A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 1.2 (Respiration and the respiratory system in humans) of the WJEC GCSE Biology specification.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
The need and purpose of the respiratory system
The function of the mucus and cilia in the trachea and the effect of smoking on these structures
The structure of the alveolus and its blood supply
The mechanisms of inspiration and expiration
The process of aerobic respiration and the release of energy in the form of ATP
Anaerobic respiration and the production of lactic acid
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 10 (Diseases and immunity) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (37 slides) and associated worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help and challenge differing abilities.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and Supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Pathogens as disease causing microorganisms that cause transmissible diseases when they are spread
Pathogens can be spread through direct or indirect contact
Vaccinations as a form of active immunity that leads to the production of memory cells
Examples of passive immunity
The human body’s defence systems to include the white blood cells
Diabetes type I as an example of an autoimmune disease
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 5 (Enzymes) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (25 slides) and associated worksheet.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Define enzymes as proteins that function as biological catalysts
Explain enzyme action with reference to active site, substrate and enzyme-substrate complex
Explain the specificity of enzymes
Explain the effect of changes of temperature on enzyme activity
Explain the effect of changes of pH on enzyme activity
Describe what happens to an enzyme when it is denatured
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been written to motivate and engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 4 (Biological molecules) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (36 slides) and associated worksheets.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and Supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
List the chemical elements that make up carbohydrates
State how starch, glycogen, cellulose, proteins and fats and oils are made from their specific smaller molecules
Describe the use of the iodine and Benedicts solution test
Explain how the specific sequence of the amino acids in a protein controls the shape and the effect this has on an enzyme and antibodies
Describe the structure of DNA
Recognise that water is an important solvent which is involved in a large number of roles in the human body
In addition, links have been made to other topics such as hormones and organelles so that students can see the importance of making links between Biological topics
The range of exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions that have been written into this revision lesson will help to motivate and engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 1.3 (Digestion and the digestive system in humans) of the WJEC GCSE Biology specification. The resource includes a detailed and engaging Powerpoint (51 slides) and an associated worksheet, which has been differentiated to help differing abilities to access the work.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
The movement of food by peristalsis
The role of carbohydrase, protease and lipase enzymes in digestion
The tests for the presence of starch and glucose
The roles of the stomach and small intestine in digestion
The function of bile in the break down of fats
The need for a balanced diet and implication for health of excess sugar and salt in foods
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 3 (Movement in and out of cells) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (42 slides) and associated worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help and challenge differing abilities.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Active transport as the movement of particles against their concentration gradient using energy from respiration
The importance of active transport as demonstrated by the absorption of mineral ions by the root hair cells
The movement of water across cell membranes by osmosis
The importance of osmosis and water potential in the uptake of water by plants
The effects on plant cells of immersion into solutions of different concentrations
The importance of turgor pressure for a plant
Diffusion as the net movement of particles with the concentration gradient
Recognising the factors that influence the rate of diffusion
In addition, topics from other modules such as specialised plant cells are covered so that students can see the importance of being able to make connections and links between Biological topics.
This revision resource includes exam questions, understanding checks and quiz competitions, all of which have been designed with the aim of motivating and engaging the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content found in topic 2 (Organisation of the organism) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (53 slides) and an associated worksheet.
The range of activities have been designed to cover as much of the Core and Supplement content as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
The function of the organelles found in animal and plant cells
The features of specialised cells which allow them to perform their function
The mitochondria and the production of energy for use in cell activities
Calculating size and magnification by converting between millimetres and micrometres
Tissues, organs and organ systems
This revision resource has been designed to cover the content in both topic 11 (Gas exchange) and topic 12 (Respiration) of the CIE IGCSE Biology specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The topics have been combined because of the huge crossover and the aim was to encourage students to see those connections and to make the Biological links. The resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (77 slides) and associated worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to provide assistance for those students who need it.
Included in the resource are exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions which try to cover as much content as possible with the following areas receiving particular attention:
The internal and external structure of the trachea
The structure of the alveoli to allow efficient gas exchange
The role of the ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm in ventilation
The differences in composition between inspired and expired air
Aerobic respiration in seeds
The uses of energy in the body of humans
Anaerobic respiration and the oxygen debt
This resource contains a large emphasis on the mathematical element of the Biology course. Students are guided through key skills such as percentage change and then challenged to apply
This bundle contains 8 revision lessons which cover some of the major topics in the CIE IGCSE Biology specification, for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. All of the lessons are engaging and motivating and give the students the opportunity to assess their understanding of these topics so they can recognise those areas which need their further attention.
The topics included in this bundle are:
Topic 1: Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Topic 2: Organisation of the organism
Topic 3: Movement in and out of cells
Topic 4: Biological molecules
Topic 5: Enzymes
Topic 9: Transport in animals
Topic 10: Diseases and immunity
Topic 11 & 12: Gas exchange in humans & respiration
This revision resource includes a range of activities that will act to engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the Animal nutrition content (topic B6) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. There are exam questions with explained answers as well as quick tasks and quiz competitions such as “Have you got the right BALANCE” where students are challenged to recognise whether a statement about the balanced diet is accurate or not.
The lesson was designed to cover as much content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Mechanical digestion
Chemical digestion by digestive enzymes
Amylase and the break down of starch
The adaptations of the small intestine to allow absorption
The roles of the hydrochloric acid in gastric juice
The break down of lipids in the small intestine
The components of a balanced diet
This resource includes a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (51 slides) and a worksheet which is differentiated two ways. Efforts have been made to make links to other topics such as enzymes (B4) so students can see the importance of being able to make connections in their answers
This revision resource contains a concise yet informative PowerPoint (25 slides) and a worksheet that will enable the students to assess their understanding of the topic B4 (Enzymes) content of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The range of exam questions (with explained answers), quick tasks and quiz competitions have been designed to cover as much content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Enzymes as biological catalysts that speed up reactions
The binding of a substrate with the active site of an enzyme
The effect of a changing pH on the activity of an enzyme
The effect of a changing temperature on the activity of an enzyme
Denaturation
This lesson has been designed to cover the content of specification point 4.1.2.1 (Chromosomes) and 4.1.2.2 (Mitosis and the cell cycle) of the AQA GCSE Biology and Combined Science course. Cell division is a topic which can cause students a number of problems so this lesson has been designed to ensure that the key details are covered and checked constantly. As well as the understanding and previous knowledge checks, quiz competitions are written into the lesson to maintain engagement and motivation.
The lesson begins with the introduction of the term cell cycle and students will learn that the cycle consists of three stages. The key details of each of these stages is covered during the main part of the lesson so that students can meet the specification requirements of being able to describe the main events. Time is allotted for discussion to encourage students to converse about important points such as what happens to the replicated chromosomes during mitosis to enable identical daughter cells to be produced. Opportunities are taken to make links to other topics such as animal and plant cells as students are challenged to recall the functions of some sub-cellular structures. The final part of the lesson involves a series of summary questions which challenges the students to not only recall content but also to apply to unfamiliar organisms and it is not until the final question that they will answer a question about the cell cycle in humans.
This bundle of 5 revision lessons covers 5 of the 12 Biology topics that are found on the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Each of the lessons has been designed to include exam questions, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions that challenge the students on their recall of the content and their ability to apply knowledge. Students will be engaged and motivated by the range of activities whilst recognising those areas that need further attention.
The following topics are included in this bundle:
Topic B2: Cells
Topic B3: Biological molecules
Topic B4: Enzymes
Topic B6: Animal nutrition
Topic B8: Gas exchange and respiration
If you like these lessons, please look at my revision lessons for the Chemistry and Physics topics of the Combined Science specification as well as the IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics
This revision resource contains an engaging and informative PowerPoint (49 slides) and a differentiated worksheet that will enable the students to assess their understanding of the topic B2 (Cells) content of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The following topics have been given particular attention in this lesson:
The structure and function of red blood cells
Diffusion as the movement of molecules from a high concentration to a low concentration
The structure of root hair cells to allow absorption of minerals and water from the soil
Osmosis investigations
The effect on plant cells of immersion in solutions of different water potentials
The function of the organelles found in animal and plant cells
The structure and function of specialised cells
This resource is ideal for revision purposes during or at the end of the topic and in the lead up to mocks or the actual IGCSE exams
This fully-resourced lesson has been designed to cover both the foundation and higher tier content of specification point 5.3.2 (Control of blood glucose concentration) as found in topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science specifications. This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (37 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated so that students of different abilities can access the work.
The resource is filled with a wide range of activities, each of which has been designed to engage and motivate the students whilst ensuring that the key Biological content is covered in detail. Understanding checks are included throughout so that the students can assess their grasp of the content. In addition, previous knowledge checks make links to content from earlier topics such as the endocrine system and literacy checks ensure that the students can spell and recognise the key words, which is extremely important considering how many terms begin with the letter g in this homeostatic control system.
The following content is covered in this lesson:
The receptors, coordination centre and effectors in the control of blood glucose concentration
The release of insulin when high blood glucose levels are detected
The conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in liver and muscle cells
The causes and treatments of diabetes type I and II
The release of glucagon when low blood glucose levels are detected
The interaction of insulin and glucagon in a negative feedback cycle
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology or Combined Science courses, but it can be used with A-level students who need to go back over the key points before looking at the homeostatic control in more detail
This concise lesson has been designed to cover the content found in specification point 4.1.3.2 (Osmosis) of topic 1 of the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science specifications. This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (23 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help students of different abilities to take on the task at hand.
The lesson begins with the introduction of the term, osmosis, and then students are challenged to use their knowledge of diffusion to write a definition for this method of movement of water molecules. A series of questions which check understanding are included at this early point of the lesson to ensure that the key points are known and any misconceptions are quickly addressed. Students are also challenged with an application question as these can often cause them the most problems. Moving forwards, the rest of the lesson focuses on an osmosis investigation. Scientific skills are tested during a range of tasks as well as numerical skills and guidance is given on how to calculate percentage change.
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology course, but can be used with younger students who are keen to learn about osmosis
This fully-resourced lesson has been designed to cover the content found in specification point 5.2.3 (The eye) of topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification. This resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (46 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help students of different abilities to take on the task.
The lesson begins with a game of IMPOSSIBLE (shown in the picture) where students are challenged to pick out the names of the 7 structures of the eye which the specification states they have to be able to identify on a diagram. Students are given the functions of the cornea and the sclera to guide them at the start of the labelling task before they have to use their previous knowledge of the nervous system to write a function for the optic nerve. Literacy and numeracy skills are tested throughout the lesson and the next round of the quiz challenges them to use synonyms to recognise the key terms of adaptation and accommodation. Time is taken to focus on the process of accommodation so that students can see how the ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments interact to change the shape of the lens and allow both near and distant objects to be seen clearly. This takes the lesson nicely into the next section where the conditions of myopia and hyperopia are considered. Again, the students are challenged on their recognition of Biology terminology to spot that these are the medical names for short and long-sightedness. Students are guided through the correction of myopia before being challenged to write a letter to the mother of a girl who suffers from hyperopia, explaining how the lens is used to correct the defect.
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology course, but can be used with younger students who are keen to learn about the eye or with A-level students who need to go back over the key points.
This concise, engaging revision lesson has been designed to include activities that will motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of topic B3 (Biological molecules) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. An understanding of biological molecules is fundamental to the understanding of a lot other Biology topics and this lesson has attempted to make the links between the different areas.
The range of activities which include exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions have been written to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
The chemical elements in carbohydrates
The formation of starch and glycogen from glucose
The iodine test for starch
Lipids are formed of fatty acids and glycerol
Investigational skills
The ethanol emulsion test for lipids
This resource includes a PowerPoint (27 slides) and a worksheet with a task about the digestion of milk fat so students can recognise the components of lipids
This lesson has been designed to cover the content set out in specification point 5.3.1 (Human endocrine system) of topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science courses. A wide range of activities have been written into the lesson with the aim of engaging and motivating the students whilst ensuring that the content is covered in detail. These activities include a number of quiz competitions which will challenge the students to identify an endocrine organ when presented with three organs as well as introducing them to the names of some of the hormones released by the pituitary gland.
The following content is covered in this lesson:
Hormones as chemicals which have a slow but long lasting effect on target organs
The location of the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands in the human body
The location of the pancreas, ovaries and testes in the human body
The hormones which are secreted by the endocrine glands
The effects of the hormones on their target organs
This lesson has been written for GCSE-aged students who are studying on the AQA courses but is suitable for younger students who are looking at the different organ systems
This lesson has been designed to cover the content as detailed in points 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (The eye as a sensory receptor and the correction of eye defects) of the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification. Consisting of a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (54 slides) and accompanying worksheets, the range of activities will motivate the students whilst ensuring that the content is covered in detail. Students will learn how the structures of the eye enable it to function as a sensory receptor, with a particular focus on the role of the cornea, lens, iris and the rod and cone cells in the retina. In addition, students will understand how eye defects such as short-sightedness and cataracts can cause problems for vision and can be corrected. Progress checks are included throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding of the content and any misconceptions can be addressed whilst quiz competitions are used to introduce new terms in a fun and memorable way.
This lesson has been written for GCSE-aged students who are studying the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification but can be used with younger students who have a real interest in this sensory receptor as well as older students who need to know the key details for their A level course.