I am a secondary science teacher from Plymouth, United Kingdom. I mainly teach Biology and Chemistry and have a passion for designing interactive, engaging and well scaffolded resources that are inclusive for all pupils. I teach all years, from years 7-13.
I teach the following curriculums:
- KS3 Activate
- AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (Biology and Chemistry)
- AQA GCSE Biology
- AQA GCSE Chemistry
- OCR A, A Level Biology
I am a secondary science teacher from Plymouth, United Kingdom. I mainly teach Biology and Chemistry and have a passion for designing interactive, engaging and well scaffolded resources that are inclusive for all pupils. I teach all years, from years 7-13.
I teach the following curriculums:
- KS3 Activate
- AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (Biology and Chemistry)
- AQA GCSE Biology
- AQA GCSE Chemistry
- OCR A, A Level Biology
A knowledge organiser based on the AQA GCSE Combined Science topic ‘Chemistry of the Atmosphere’.
This knowledge organiser covers:
Chemistry of the atmosphere - early atmosphere vs. current atmosphere. How did it change over time?
Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect
Sulfur dioxide how it is formed and the problems it causes
Oxides of nitrogen how it is formed and the problems it causes
Carbon monoxide how it is formed and the problems it causes
Particulate carbon how it is formed and the problems it causes
Acid rain
A PowerPoint lesson resource on the structure and properties of graphene and fullerenes (Buckminsterfullerene and carbon nanotubes).
This resource was a designed for a bottom set year 9 class, so is highly scaffolded. Scaffolds can be removed to suit all sets / abilities.
This resource contains:
A “5 in 5” retrieval style starter on giant covalent molecules and bonding
Direct instruction on graphene
A series of checkpoints (multipe choice quizzes, cold call questions, quick written tasks) based on short exam questions on graphene
An independent written exam question on the properties of graphene, with optional scaffold
Guided self assessment / model answers
An embedded video on buckyballs
Direct instruction slides on fullerenes (Buckminsterfullerene and carbon nanotubes)
A series of checkpoints (multipe choice quizzes, cold call questions, quick written tasks) based on short exam questions on fullerenes
An independent written exam question on the properties of fullerenes, with optional scaffold
Guided self assessment / model answers
A plenary task (6 mark exam question with answers)
A resource containing:
Five A3 information sheets on giant covalent molecules / allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, Buckminsterfullerene)
A structured template for an A4 fact sheet for students to fill in
This resource works great for SEND classes that benefit from movement around the room. This is a great reading comprehension task and trains students to seek relevant information from chunks of text.
This resource was designed for a low ability year 9 class as end of unit revision.
An A3 knowledge organiser on the Organic Chemistry topic from the AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus.
Also suitable for AQA GCSE Chemistry, although does not include the ‘more organic chemistry’ topic.
The knowledge organiser includes information on:
The structure and formula of alkanes
The structure and formula of alkenes
Tests for alkenes
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
Incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Trends in the properties of hydrocarbons
Fractional distillation
Cracking
A full 1 hour lesson resource designed for a mixed ability year 12 class studying the OCR Biology A specification.
This is from the unit 4.2.2 Classification and Evolution, from the specification point i) “how evoluton in some species has implicatons for human populatons.”
This lesson resource contains:
A “5 in 5” style retrieval starter
A linked video on how MRSA evolved
Direct instruction on antibiotic resistance (dual coding, reduced cognitive load)
A linked video visually showing the evolution of antibiotic resistance
Checkpoints (MCQs from exams with answers)
A discussion on antiviral resistance in HIV
An application question on drug resistance in malaria from the CGP textbook (with guided self assessment)
An embedded video - a news report on pesticide resistance in bed bugs
A case study on DDT resistance in house flies, with a guided discussion
An exam-style question on pesticide resistance from the CGP textbook (with guided self assessment)
A full 1 hour lesson resource designed for a year 12 Biology class studying the OCR Biology A specification.
This lesson is from the unit 4.2.2 Classication and Evolution , from specification point g “the diferent types of adaptatons of organisms to their environment”
This resource contains:
A retrieval starter
Easy to deliver direct instruction slides on the types of adaptation
A video hook demonstrating each type of adaptation
Hand signal check for understanding
Checkpoint MCQs from exams
A reading comprehension task on adaptations in polar bears, with a guided student task
Easy to deliver direct instruction slides on convergent evolution
A case study on European / Maruspial moles
Exam questions
Guided self assessment
Designed from the A Level Biology topic ‘Neuronal Communication’ (4.3) from the OCR Biology A specification.
It could also be used for students studying the AQA specification.
The loop cards will need to be cut out.
This is a loop card game - shuffle the cards and randomly distribute them to different students in the room.
Have one student read out their definition.
The student whose key word matches their definition should shout out the word, then read their definition.
Time how long it takes to loop back to the original student.
Can they beat their time next time?
A GCSE lesson on the structure and properties of graphite, from the unit on giant covalent molecules.
This lesson was designed for a lower ability year 9 class, and was made to build resilience in answering exam questions.
The resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style starter
A brief retrieval practice
Direct instruction on the structure of graphite
Quick checkpoints using exam questions
A ‘fill in the blanks’ activity on the structure of graphite
Direct instruction on the properties of graphite
Teacher modelled responses to exam questions around the properties of graphite
A student worksheet used to develop exam technique
Exam questions for student independent practice
Mark schemes and model answers
A revision placemat overviewing a topic on acids and alkalis, designed for a top set year 8 class.
Could be used for a lower ability KS4 class.
The revision placemat is double sided, with trickier content on the back e.g. symbol equations - could be printed single sided if needed.
Topics covered:
Examples of acids and alkalis
pH scale
Use of universal indicator and litmus paper
Neutralisation reactions
Word equations for neutralisation reactions
Matching acids to their sources (from food and drink)
Balanced symbol equations for neutralisation reactions
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, lab safety, and scientific apparatus
A retrieval practice slide checking students’ prior knowledge on reading scales (measuring cylinders, thermometers) - includes an answer slide
A health and safety slide
Practical activity making measurements of volume, temperature, length and mass - with printout of method and results tables
A written plenary task
A full 1 hour lesson based on the Biology Required Practical 6 from AQA GCSE Combined Science (reaction times). Also suitable for students studying AQA GCSE Biology.
This resource was designed for a lower ability year 11 class, but could easily be adapted for other year groups or abilities.
This resource includes:
A fully guided PowerPoint, with chunked practical instructions
A student worksheet with practical instructions, results tables, and application questions
A conversion table for reaction times
The PowerPoint includes:
A ‘5-in-5’ retrieval-style starter
A lesson hook - an online reaction time game
Chunked practical instructions (slow practical) with use of colour coding and dual coding / imagery for ease of understanding
Models (e.g. a model results table showing how to find an anomaly)
Application questions
Model answers
A written plenary (an exam question, with a scaffold, a mark scheme, and a model answer)
A full 1 hour lesson designed for a lower attaining year 11 class studying the AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus, from spec point 5.1.1.5 - Size and mass of atoms.
This lesson is focused around:
Students recalling the radius of an atom, and radius of the nucleus
Students being able to write in standard form
Students determining the mass number of an element using the periodic table
This lesson includes:
A retrieval “5 in 5” starter
Interesting lesson hooks with exciting facts
Plenty of models to help students understand the scale of an atom
An embedded video explaining the size of an atom
Worked examples
‘Checkpoints’ such as multiple choice questions
Independent practice tasks with answer slides
Exam practise with mark schemes
A written plenary
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, lab safety, scientific apparatus, measuring, Bunsen burners, writing methods, drawing tables
A lesson hook - funny graphs showing that correlation does not equal causation
A guided student discussion - name the different types of graph and chart
Direct instruction on categoric vs. discrete data
A checkpoint task on categoric vs. discrete data - which is which?
A fill in the blanks task, with answers
direct instruction - rules for drawing a graph
Spot the mistakes task in various graphs
Guided teacher model (visualiser required) - students draw graph along with teacher
Independent task - students draw their own line graph from a results table
A written plenary task
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, lab safety, scientific apparatus, measuring, Bunsen burners
A lesson hook - writing instructions for an alien to draw a stick man (guidance for teachers included)
A task on reproducibility - students follow instructions for drawing a house
Direct instruction on what makes a good scientific method
Independent task - writing instructions for making a cup of tea
Practical demo - teacher follows students’ instructions and makes cups of tea
Peer assessment slide
An independent task - students write a method for a scientific investigation
A written plenary task
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school
A slide on expectations in science lessons
An activity spotting lab safety issues from an image, with answers (can be printed if preferred)
An embedded music video
An introduction into hazard symbols
A hand signal quiz on hazard symbols
An independent task on hazard symbols, with answer slide
A written plenary task
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, plus questions on lab safety
An embedded animated video showing and naming key scientific apparatus in the lab
A scavenger hunt activity, for students to find key practical equipment in the science lab
Introduction slides on 2D drawings of apparatus
Whiteboard quiz on naming / drawing apparatus, with answers
An independent task on drawing apparatus, with answers
A written plenary task
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, lab safety, scientific apparatus, and measuring
A lesson hook about fireworks
Retrieval practice - recap Bunsen burner safety
Direct instruction on how to light a Bunsen burner
A health and safety slide
An apparatus slide
Clear practical instructions on how to light a Bunsen burner
Clear practical instructions on how to do flame tests
A written plenary task
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school, lab safety, scientific apparatus, measuring, Bunsen burners, writing methods
A lesson hook - activity where students try to remember information from a chunk of text compared to information from a table
Direct instruction on how to draw a table
A worked example for drawing a results table
A ‘spot the mistake’ task - students find the errors in various results tables
Independent tasks with answers - students draw their own results tables
A written plenary task
Final lesson designed for a year 7 class on an ‘introduction to science’ unit.
Students bring together everything they have learned to design their own investigation on how the volume of water affects how long it takes to boil.
The PowerPoint is fully guided with answers and requires students to:
Write an aim and prediction for their investigation
List the apparatus they will need, and draw their 2D diagrams
Write a method for their investigation
Design their own results table for their investigation
Draw a line graph from model results
A full 1 hour lesson resource based on the AQA GCSE Biology syllabus.
This lesson covers:
Labeling a light microscope
Setting up and using a light microscope
The definitions of magnification and resolution
This lesson includes a retrieval-style starter, a task labelling a microscope, direct instruction slides with minimal cognitive load, frequent checks for understanding such as hand signal quizzes, a guided practical activity with clear instructions, independent writing tasks with model answers, and a written plenary.