I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
A power point presentation introducing the concept that pathogens are constantly evolving against treatments we have.
Students discuss how HIV and TB have managed to evade detection by the immune system
Article about people who have protection against the HIV virus (CCR5 gene) with questions.
Exam questions
A series of revision mats to compliment the IGCSE edexcel syllabus. Each revision mat consists of examination style questions to challenge knowledge and understanding.
For best results, I photocopy onto A3 paper.
Can be used to complete a topic or revision for test/exams.
Edexcel Spec link 6.7 (i) (ii)
An introduction to how bacteria are able to spread from one person to another. We then look at how the body protects itself against pathogen entry. This is a circus activity where students gather information from around the room (cards provided). Finally we research how bacteria cause the disease with endotoxins and exotoxins.
This resource focuses on Edexcel specification link 6.11
It introduces the different types of immunity.
There is a video resource and questions to check understanding.
The information cards can be printed and put around room for students to collect information to make it more interactive. I was short on time so I went through them on the board as students made their own notes.
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 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.
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 power point which introduces the structure and function of the parts of a flower. Students then analyse the differences between the insect and wind pollinated flowers. There is a brief explanation of fertilisation and formation of the pollen tube. Finally looking at asexual and sexual reproduction in plants.
The power point contains the whole lesson and it is easy for the teacher to follow the plan of the lesson with tasks for students clearly highlighted and check points to ensure learning.
I have used a ppt slide from the author clickbiology as I think it is one of the best slides on flower structure I have seen.
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
A complete lesson focusing on the following points in the specification.
Understand the structure of chloroplasts in relation to their role in photosynthesis
Understand what is meant by action spectrum and absorption spectrum
Understand how the chlorophyll pigments can be separated by chromatography.
A variety of activities to promote discussion and learning.
Specification link: 1.2 (a) know the differences between monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides including glycogen and starch
In this lesson, students will learn the structures of common monosaccharides and how they combine in a condensation reaction to form disaccharides. Polysacchrides are mentioned briefly but they are studied in more detail next lesson (spec link 1.2 b)
There are opportunities for independent learning as students determine the structure of monosaccharides and practice drawing the reaction between common monosaccharides labelling the bond and type of reaction.
I have included an exam question for practice.
A PPT complete lesson which focuses on specification link:
1.1 understand the importance of water as a solvent in transport, including its dipole nature
The power point includes independent learning activities where students must find what a dipole molecule is.
There is a boardworks slide to explain what a solvent is and students use this to form their notes. Please note, this is an interactive slide and you must have enabled macros on PPT and have update flash for it to work.
The terms cohesion and adhesion are introduced.
I have included a brief exam question which links directly to the spec link.
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
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 lesson introducing the reactions for the build up and break down of ATP in cells including its uses and why it is the universal energy currency of a cell.
I have also included 3 exam questions to test students knowledge. Mark scheme included.
2 complete lessons introducing enthalpy changes. By the end of the lesson students should:
Know that enthalpy is the heat change measured at a constant pressure and state the standard conditions
Be able to define what we mean by standard enthalpy of a reaction
Be able to construct and interpret enthalpy level diagrams showing an energy change
Lesson includes discussion points and questions to check understanding.
Specification link: 1.5 know how triglycerides are synthesised and describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated lipids
A complete lesson promoting independent learning. I have provided 2 videos that students watch and extract relevant information to complete a worksheet. I suggest it is printed on A3 paper.
Teacher - student discussion over main points ensures an understanding of the topic.
A quiz of exam questions with a time limit.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.