Used with a high ability year 10 group (and year 11 for revision)

Used with a high ability year 13 class over a series of lessons to cover: - Types of neurone - Action potentials - Synapses - Skeletal muscle

Powerpoint and Comprehension activity used with a high ability year 11 class.

A mock paper which I have put together for our year 13 students - taking questions from a variety of years and syllabuses to avoid the usual learning of mark schemes which I tend to encounter!!

Produced for gifted and talented KS2 students to spark aspiration, and develop skills. As this is open-ended it could be used with students of any ability, as it has scaffolds and prompts to support thinking and investigation if needed. Could be used over a long period of time, to drop in and out of, or as holiday homework. There are 10 challenges, which can be completed individually in isolation, as a complete set, and in any order. A range of topics are included to develop a wider range of skills, and to capture student interest.

Year 9 OCR GCSE Biology. Practical - stomach acid contents made by science technicians so students may complete a Benedict's test, Sudan (III) stain and Biuret reagent

Science and history of disease lesson. Focus on John Snow and cholera. Used with a high ability and creative Year 7 class.

Used with high ability iGCSE Chemistry class. Notes on Diamond, Graphite (and Buckminster Fullerene) and Silicon dioxide. Students highlight and annotate this whilst looking at models of these structures and discussing them as a class. Use the information sheet as a comprehension activity by setting key questions [e.g. why does graphite conduct electricity but diamond does not?]

Lesson designed for Year 9 iGCSE class, high ability. Lesson plan and worksheets all included. Starter: As students enter the room, pictures laid out on the tables. Can they work out the lesson topic? Main: 4 stations set up around the room for students to consider the causes, effects, solutions to acid rain and an intro to Indicator species. Plenary: Used a word loop on acid rain and the greenhouse effect, found on Tes. Graded Outstanding

Biology lesson on theme of Conservation Starter: images printed on the tables.Students to link these to previous learning (human impact on the environment, population) and try to decipher the topic of the lesson. True/false activity - students write 1-6 in the back of their books and decide whether each statement is true or false. At the end of the session, revisit this task and allow them to change answers. Then go through altogether and see who has improved their understanding since they first did this.Amazing way to show progress! Main: group activity, each group given information pack on a species, and they work to answer the questions in the presentation and design a conservation program. Comprehension activity to consolidate learning. Plenary: conservation loop game to be completed in small groups, good competition! This lesson was graded as OUTSTANDING.

Year 7 Science lesson with cross-curricular themes. Practical where students are given a sample of muddy water and need to consider how they would clean this. After having an initial brainstorm, then give them the equipment and see if they can use this to draft their method. Link to citizenship, as students consider the work of Water Aid, and the global issue and consequences that arise from lack of clean drinking water. Very thought provoking lesson, and encourages students to think deeply on the subject matter. Students really enjoyed the challenge of this lesson. Was rated outstanding by observer.

Year 7 Science lesson - theme of exploration. As they enter the classroom there are an array of items spread out on their desks. I used opera glasses, a fossil collection, a meat thermometer, heart rate monitor, etc. The aim is to get them to brainstorm their thoughts, which focus on what we already know, rather than asking questions and concentrating on the unknown. Prompt them to consider this and develop their questioning! In groups they take a research topic where much doubt remains. They look at what people used to think, what scientists now believe and what we may find out in the future. Then present their findings to other groups, I used a carousel activity. Amazing results - one group looked at subatomic particles down to quarks! Could be spread over more than one lesson. Worked really successfully with my group, as children realised that science is evolving and many questions must be asked if we are to enhance human understanding.

Could be used with Year 10/11. Was formally observed, and graded OUTSTANDING. Interactive activities with one student from each group having to memorise a diagram of metallic structure and then describe it to their group. Plenary activity to revise covalent bonding before their test. Molecules can be changed to make this lesson suitable for less able groups. Students thoroughly enjoyed the lesson.

Lesson designed for KS3 to creatively approach the topic of the tilt of Earth's axis and the seasons. Using hibernation and migration to explore these concepts. Students start by watching short clip (John Lewis Bear and the Hare) Research activity on the seasons and hibernation Choice of task: produce a documentary on the tilt of the axis OR to imagine a world without seasons (choose how to present this). Lower ability could make a model to demonstrate how the tilt affects the seasons. Taboo plenary For use over several lessons to enable students to explore this area fully. Fun and interactive!!! (and highlighting the hedgehog which is in huge decline in this country)

Year 7 - Topic on Space Lesson to follow the concept of applying to be an astronaut. Big focus on the skills which might be required. In small groups, students consider the profiles of different applicants, and come to a decision as to who they would hire (imagine they are working for NASA). What sort of experience and key skills are they looking for, and why? How might hobbies link to this? Focus: justifying and supporting ideas. Next students collect information on how astronauts live and survive in space. Information cards spread around the room, and there is also a video link (Kevin Fong RI Xmas Lecture). My school has iPads for research, but textbooks could also be used. Homework: choice of tasks. Students to fill in NASA application form, or to create a space survival guide for new astronauts.

Fun 100 minute session on the heart and blood vessels - could be expanded or reduced. Students to learn about the structure of the heart through a memory recall drawing challenge and a dissection. Video links to support learning. Cryptogram challenge for students to learn about the blood vessels.

100 minute session on the effect of exercise, smoking and asthma on the lungs Could be extended over several lessons. Learners conduct a practical to measure lung capacity, and could test the effect of exercise on breathing rate Focus on graph work and concluding practical results.