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 fully-resourced lesson describes the non-specific responses of the body to infection and includes details of phagocytosis, inflammation and interferon release. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been primarily designed to cover the content of point 6.7 of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification but topics including antigen-presentation are also introduced to prepare students for upcoming lessons on the immune response (6.8 & 6.9).
At the start of the lesson, the students are challenged to recall that cytosis is a suffix associated with transport mechanisms and this introduces phagocytosis as a form of endocytosis which takes in pathogens and foreign particles. This emphasis on key terminology runs throughout the course of the lesson and students are encouraged to consider how the start or end of a word can be used to determine meaning. The process of phagocytosis is then split into 5 key steps and time is taken to discuss the role of opsonins as well as the fusion of lysosomes and the release of lysozymes. A series of application questions are used to challenge the students on their ability to make links to related topics including an understanding of how the hydrolysis of the peptidoglycan wall of a bacteria results in lysis. Students will be able to distinguish between neutrophils and monocytes from a diagram and at this point, the role of macrophages and dendritic cells as antigen-presenting cells is described so that it can be used in the next lesson. The importance of cell signalling for an effective immune response is discussed and the rest of the lesson focuses on the release of two chemicals - interferons and histamine. During the interferon section, references are made to a previous lesson on HIV structure and action so students can understand how the release of these signalling proteins helps neighbouring cells to heighten their anti-viral defences. A step by step guide is used to describe the release of histamine in the inflammatory response and the final task challenges students to use this support to form a detailed answer regarding the steps in inflammation.
As cells are the building blocks of living organisms, and Biology is the study of life, it’s fairly obvious that a clear understanding of cell structure is going to be critical for the success of an A-level student on the OCR A-level Biology A course. The 6 lessons included in this bundle are highly detailed and have been intricately planned to contain the detail needed at this level and to make links to topics in the other modules of the specification.
The lesson PowerPoints and accompanying resources contain a wide range of tasks which will engage and motivate the students whilst covering the following specification points in module 2.1.1:
The use of microscopy to observe and investigate different types of cell and cell structure in a range of eukaryotic organisms
The use of the eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer
The use of staining in light microscopy
The use and manipulation of the magnification formula
The difference between resolution and magnification
The ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells and the functions of the different cellular components
The interrelationship between the organelles involved in the production and secretion of proteins
The importance of the cytoskeleton
The similarities and differences in the structure and ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons included in this bundle, then download “The use of microscopy” and “cytoskeleton” lessons as these have been uploaded for free
This bundle contains 18 detailed and engaging lessons which cover the following specification points in module 3 (Exchange and transport) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification:
3.1.1: Exchange surfaces
The need for specialised exchange surfaces
The features of an efficient exchange surface
The structures and functions of the components of the mammalian gaseous exchange system
The mechanism of ventilation in mammals
The mechanisms of ventilation and gas exchange in bony fish and insects
3.1.2: Transport in animals
The double, closed circulatory system in mammals
The structure and functions of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins
The formation of tissue fluid from plasma
The external and internal structure of the heart
The cardiac cycle
How heart action is initiated and coordinated
The use and interpretation of ECG traces
The role of haemoglobin in transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
The oxygen dissociation curve for foetal and adult haemoglobin
3.1.3: Transport in plants
The structure and function of the vascular systems in the roots, stems and leaves
The transport of water into the plant, through the plant and to the air surrounding the leaves
The mechanism of translocation
As well as the detailed A-level Biology content of the PowerPoint slides, the resources contain a wide range of tasks including guided discussion points, exam-style questions and quiz competitions which will engage and motivate the students
This lesson describes the effect that treaties such as CITES have had on global diversity. The PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets have been primarily designed to cover point 10.4 (ii) of the Edexcel A-level Biology B specification but has been planned to constantly challenge them on their knowledge of topic 3.3 (biodiversity) as a local conservation agreement is also considered
Many hours of research have gone into the planning of this lesson to ensure that a range of interesting biological examples are included, with the aim of fully engaging the students in the material to increase its relevance. The students will learn that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was first agreed in 1973 and that 35000 species are currently found in appendix I, II or III. Time is taken to go through the meaning of each appendix and then the following animal and plant species are used to explain the finer details of the agreement:
Tree pangolin, eastern black rhino for CITES appendix I
Darwin’s orchid for CITES appendix II
Four-horned antelope for CITES appendix III
Exam-style questions are used to check on their understanding of the current topic as well as to challenge their knowledge of previously-covered topics such as the functions of keratin, when considering the structure of the rhino horn. Each of these questions has its own markscheme which is embedded in the PowerPoint and this allows the students to constantly assess their progress.
The final part of the lesson considers the Countryside Stewardship Scheme as a local conservation agreements and discusses the reasons behind some of the key points. Students are told that farmers, woodland owners, foresters and land managers can apply for funding for a range of options including hedgerow management, low input grassland, buffer strips, management plans and soil protection options. The importance of the hedgerows for multiple species is discussed, and again a real-life example is used with bats to increase the likelihood of retention. The last task challenges them to use their overall knowledge of biodiversity to explain why buffer strips consisting of multiple types of vegetation are used and to explain why these could help when a farmer is using continuous monoculture.
An engaging lesson presentation and associated worksheet that looks at the use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and the raises the issue of the potential over-use of these substances. The lesson begins by getting the students to recognise the difference between three key terms that begin with anti (antibiotics, antivirals, antiseptics). Students will be introduced to the idea that antibiotics are specific to a small range of bacteria and therefore the correct one has to be selected before being prescribed. Moving forwards, students will meet the idea of the zone of inhibition and will understand how the size of this zone can be used as an indicator to the effectiveness of the treatment. Students are shown how to calculate the size of the zone and then are tested on their ability to apply this mathemetical knowledge. Finally, time is taken to look at the links to the topic of natural selection to explain how some bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics. There are regular progress checks throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students but could be used as an introduction with A-level Biology students who are about to begin the topic of immunity.
An engaging lesson presentation (39 slides) with associated differentiated worksheets that looks at they key differences between pure and impure substances and briefly explores how a mixture like an alloy can still be very useful.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to recognise 4 diagrams of pure substances from a selection of 5. This will lead students to the definition of pure (in Science) which is likely to be different to what they have encountered in everyday language. The next task gets the students to draw a graph showing the melting and boiling points of pure water. This will enable them to compare the melting point against that of an impure substance and therefore recognise that this difference can be used as point to decide on purity. An example of gritting is used to explain how this change in melting point can be utilised and then the students are challenged to apply this new-found knowledge to the situation of adding salt to boiling water when making pasta. The remainder of the lesson focuses on some famous mixtures. Beginning with air, students will be able to visualise how this mixture is made of a number of gases, each with different boiling points which allows them to be separated by fractional distillation. Alloys are briefly explored so that students know why these mixtures are used for certain functions over pure metals and the summary passage for this task has been differentiated two ways so that all can access the work. Progress checks have been written into the lesson at regular intervals so that students can check their understanding and a range of quick quiz competitions are used to maintain engagement whilst introducing new terms in a fun manner.
If you want to look into alloys in greater detail, then this lesson could be combined with the one named “alloys” which is also uploaded.
This fully-resourced lesson describes the key steps in the process of DNA replication, including the role of DNA polymerase. Both the detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 2.11 (i) of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Biology A specification and this lesson also explains why this replication is known as semi-conservative in order to prepare the students for the following lesson on Meselson and Stahl’s experiment.
The main focus of this lesson is the role of DNA polymerase in the formation of the growing nucleotide strands but the students will also learn that the hydrogen bonds between nucleotide bases are broken by DNA helicase and that DNA ligase joins the nucleic acid fragments. Time is taken to explain key details, such as the assembly of strands in the 5’-to-3’ direction, so that the continuous manner in which the leading strand is synthesised can be compared against that of the lagging strand. The students are constantly challenged to make links to previous topics such as DNA structure and hydrolysis reactions through a range of exam questions and answers are displayed so that any misconceptions are quickly addressed. The main task of the lesson asks the students to use the information provided in the lesson to order the sequence of events in DNA replication before discussing how the presence of a conserved strand and a newly built strand in each new DNA molecule shows that it is semi-conservative.
All 4 of the lessons that are included in this bundle are fully-resourced and contain a wide range of activities that will motivate and engage the students whilst covering the content as detailed in topic 4 of the CIE A-level Biology specification (Cell membranes and transport).
Exam-style questions which check on current and prior understanding, differentiated tasks, discussion points and quick quiz competitions cover the following specification points:
The fluid mosaic model of membrane structure
The roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, glycoproteins and proteins
The roles of channel and carrier proteins
Simple diffusion
Facilitated diffusion
Active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis
Osmosis and the effect of the movement of water on animal and plant cells
If you would like to sample the quality of these lessons, download the active transport lesson as this has been uploaded for free
This bundle contains 7 fully-resourced and detailed lessons that have been designed to cover the content of topic 14.1 of the CIE A-level Biology specification (for assessment in 2025-27) which concerns homeostasis in mammals. The wide range of activities included in each lesson will engage the students whilst the detailed content is covered and the understanding and previous knowledge checks allow them to assess their progress on the current topic as well as challenging them to make links to other related topics. Many of the tasks are differentiated to allow differing abilities to access the work and be challenged.
Specification points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are covered by these lessons
If you want to see the quality of the lessons before purchasing then the lesson on osmoregulation is a free resource to download
A highly engaging lesson presentation (74 slides) and accompanying worksheets that uses exam questions (with explained answers), quick tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their understanding of the topic of Biological molecules (Topic 3.1). Students will have fun whilst recognising those areas of the specification which need further attention.
An engaging lesson presentation (48 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit P4 (Atomic structure) of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification (specification point P6.4).
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
The structure of an atom
Isotopes
Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation
Nuclear equations
Half-lives
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “It’s as easy as ABG” and “ALPHA or BETA” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
A fun and engaging lesson presentation (33 slides) and associated worksheet that uses exam questions, with fully explained answers, quick tasks and competitions to allow students to assess their understanding of Module 3.1.2 (Transport in Animals). The students will enjoy the lesson whilst being able to recognise which areas of the specification need further attention. Competitions included in the lesson are “SPOT THE ERROR”, “Where’s Lenny” and “Crack the code”
An engaging lesson presentation (61 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit B5 (Genes, inheritance and selection) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Biology specification
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Sexual and asexual reproduction
Meiosis
Dominant and recessive alleles
Genetic crosses
The history of genetics
Natural selection
Classification systems
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “Number CRAZY" and “Which Scientist is hidden?” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This fully-resourced REVISION LESSON has been designed to provide the students with numerous opportunities to assess their understanding of the content of module 5.2.2 (Respiration) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification. The importance of this metabolic reaction is obvious and this is reflected in the volume of questions in the terminal exams which require an in depth knowledge of the stages of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
The lesson contains a wide range of activities that cover the following points of the specification:
Glycolysis as a stage of aerobic and anaerobic respiration
The use and production of ATP through respiration
Anaerobic respiration in mammalian muscle tissue
The stages of aerobic respiration that occur in the mitochondrial matrix
Oxidative phosphorylation
The use of respirometers
Calculating the respiratory quotient value for different respiratory substrates
Revision lessons which cover the other sub-modules of module 5 are uploaded and tie in well with this content
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within Topic C2 (Inorganic chemistry) of the Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry specification which has its’ first assessment in 2019.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Group 1 (alkali metals)
Group 7 (halogens)
Gases in the atmosphere
Reactivity series
Extraction and uses of metals
Acids, alkalis and titrations
Chemical tests
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 assessment. The detail of this lesson means that it could be used over a number of lessons at school so that each topic is covered in sufficient depth.
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 (Particle model of matter) of the AQA Trilogy GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Density of materials
Changes of state
Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity
Changes of heat and specific latent heat
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 revision lesson has been designed to challenge the students on their use of a range of mathematical skills that could be assessed on the AQA GCSE Combined Science papers. The mathematical element of the AQA GCSE Combined Science course has increased significantly since the specification change and therefore success in those questions which involve the use of maths can prove to be the difference between one grade and another or possibly even more.
The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain a wide range of activities that include exam-style questions with displayed mark schemes and explanations so that students can assess their progress. Other activities include differentiated tasks, class discussion points and quick quiz competitions such as “YOU DO THE MATH” and “FILL THE VOID”.
The following mathematical skills (in a scientific context) are covered in this lesson:
The use of Avogadro’s constant
Rearranging the formula of an equation
Calculating the amount in moles using mass and relative formula mass
Calculating the relative formula mass for formulae with brackets
Using the Periodic Table to calculate the number of sub-atomic particles in atoms
Changes to electrons in ions
Balancing chemical symbol equations
Converting between units
Calculating concentration in grams per dm cubed and volumes of solutions
Calculating size using the magnification equation
Using the mean to estimate the population of a sessile species
Calculating percentages to prove the importance of biodiversity
Calculating percentage change
Calculating the acceleration from a velocity-time graph
Recalling and applying the Physics equations
Understanding prefixes that determine size
Leaving answers to significant figures and using standard form
Helpful hints and step-by-step guides are used throughout the lesson to support the students and some of the worksheets are differentiated two ways to provide extra assistance.
Due to the detail of this lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 hours of GCSE teaching time to cover the tasks and for this reason it can be used over a number of lessons as well as during different times of the year for revision.
This extensive revision lesson challenges students on their knowledge and understanding of the content of topics 5 - 8 of the AQA A-level specification. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain a selection of tasks which challenge the following points:
Directional, stabilising and disruptive selection
Saltatory conduction and other factors affecting conductance speed
The structure of a motor neurone
Sensory receptors, depolarisation and initiation of an action potential
Hardy-Weinberg principle
Genetic terminology
Codominance and sex-linkage
Autosomal linkage
Chi-squared test
Phosphorylation
The stages of aerobic respiration
Explaining lower ATP yields in anaerobic respiration
Skeletal muscle contraction
Structure and function of slow and fast twitch muscle fibres
The control of heart rate
Electrophoresis and genetic fingerprinting
The secondary messenger model
The students are tested through a variety of tasks including exam questions, understanding checks, and quiz rounds to maintain engagement. Due to the mathematical content in all A-level exams, there is also a focus on these skills. The answers to all questions are embedded into the PowerPoint so students can use this resource outside of the classroom.
The delivery of the whole lesson will likely need at least 2 or 3 hours of contact time so this resource could be used with students in the final weeks building up to their paper 2 exam, or alternatively with students before their mocks on these topics.
This bundle of 5 revision lessons covers the specification content which can be assessed in Paper 2 of the Edexcel GCSE Biology qualification.
The topics covered within this bundle are:
Topic 1: Key concepts in Biology
Topic 6: Plant structures and functions
Topic 7: Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals
Topic 9: Ecosystems and material cycles
All of the lessons have been written to include a range of activities to engage the students whilst enabling them to assess and evaluate their content knowledge so that they address any areas which need further attention.
This fully-resourced revision lesson consists of an engaging PowerPoint and differentiated resources which together challenge the students on their knowledge of the Key concepts in Physics, which are detailed in topic 1 of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics specification . The content in this topic is particularly important because it will be assessed in both paper 1 and paper 2 of the terminal exams.
The lesson has been filled with a wide range of activities which test the following specification points:
Recall and use the SI units for physical quantities
Recall and use multiples and sub-multiples of units
Be able to convert between different units
Use significant figures and standard form#
To fall in line with the heavy mathematical content of this specification, the main task of the lesson challenges the students to carry out a range of calculations where they have to convert between units and leave their answers in a specific form.