I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This is a resource aimed at the NEW AQA GCSE Biology specification, developed to meet learning outcomes within the 'Infection & Response' unit.
This lesson is part of a 12 lesson bundle for the NEW 'Infection & Response' Unit, found in my TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins by describing the process by which a bacteria may become resistant to an antibiotic.
Pupils will then watch a storyboard animation which demonstrates this process visually. Pupils can then use this animation to create their own storyboard, including diagrams and captions, to represent the process of natural selection in bacteria which leads to antibiotic resistance.
The focus of the lesson is then on MRSA, a few real-life headlines are given as an example of an antibiotic resistant bacteria. Pupils will brainstorm what sorts of methods hospitals employ to reduce the spread of such 'super bugs'.
The final activity is for pupils to completed questions on antibiotic resistance and how to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as MRSA. The mark scheme for the questions are included on the Power Point presentation for students to mark their own work or peer-assess.
The plenary is a recap on the learning outcomes, pupils will need to assess whether they are R/A/G.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Bioenergetics' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an introduction of the process of aerobic respiration including the word equations that pupils will need to learn. Next is a video, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching the video, once it is finished they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils are then introduced to the idea that aerobic respiration is exothermic and look specifically at the ultra-structure of the cell and which parts are important for respiration, this activity is a match up activity that pupils can complete and then mark.
A mid-plenary is a true or false task and the final activity is a levelled worksheet pupils will complete using information cards on how animal and plant organisms use the energy released by respiration. Once finished they can self-assess using the mark scheme on the PowerPoint slides.
Pupils have a choice of two activities to complete for their plenary - either an anagram challenge or a summary sentence using a list of key words.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with students given some pictures of a range of people that look differently to one another, students will need to think > pair > share what the differences are between these people and the reasons why they look different to each other.
Pupils will then be introduced to the difference between examples of inherited and environmental characteristics. Firstly pupils will focus on inherited characteristics, the students will need to complete a mind map in their books of the traits they have inherited from their parents (or from grandparents). As an extra challenge pupils can consider why they do not look identical to either parent.
The next task will focus on environmental characteristics, pupils will need to draw a table in their books and they will need to sort examples of environmental factors with the type of environmental variation they cause into the table correctly. This work can be self-assessed once it is is complete using the answers provided.
For the next activity pupils will be given a card sort of different examples of variation, e.g. height, freckles, eye colour, tattoos. Pupils will need to sort these cards into a Venn diagram in their books - just inherited variation, just environmental variation or potentially caused by both. This work can be self-assessed once it is complete.
The next part of the lesson focuses on types of data - continuous or discontinuous. Pupils are firstly shown the difference between the two and then they will need to complete a worksheet to assess their understanding on this. Once completed the worksheet can be self or peer assessed.
The final task is for pupils to get into teams (or be sorted by the teacher into teams) and they work their way around the room filling in information about themselves for different types of traits (e.g. handedness, foot length, whether they can roll their tongue). Pupils will assigned one trait each and will need to produce a graph of the class results. This will test their understanding of continuous vs. discontinuous data and how this should be represented in a graph format.
The plenary task is for pupils to consider a world where there was no variation and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this world, trying to use some of the key words provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a focus on mutations and how they contribute towards genetic variation within a population. Pupils can tag read some information provided in the board and then answer questions in their books, this work can be self-assessed against the mark scheme provided.
The next activity involves pupils watching a video about natural selection, using the video they will need to answer questions which again can be self-assessed using the success criteria provided.
Pupils will then be shown a slide which demonstrates, with the example of giraffes, how natural selection can ensue within a population of organisms over time. Pupils will then be given a cartoon strip to show how natural selection occurs, they can draw diagrams of any organism they wish to choose and will need to fill in the blanks for the captions below each stage in the process. This work can be self-assessed one complete.
The next task pupils need to complete is a card sort describing the steps involved with how head lice become resistant to head lice shampoos, pupils can discuss in pairs to complete this task. Once complete the answers will be revealed, for higher ability pupils they can draw this as a flow diagram in their books as an extension.
The final activity is a past-paper question, pupils can complete this in their books. For higher ability pupils you could demand silence and ask for it to be completed at the back of their books as a revision activity, for lower ability pupils you may allow discussion with a partner.
The plenary activity involves pupils being provided with the answers to 5 questions, pupils need to think of 5 questions which may link to these answers.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW and for higher tier students.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a recap of normal body temperature and what happens if the temperature falls above or below this temperature. Pupils will also be introduced to the role of the thermoregulatory centre and thermoregulatory receptors in monitoring body temperature.
Pupils are then asked to discuss and produce a list of mechanisms that helps the body to cool down on a hot day. This leads onto describe the role of sweating and vasodilation in cooling the body down. Pupils are then asked to consider what they think might happen if the body becomes too cold and again produce a list of mechanisms which might help warm it up. Using the PowerPoint slides the mechanisms of shivering and vasoconstriction will be demonstrated to pupils. Using this information pupils will need to copy and complete a flow diagram to demonstrate the role of thermoregulatory centre in controlling body temperature, this can be self-assessed once it has been completed.
Pupils will now copy and label a diagram of the skin to show the position of sweat glands, hair, hair muscle and blood vessels, this can be marked once it has been completed.
The next activity is for pupils to sort statements into two columns - one describing what happens when the body is too hot and one for when the body is too cold. Once completed the mark scheme can be used by pupils to self or peer-assess their work.
The final activity is a 6-mark exam-style question on this topic, pupils should try and complete this in silence and at the back of their books to really test their knowledge of this topic. Once complete the mark scheme can be used for pupils to mark their own work.
The plenary task is for pupils to pick a summary question of their choice from the two provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA AS-level Biology course, particularly the ‘Organisms & their Environment’ module.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA A-level Biology course please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
A-Level lesson format: I teach in more of a lecture style compared to GCSE. In the majority of my A-level lessons the beginning portion of the lesson is mainly teacher-led, where students are expected to take notes onto a handout/in their books. This is then mixed in with student-led activities, as well as questions and exam prep.
You will find some of my slides have blank spaces for you to add more detail/descriptions/explanations. If you look at the ‘Notes’ section underneath each of these slides, you will find additional content which you can add in as you teach!
This lesson on the human gas exchange system begins with a review of gas exchange in plant leaves and insects, and the adaptations each have made in order to reduce water loss.
The first task is to fill in the blanks in a paragraph describing gas exchange in mammals, particularly humans. Answers are on the following slide for self-assessment.
Students are then introduced, slide by slide, to the features of human’s gas exchange system including the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles and alveoli. Each slide has a diagram, description of the feature, and explanation of its role in gas exchange.
The next task is to list the features of the efficient gas-exchange system in humans, at the epithelium of the alveoli. The adaptations of the alveoli are then expanded upon over the next few slides. Students will use the included worksheet to describe the on the ways which surface area, a permeable barrier, a thin barrier and maintenance of diffusion gradient make for efficient gas exchange.
The plenary for this lesson is an anagram challenge! Students can uptake an extra challenge and define each unscrambled word as well.
All resources are included. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 16 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Infection & Response’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Health & Wellness (2 lessons)
Pathogens & Disease
Preventing infections
Defence mechanisms
Antibiotics & painkillers
Vaccination
Bacterial & viral diseases
Fungal & protist diseases
Cancer
Antibiotic Resistance
Drug Trials
Smoking
Alcohol
FREE HIGHER TIER LESSONS INCLUDED:
14. Growing Bacteria
15. Monoclonal Antibodies
16. Plant diseases and responses
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, 6-mark exam questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks. A few of the lessons contain extra resources at the end of the PowerPoint presentations which could be used as homework material.
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Organisation’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
1. Principles of organisation
2. Enzymes
3. The human digestive system
4. Digestive enzymes
5. The heart
6. The blood
7. Blood vessels
8. Helping the heart
9. Breathing & gas exchange
10. Plant tissues & organs
11. Transport in plants
12. Evaporation & transpiration
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, extra challenge tasks, 6-mark exam questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 9 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Organisation’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
1. Plants tissues & organs
2. Photosynthesis
3. Products of photosynthesis
4. The rate of photosynthesis (limiting factors)
5. Making the most of photosynthesis
6. Aerobic Respiration
7. Anaerobic Respiration
8. The response to exercise
9. Metabolism and the liver
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, extra challenge tasks, exam-style questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Molecules & Matter’ unit for the NEW AQA Physics Specification.
Lessons include:
Atoms & Radiation
The Development of the Nuclear Model
Radioactive Decay
Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation
Half-life & Radioactivity
Nuclear Radiation & Medicine
Nuclear Fission & Nuclear Fusion
Dangers of Radiation
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a quick recap from the previous lesson on the cause and control of diabetes, pupils will need to copy and complete sentences in their books, which can then be self-assessed. Next pupils are given detailed posters of information on the treatments available to patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Pupils will need to read through these posters in pairs/on a table and answer the questions on the PowerPoint slide. Once finished, pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
Pupils will now focus on the advantages and disadvantages of different medical cures for type 1 diabetes. In pairs they will be given a set of cards informing them of new advances in treatments available to patients with type 1 diabetes and they will need to create a summary table to weight up the pro’s and con’s of each treatment.
The final activity is an exam question on what pupils have learnt so far that lesson, this is accompanied with a mark scheme which pupils can use to mark their work.
The plenary activity is an anagram challenge, pupils need to unscramble the letters to spell a key word from the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes, electrolysis and energy changes’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly need to brainstorm ideas about the uses of aluminium, they can discuss their ideas with their partners and complete a mind map in their books. Some examples can then be revealed using the PowerPoint slide and pupils can check how many they got right, filling in any they may have missed.
Pupils will then watch a video on the extraction of aluminium, students will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the video. Their work can be self-assessed using the answers provided. Students will then need to summarise what they have learnt so far by completing a fill-in-the-blank task, students can check their work agaisnt the mark scheme provided.
Next, students will be given a diagram of the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, pupils will need to complete this diagram by selecting the correct captions from a list provided on the board. Students can then check their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint.
The next task is a progress check, students will need to answer questions to assess their knowledge of what they have learnt so far this lesson. Pupils can then self or peer-assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary task is a 3-2-1 task, pupils will need to write 3 facts, 2 key words and one question to assess their peers knowledge of the topics covered this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA AS-level Biology course, particularly the ‘Biological Molecules’ module.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA A-level Biology course please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
A-Level lesson format: I teach in more of a lecture style compared to GCSE. In the majority of my A-level lessons the beginning portion of the lesson is mainly teacher-led, where students are expected to take notes onto a handout/in their books. This is then mixed in with student-led activities, as well as questions and exam prep.
You will find some of my slides have blank spaces for you to add more detail/descriptions/explanations. If you look at the ‘Notes’ section underneath each of these slides, you will find additional content which you can add in as you teach!
This lesson begins with a starter discussion to explain the effect temperature has on enzymes. Students should explain why they think many enzymes cannot function at over 60 degrees celcius.
Then, go on to teach students the inhibitor classifications and their functions through three slides containing definitions and diagrams. Students then have an opportunity to identify competitive and non-competitive inhibitors as a class through two easy diagrams.
Students will then be asked to complete “worksheet 1” independently, in order to practise diagramming competitive and non-competitive inhibition with complete definitions, on their own. The answers are displayed on the following slide so students may self-assess, or you may choose to have them assess each-others’ work in partners. You can find worksheet 1 at the end of the PowerPoint on slide 17.
The following slide explains substrate concentration and reaction rate with competitive, and then non-competitive inhibition. Students should use worksheet 2 (slide 18 of the PowerPoint) to take notes and answer the questions independently.
When worksheet 2 is complete, define potassium cyanide and encourage a discussion between pairs about the danger of cyanide.
Students should then complete the exam style questions from slide 19 and self-assess. If necessary, leave time for questions and discussion.
The lesson concludes with a plenary task which asks students to write a tweet demonstrating what they’ve learned, their tweet should be no more than 140 characters and include #keywords.
All resources are included. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson starts by pupils watching a video about the organs and hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, during which time they will need to answer questions on their worksheet. This work can then be red-pen assessed once they have finished.
Pupils are then shown a set of diagrams which goes through the steps involved in the menstrual cycle, using the diagrams pupils are asked to discuss in pairs what they think is happening. After a short class discussion pupils will be given the series of diagrams and a set of jumbled statements, they will need to match the statements to the correct diagram to accurately describe what is happening in the menstrual cycle. **For higher ability pupils you may want to just give them a set of key words for them to write their own statements below the diagrams**.
To summarise the role of each of the hormones in the menstrual cycle the next activity is a table and a set of key words, pupils need to fill in the blanks using the key words to correctly describe the role of each hormone. This can be assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next activity is a true or false activity on what pupils have learnt about this lesson, the plenary activity is a past-paper question on the hormone levels during pregnancy. The mark scheme for both these activities is provided for pupils to red-pen their work.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first part of the lesson focuses on outlining the importance of carbon within the living world, where we might find it in our bodies and the world around us. The first task pupils will be asked to complete is a mind map of the processes they think will add or remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. Pupils can discuss in pairs and once complete the answers can be revealed for pupils to assess their work.
The next task is for pupils to watch a video about greenhouse gases, there are a set of questions pupils will be given which they need to answer whilst watching the video. Once this task is complete pupils can assess their work using the answers provided.
The next task is a fill-in-the-blanks task, pupils are given a paragraph about the role of carbohydrates in animals and plants, they need to complete this using the key words provided. Once completed pupils can assess their work using the answers provided.
Pupils will then watch a video about the carbon cycle which details the process involved, once the students have watched the video they will be given a worksheet which they need to complete using the captions provided on the PowerPoint slide. Lower ability students may want to complete this as a group & could perhaps complete whilst the video is playing to assist them. Once they have completed the task pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The next task may be better suited to higher ability pupils, a set of cards images and captions are provided per pupil and they need to use this to construct their own carbon cycle in their books. Higher ability pupils may want to test their knowledge and turn to their back page to complete this without looking at their previous work
The last task is for pupils to consider the future and how we may be able to implement strategies to help reduce our carbon emissions in order to combat global warming. Pupils are to discuss possible methods/strategies we could use and mind map their ideas in their books.
The plenary task is for pupils to turn to the back of their books and write down a description of as many processes which contribute to the carbon cycle as possible.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Bioenergetics’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Firstly pupils are asked to consider why organisms may not be able to continuously carry out aerobic respiration. They can discuss in pairs and then as a class and be introduced to the idea of anaerobic respiration. They will fill then complete a fill-in-the-blank task to sum up this process.
Pupils will then watch a video where they will answer questions about anaerobic respiration, their answers can be checked against the mark scheme provided.
Now pupils are introduced to the idea of oxygen debt, they are given an information card in pairs (for lower ability classes you may want to tag read this as a class) and then pupils will need to answer questions about this information. They can talk about in partners, once finished they can self or peer assess their work.
Finally the different products of anaerobic respiration that are made in different organisms are highlighted, it is touched upon in the video but this is clear slide to show anaerobic respiration in plants, bacteria and yeast.
Pupils will complete some exam-style questions to assess their knowledge of this topic, can be answered in the back of their books to fully test them! Pupils can then mark their own work using the mark scheme provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Rates of Reaction’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with a ‘Think > Pair > Share’ task whereby students need to consider what it means for a reaction to be in ‘equilibrium’ . After a class discussion, the definition of a reversible reaction (in a closed system) to be at equilibrium is revealed to the class, which they can note down in their books.
This is further explained using a set of diagrams to depict what happens to the concentration of reactants and products during the course of a reversible reaction. Students can sketch a graph into their book to show how the equilibrium of a reversible reaction is reached.
The next task focuses on ‘Le Chatelier’s Principle’, students are firstly introduced to the idea that the equilibrium of a reversible reaction can be altered by changing the conditions of that reaction, i.e. an increase in temperature. Students will then be shown a set of demonstrations (video links included) for each they will need to note down their observations, identify the conditions which are changing and match the correct reaction to the correct word equation. Pupils will complete a worksheet for this task, which will be assessed using the mark scheme provided.
For the next part of the lesson, students will watch a video on the effect of pressure on equilibrium and answer a set of questions. These questions can be self-assessed using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Students will now ‘Think > Pair > Share’ the effect of an increase in temperature on the equilibrium of a reversible reaction, the answer is then revealed to pupils using an example. Pupils will now complete a ‘Quick Check’ task where they will be required to answer a set of questions about the reversible reactions and the effect of altering conditions on dynamic equilibrium. Pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Finally, students will need to complete a summary sheet on the effect of pressure and temperature on the equilibrium of a reversible reactions, students can self assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary task requires pupils to write down three sentences to summarise what they have learnt in today’s lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 10 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
1. Atoms, elements, compounds & mixtures
2. Chemical reactions & equations
3. Separating mixtures
4. The structure of the atom
5. The development of the atomic model
6. Electronic configuration
7. Mendeleev and the periodic table
8. Group 1: The alkali metals
9. Group 7: The halogens
10. Group 0: The noble gases
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, exam questions and extra challenge tasks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Earth’s Atmosphere’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
The History & Evolution of Our Atmosphere
The Greenhouse Effect
Global Climate Change
Atmospheric Pollutants
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with a definition on biodiversity, pupils are shown a pie chart of the numbers of different groups of organisms that have been identified to date. The first task is for pupils to consider which numbers correspond to which groups of organisms. Once pupils have discussed in pairs or groups the answers will be revealed, pupils can check their work against the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on how and why scientists quantify biodiversity, pupils are firstly asked why it might be important to map out biodiversity - they can discuss in groups before the answer is revealed on the PowerPoint presentation.
A map of the world depicting certain biodiversity hotspots is then shown to students and they are asked a couple of question about this map, pupils will be required to answer these questions in their books and then self-assess their work using the answers provided.
Pupils are then asked to think > pair > share their ideas on why it is important to maintain biodiversity, in groups pupils may be given an A3 sheet for them to mind map their ideas onto. Once finished each group can feedback their ideas to the class and a larger mind map could be completed on the white board. Some of the key reasons for maintaining biodiversity cant then be detailed on the PowerPoint presentation for students to assess their work.
The last task is for pupils to use information posters placed around the room to answer a set of questions, all on the topic of maintaining biodiversity. Once pupils have spent a good amount of time writing their answers down they should sit in their seats and use the mark scheme provided on the PowerPoint presentation to peer-assess their work.
The plenary activity is for pupils to draw a feedback grid in their partners books and write down one positive comment, one negative comment and a question to test their knowledge.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)