A formative assessment task which can take 2 lessons or be set as a homework. I set this before the end of topic test to allow students time to clarify the ideas behind the unit. Students can use their text books and tablets but the work must be explained in their own words. I have included the criteria to include in the poster and the mark scheme which would be used to grade the work. This works well as a peer assessment as well as a teacher assessed task.

A power point full lesson allowing students to understand the role of photosynthesis in producing glucose for energy storage. Student should be able to understand the process of photosynthesis and its importance in the conversion of light energy to chemical energy Write a word and balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis Describe adaptations of a leaf for efficient photosynthesis There is a six mark exam question and mark scheme for self/peer assessment.

A PPT which introduces the role of both xylem and phloem. The first activity is a research activity (8 minutes) where students use resources available to determine characteristics and roles of phloem and xylem. The next 20 minutes is a circus of activities with microscope work (drawing xylem and phloem); observing dye in celery; dendrochronology (tree rings) and transpiration and translocation.

A lesson which explores the effect of exercise and heart rate on the body. Students learn how to calculate cardiac output. The power point explores the role of the cardiovascular control centre. Students complete a diagram showing how both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems can increase/decrease the heart rate depending on blood pressure, need for oxygen and glucose. There is a little practical activity when students observe the effect of adrenaline on heart rate and how quickly heart rate changes.

This PPT introduces the idea that it is difficult to assess the relative contribution of both genes and the environment to disease. It introduces some examples of how genes and the environment interact e.g. siamese cat colour; oncogenes. This lesson is for promoting class discussion rather than many individual activities. I have included an exam question and mark scheme in the PPT This is an A level lesson but would be suitable for a high ability GCSE to promote discussion.

A PPT with complete lesson with different activities to introduce the idea of surface area and volume and how it is affected by the size of an organism. Activities include - calculating the surface area and volume of 3 cubes; explaining why certain cells/organs have a large surface area. There is also an edexcel IGCSE exam question and mark scheme for self assessment.

A complete lesson with worksheets and exam questions/answers which introduces the reflex arc. There are simple animations which show the route of the impulse. Synapses are not covered in detail as they are not needed for double award syllabus (edexcel IGCSE).

A lesson which introduces the idea of electrical activity in the heart, including the roles of SAN; AVN and bundles of His. It also includes how to interpret an ECG. This a complete lesson - possibly could take 2 lessons. It contains worksheets, video clips and exam questions. All answers provided in PPT so students can self assess their own work.

A PPT which includes all the activities of the lesson. Starter activity - students watch a brief video of sprinting and discuss what type of muscle fibres are likely to be present. The presentation takes them through the process of anaerobic respiration and there are check points along the way which promote discussion and check understanding. Finally, exam questions and mark scheme for self/peer assessment.

A PPT which takes students through the process of Glycolysis, Link reaction and Krebs cycle. There are notes on the PPT that will help students understand each step and they can annotate their diagram. There are exam questions to ensure student understanding. Plus videos from youtube to help explain the process of respiration.

A lesson which introduces the role of auxin in both phototropism and geotropism. I have included 2 video links on youtube and an exam question. There are 2 tasks which allow the students to develop their understanding of how plants respond to stimuli and how auxin works in roots and shoots.

AS Biology lesson on the process of fertilisation in flowering plants from pollen tube formation to fusion of nuclei. Contains a useful video I found on youtube which explains the process. I have also included a starter activity of labelling the plant parts (IGCSE) and an exam question with mark scheme for self assessment activity.

This is a 2 part lesson for muscle contraction. It introduces actin-myosin interactions in the sliding filament theory. I have included some PPT slides from boardworks which highlight this interaction very well. I have also included 2 videos from youtube which I find very helpful. The crash course video can be used in either lesson 1 or 2. The Biology ATP Myosin video is a resource I use along slide the boardworks presentation on muscle contraction where students use both resources and their books to produce a flow chart or bullet points explain what occurs in the sarcomere. There is also an exam question at the end of lesson 2. *please note that you will need to enable macros on PPT to allow boardworks to be interactive

Power point focuses on: Recalling the way in which muscles, tendons, the skeleton and ligaments interact to enable movement. Explain the effects of no exercise and too much exercise on the body. There is an edexcel exam question focusing on the effects of exercise.

A power point to aid students understanding of breathing and the pressure/volume differences that occur during inhalation and exhalation. This links directly to the edexcel syllabus - 2.47 understand the role of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in ventilation. I have included a worksheet from edexcel AS biology to calculate the surface area of the lungs as a starter activity. Also included is the video on breathing by TedEd which gives a nice introduction to the process and also links into respiration. Plenary - edexcel exam questions

This is a whole lesson on a power point slide. I have included a recap of the root hair cell. Students will then watch the video on transpiration to give an overall idea of how water and minerals are transported to the leaves. I have set a mini research task for students to find out how water and mineral ions enters the root hair cell and passes to the xylem. Finally - 2 exam questions (grade 5 - 8)

An excellent article to use with Edexcel unit 4 Forensics and time of death. It details what happens at each stage of death and succession of insects. I have included a series of questions which would make an excellent homework

A PPT presentation which explains how pharmacogenomics is being developed as a new tool in treating disease. It links directly to A2 Biology Edexcel specification “discuss how the outcomes of the human genome project are being used to develop new drugs and the social, moral and ethical issues this raises”. I have also included scenarios that students can discuss, developing an absolutist and relativist point of view for both.

A PPT with information regarding the 2 types of fibres. Students collect information about the fibres from around the room (included in PPT) and complete a table stating the differences. They can then use their knowledge to predict the types of fibres found in different animal muscles. There is an exam question and mark scheme to determine understanding of subject material. I have included the lesson plan I provided when I was observed so feel free to tweak it to suit your group.

A PowerPoint which explains the difference between bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal antibiotics. It includes simple activities of students collecting information from cards around the room. There is also an exam question to check knowledge. Brief video explaining the difference and then students collect information from cards and internet