NEW AQA GCSE Trilogy (2016) Biology - Evolution by natural selection

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 :)