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.
A concise, fast-paced lesson that looks at the orbits of both natural and artifical satellites. The lesson has been written to build on the student’s knowledge of space from KS3 and add key details such as the gravitational pull between the different celestial objects. Students will learn how the speed of the orbiting object and the gravitational pull ensure that the object remains in orbit and consider what would happen should the speed change. Students are briefly introduced to a number of orbits of artificial satellites as well as the uses.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students
A fast-paced lesson presentation (20 slides) which focuses on the understanding of the scientific term, specific latent heat, and guides students through use of the related equation in energy calculations. This lesson has been written for GCSE students and along with specific heat capacity, these are topics which students regularly say that they do not understand so the aim here has been to embed the key details. The task at the start of the lesson gets students to plot the changing state line for pure water. They have to annotate the line to show the changes in state and then most crucially recognise that when these changes in state occur, there is no change in temperature. Moving forwards, students will meet the additional terms of fusion and vaporisation and then be introduced to the equation. They are reminded that this isn’t an equation that they have to recall, but are expected to apply it and therefore the next few slides focus on the potential difficulties that could be encountered. These include the conversion between units and a mathematical skills check is included at this point so that their ability to move between grams and kilograms and Joules and kiloJoules is tested. Progress checks like this are written into the lesson at regular intervals so the students can constantly assess their understanding.
A short, concise lesson presentation (25 slides) that explores the key evidence that is used to support the Big Bang Theory. This lesson has been written for GCSE students with the focus on the fine details which they need to be able to understand in order to successfully answer exam questions on this topic. The lesson begins with a fun slide which challenges their mathematical skills to work out a number of years and spot that a dingbat represents the Big Bang. This leads students into the key details of the theory and includes when it was believed to have happened. The rest of the lesson focuses on two main pieces of evidence, namely red shift and CMBR. Students are guided through these topics and related topics such as the Doppler effect are revisited. The final part of the lesson uses a quick competition to get students to recognise the names of alternative theories and a set homework challenges them to add details in terms of evidence to support each of steady state and creationism.
This lesson describes the key difference between scalar and vector quantities and introduces examples of physical factors that fit into each group. The PowerPoint has been designed to cover points 2.1 - 2.4 of the Edexcel GCSE Physics and Combined Science specifications.
The lesson begins with an introduction of the fact that some quantities are scalar and some are vector. A quick competition is used to introduce the key term, magnitude, and students will learn that scalar quantities such as speed have a size but are missing something else. A guided discussion period then challenges them to consider what that missing element might be, and this leads into the completion of the scalar definition. The next task then challenges the students to use this completed definition to write a similar one for a vector quantity. They will learn that velocity is a vector due to its magnitude and specific direction and then a series of exam questions are used to challenge their current understanding in terms of changes in speed and velocity at a crossroads. The mark scheme for each of the questions is embedded into the PowerPoint.
The remainder of the lesson uses another competition to introduce acceleration, momentum, energy, force, mass and weight as scalar or vector quantities and the students are challenged one final time as they have to explain why weight is an example of a vector quantity.
This lesson explains that velocity is speed in a stated direction and then describes how to use the distance and time to calculate speed. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 2.5 & 2.6 of the Edexcel GCSE Physics & Combined Science specifications.
The lesson begins with a prior knowledge check, where the students are challenged to use their understanding of the last lesson on scalar and vector quantities to complete a definition about velocity. This vector quantity is involved in the calculation of acceleration, momentum and in an equation of motion and this is briefly introduced to the students. Moving forwards, they are challenged to recall the equation to calculate speed that should have been met at KS3 as well as in Maths. The remainder of the lesson focuses on the use of this equation as well as rearrangements to change the subject. A series of step by step guides are used to model the workings required in these calculations and then the students have to apply their understanding to a series of exam questions. Mark schemes for each of the questions are embedded in the PowerPoint and the question worksheet has been differentiated two ways to provide assistance to students who are finding it difficult.
An engaging lesson presentation (57 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within module P6 (Global challenges) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification.
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Everyday motion
Reaction time and thinking distance
Braking distance and stopping distance
Energy sources
The National Grid
Mains electricity
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “Can you go the DISTANCE” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
An engaging lesson presentation (28 slides) and accompanying worksheet, which together look at how to calculate efficiency and explores how efficiency can be increased by reducing the ways that energy is transferred to less useful stores. The lesson begins by looking at the key term, dissipated, and ensuring that students understand that energy being dissipated to a thermal energy store is one of the main reasons why efficiency will be low. Moving forwards, students are introduced to the equation to calculate efficiency and shown how to leave the answer as a decimal or percentage. Mathematical skills are challenged when calculating the efficiency as a number of units have to be converted. The rest of the lesson looks at a range of methods that can be used to reduce losses. Students will work with the teacher to understand how lubrication works and then a homework task gets them to explore how insulation in homes reduces heat losses.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students.
A highly engaging and information lesson presentation (46 slides) which guides students through the steps needed to construct an accurate distance-time graph and then teaches them how to interpret the motions that are shown by the different lines. The lesson challenges the students to work out the type of graph that should be used to present the data and to suggest which factor from the blank table should go on the x-axis. Using the results that they obtain, a step-by-step guide is used to walk students through constructing the graph. This includes deciding on scales to ensure they are even and make the most of the available paper. Student will see the four key terms of motion associated with these graphs (acceleration, deceleration, constant speed and stationary) and will be able to use their graph to work out which lines go with which motion. Moving forwards, students will be shown how to calculate speed from the graph. There are progress checks throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding of the topic.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students but is perfectly suitable for KS3 students too.
This is a fully-resourced lesson that guides students through the range of calculations involved in calculating speeds in everyday situations. This lesson includes an informative lesson presentation (27 slides) and a question worksheet which has been differentiated two ways.
The lesson begins by showing the students a speed camera and challenging them to recall the equation that would be used to calculate the speed as well as asking them to explain where the distance and the time values would come from. This lesson has a high mathematical element to it, to run in line with the questions that were seen in the latest exams this summer. Students will be expected to convert between units and rearrange formula. In this example, students are challenged to convert between m/s and mph in order to determine which of three drivers will receive a speeding ticket for exceeding the limit. This task has been differentiated so that students who find the conversions difficult are given some assistance so they can still access the learning. Moving forwards, students will see how a sensor on a tyre of a bicycle can also be used to calculate the speed by working out the circumference of the tyre to determine the distance. The final part of the lesson gets students to convert between m/s and mph and the other way to find out some typical speeds of everyday motion such as walking, running or a train moving.
This lesson has been written for GCSE aged students but could be used with younger students of high ability who need an extra challenge in the calculating speed topic.
An informative lesson presentation (37 slides) and accompanying worksheets that guides students through the different methods that can be used to rearrange formulae as they will be required to do in the Science exams. The lessons shows them how to use traditional Maths methods involving inverse operations and also equation triangles to come to the same result. These are constantly linked to actual examples and questions to show them how this has to be applied. There are regular progress checks, with explained answers, so that students can assess their understanding.
A fully resourced lesson which includes an informative lesson presentation (34 slides) and differentiated worksheets that show students how to convert between units so they are confident to carry out these conversions when required in Science questions. The conversions which are regularly seen at GCSE are covered as well as some more obscure ones which students have to be aware of. A number of quiz competitions are used throughout the lesson to maintain motivation and to allow the students to check their progress in an engaging way
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students but is suitable for KS3
This fully-resourced REVISION lesson is detailed and engaging and uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 7 (Radioactivity and particles) of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics 9-1 specification (4PH1) for first assessment in June 2019.
The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:
Describe energy transfers involving energy stores
Use the principle of conservation of energy
Know and use the relationship between efficiency, useful energy output and total energy output
Describe how thermal energy transfer may take place by conduction, convection and radiation
Explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer, such as insulation
Know and use the relationship between work done, force and distance moved in the direction of the force
Know and use the relationship between gravitational potential energy, mass, gravitational field strength and height
Know and use the relationship between kinetic energy, mass and speed
Understand how conservation of energy produces a link between gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and work
Use the relationship between power, work done (energy transferred) and time taken
Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity using water, wind, geothermal resources, solar, fossil fuels and nuclear power
The students will thoroughly enjoy the range of activities, which include quiz competitions such as “The TRANSFER MARKET” where they have to compete to be the 1st to identify the type of energy transfer shown whilst all the time evaluating and assessing which areas of this topic will need their further attention. This lesson can be used as revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual International GCSE exams
An engaging lesson presentation (48 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit P4 (Atomic structure) of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification (specification point P6.4).
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
The structure of an atom
Isotopes
Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation
Nuclear equations
Half-lives
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “It’s as easy as ABG” and “ALPHA or BETA” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
This is a detailed and engaging REVISION lesson which uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 3 (Waves) of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics 9-1 specification (4PH1) for first assessment in June 2019.
The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:
Use the following units: degree (°), hertz (Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)
Explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves
Know the definitions of amplitude, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave
Know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave
Use the relationship between frequency and time period
Explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted
Know that light is part of a continuous electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray radiations and that all these waves travel at the same speed in free space
Know the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrum
Explain some of the uses of electromagnetic radiations
Draw ray diagrams to illustrate refraction
Know and use the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction
Describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along optical fibres and in prisms
Explain the meaning of critical angle c
Know and use the relationship between critical angle and refractive index
Know that sound waves are longitudinal waves which can be reflected and refracted
Know that the frequency range for human hearing is 20–20 000 Hz
Understand how the loudness of a sound relates to the amplitude of vibration of the source
The students will thoroughly enjoy the range of activities, which include quiz competitions such as “Should you WAVE goodbye” where they have to decide whether a passage about a sub-topic of waves is completely correct whilst all the time evaluating and assessing which areas of this topic will need their further attention. This lesson can be used as revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual International GCSE exams
A fully-resourced lesson that looks at the meaning of thinking, braking and stopping distances and focuses on the factors that would cause each of them to increase. The lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (45 slides) and an associated worksheet for the calculations. The lesson begins by introducing the term stopping distance and then challenging students to recognise that both the distance travelled during the driver’s reaction time and under the braking force will contribute to this. Students are constantly challenged to think about the factors that would cause either the thinking or braking distance to increase and to be able to explain why scientifically. Moving forwards, the mathematical element that is associated with this topic is explored as students are shown how to calculate the braking distance at different speeds as well as convert between speeds in miles per hour and metres per second. There is also a set homework included as part of the lesson. There are regular progress checks written into the lesson so that students can assess their understanding.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students but could be used with those at KS3.
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that has been written to include a wide range of activities that challenge the students on their knowledge of astrophysics as detailed in topic 8 of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics specification. The numerous quiz rounds which include “Shine a LIGHT on any ERRORS” will engage and motivate their students whilst they assess their understanding of the content and recognise any areas that require further attention.
The lesson has been designed to include as many of the specification points as possible but the following have been given particular attention:
Understanding of the terms Solar system, galaxy and universe
Gravitational field strength varies on different planets
Gravitational force causes the Moon to orbit the Earth and the planets to orbit the Sun
Use the relationship between orbital speed, orbital radius and time period
Evolution of stars of a similar mass to our Sun and of stars with larger masses
The evidence that supports the Big Bang theory
The change in the frequency and wavelength of a wave if the source of the wave is moving in relation to the observer
Red-shift as evidence of an expanding universe
This topic contains a number of principles or theories which can be poorly understood by students so extra time has been taken to guide them in the formation of descriptions and explanations.
This revision lesson has been filled with activities that will challenge the students on their knowledge and understanding of the content detailed in topic 8 (Energy - forces doing work) of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics specification. The wide range of activities in the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources will check on the knowledge of this topic and allow the students to recognise those areas which need further attention before the mock or terminal GCSE exams.
This resource has been designed to cover as much of topic 8 as possible but the following points have received particular attention:
Describe how to measure the work done by a force
Understand that work done is equal to energy transferred
Recall and use the equation to calculate work done
Calculate the changes in energy involved when a system is changed by work done by forces
Recall and use the equation to calculate gravitational potential energy
Recall and use the equation to calculate kinetic energy
Explain how energy is dissipated so that it is stored in less useful ways
Define power as the rate at which energy is transferred and that 1 watt is equal to one joule per second
Recall and use the equation to calculate power
Recall and use the equation to calculate efficiency
The mathematical content of this specification and this topic is heavy and in line with this lots of calculated-based tasks are included and all of the answers are explained in steps so students can assess their progress
The main task of the lesson which challenges students to use the principle of moments has been differentiated so that differing abilities can access the work
This lesson has been written to act as a revision tool for students at the completion of topic 2 of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics specification or in the lead up to mock or terminal exams. This motion and forces topic is extensive and the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to include a wide range of activities to allow the students to assess their understanding and to recognise any areas which need extra attention. This specification is heavy in mathematical content and so a lot of opportunities are presented for a range of skills to be tested and the PowerPoint guides students through the application of these requirements such as rearranging the formula and converting between units.
The following specification points have received a particular focus in this lesson:
Factors affecting thinking and braking distance
Calculating the distance travelled from the area under the velocity-time graph
Recalling and using the equations to calculate acceleration, force, speed, weight and momentum
Calculating uniform acceleration from a velocity-time graph
Resultant force and constant velocity
Forces and velocity as vector quantities
Circular motion
The difference between mass and weight
The law of the conservation of momentum
A number of quick quiz rounds, such as FILL THE VOID and WEIGHT A MINUTE, are used to maintain engagement and motivation and to challenge the students on their recall of important points.
It is estimated that it will take in excess of 2 hours of GCSE teaching time to cover the detail included in this lesson
A fully resourced lesson which guides students through writing decay equations to represent alpha and beta decay. This lesson includes a lesson presentation (41 slides) and differentiated worksheets. Time is taken at the beginning of the lesson to ensure that students know the sub-atomic particles that are found in an alpha particle and a beta particle so that they can understand why the atomic and mass numbers are affected during the decay. Moving forwards, a step-by-step guide is used to show students how to write both types of equations. There are regular progress checks throughout the lesson so that students can check their understanding.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK)