibrinogen and fibrin. In a link to the upcoming topic of proteins, students will understand how the insolubility of fibrin enables this mesh of fibres to trap platelets and red blood cells and to form the permanent clot. In the previous lessons, students described the events in atherosclerosis and a link is made to the role of blood clotting in CVD.
The final part of the lesson introduces haemophilia as a sex-linked disease and students are challenged to apply their knowledge to an unfamiliar situation as they have to write genotypes and determine phenotypes before explaining why men are more likely to suffer from this disease than women.
This detailed lesson introduces the 3 main principles of the cell theory and describes how cells are organised into tissues, organs and organ systems. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 2.1 (i) & (ii) of the Edexcel A-level Biology B specification.
The cell theory is introduced at the start of the lesson and the 1st principle is immediately discussed to ensure that students are aware that all living organisms are made of cells. This principle is discussed with relation to viruses to enable students to understand that the lack of cell structure in a virus is one of the reasons that they are not considered to be living. The second principle states that the cell is the basic unit of structure and organisation and this leads into the main part of the lesson where specialised cells and their groupings into tissues are considered. Students are challenged to compare an amoeba against a human to get them to focus on the difference in the SA/V ratio. This acts as an introduction into the process of differentiation and a recognition of its importance for multicellular organisms. Students will discover that a zygote is a stem cell which can express all of the genes in its genome and divide by mitosis. Time is then taken to introduce gene expression as this will need to be understood in the later topics of the course. Moving forwards, the lesson uses the process of haematopoiesis from haematopoietic stem cells to demonstrate how the red blood cell and neutrophil differ significantly in structure despite arising from the same cell along the same cell lineage. A series of exam-style questions will not only challenge their knowledge of structure but also their ability to apply this knowledge to unfamiliar situations. These differences in cell structure is further exemplified by the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and students will understand why the shape and arrangement of these cells differ in the trachea and alveoli in line with function. The link between specialised cells and tissues is made at this point of the lesson with these examples of epithelium and students will also see how tissues are grouped into organs and then into organ systems. The third principle states that cells arise from pre-existing cells and this will be demonstrated later in topic 2 with mitosis and meiosis.
This REVISION resource has been designed to motivate and engage students whilst they are challenged on their knowledge of the content in topics C6-C10 of the AQA Trilogy GCSE Combined Science specification which can be assessed on PAPER 4. This is fully-resourced and contains a detailed PowerPoint (118 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated.
The resource was written with the aim of covering as many C6-C10 sub-topics as possible, but the following ones have received particular focus:
Pure substances in Science
Chromatography
Detecting gases
Reversible reactions
Changing conditions and the position of the equilibrium
Factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction
The structure of the alkanes
Complete combustion of the alkanes
Cracking and the alkenes
Fractional distillation of crude oil
This resource can be used in combination with the PAPER 3 revision resource which covers the content in Chemistry topics C1 - C5 as well as the other AQA GCSE Combined Science REVISION lessons which I’ve uploaded
This REVISION resource has been written with the aim of motivating the students whilst they are challenged on their knowledge of the content in Chemistry TOPIC 2 (States of matter and mixtures) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification. The resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (65 slides) and accompanying worksheets, most of which are differentiated to allow a range of 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 2 as possible but the following sub-topics have been given a particular focus:
Pure substances in Science
Using melting and boiling points to distinguish between pure and impure
Separating mixtures using simple and fractional distillation
Determining a state of matter using data
Physical changes
Crystallisation
The mobile and stationary phases of paper chromatography
Calculating the retention factor
The treatment of water to make potable water
This resource is suitable for use at the end of topic 2, in the lead up to mocks or in the preparation for the final GCSE exams.
The range of exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions that have been written into this revision lesson will help to motivate and engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 1.3 (Digestion and the digestive system in humans) of the WJEC GCSE Biology specification. The resource includes a detailed and engaging Powerpoint (51 slides) and an associated worksheet, which has been differentiated to help differing abilities to access the work.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
The movement of food by peristalsis
The role of carbohydrase, protease and lipase enzymes in digestion
The tests for the presence of starch and glucose
The roles of the stomach and small intestine in digestion
The function of bile in the break down of fats
The need for a balanced diet and implication for health of excess sugar and salt in foods
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 2 (Organisation of the organism) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (53 slides) and an associated worksheet.
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:
The function of the organelles found in animal and plant cells
The features of specialised cells which allow them to perform their function
The mitochondria and the production of energy for use in cell activities
Calculating size and magnification by converting between millimetres and micrometres
Tissues, organs and organ systems