I have put together a transition booklet for my GCSE students to work through during the end of term and over the summer holidays. It includes a brief overview of the course; what students should know from GCSE; exam terminology to be familiar with; practical skills needed for next year; scientific article and questions; recommended reading for the summer

A 14 Page booklet including potential questions and answers for the Scientific Article for question 8 for Biology International Advanced Level WBI15/01 ,June 7th 2024. I have also included retrieval practice activities to help students prepare their revision of topics. Activities include keywords, cloze activities and a list of topics students should know in depth. Exam questions have a markscheme that can be shared with students. This document makes an excellent revision tool for students.

A pdf file focusing on skeletal muscles. Students label the parts of the sarcomere. There is a basic diagram of the sliding filament theory that will help students describe the process of muscle contraction. Answer sheet included.

6 exam questions which focuses on the CORMS mark scheme. I have included a scaffold for students to refer to as they answer the question so they become familiar with each of the points in CORMS. Mark scheme included

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 pdf worksheet which focuses on the need for nitrate and magnesium ions by a plant. Students should know how both water and mineral ions pass into the plant (osmosis and active transport). The worksheet contains exam-style questions with an answer sheet. Suitable for in class activity; homework; research task.

2 lessons focusing on the process of fertilisation in mammals including the acrosome and cortical reaction. In plants, formation of the pollen tube and then double fertilisation. Activities include video, diagrams and exam style questions.

A PDF worksheet focusing on the DNA replication experiment devised by Meselson and Stahl. Students answer exam-style questions. Use activity for retrieval practice, revision or to check understanding. Can be used in class or as a homework activity. Answer sheet included.

A PPT with information regarding the 2 types of fibres. Students collect information about the fibres from around the room (included in PPT) and complete a table stating the differences. They can then use their knowledge to predict the types of fibres found in different animal muscles. There is an exam question and mark scheme to determine understanding of subject material. I have included the lesson plan I provided when I was observed so feel free to tweak it to suit your group.

Edexcel Spec Link - 6.16 and 6.20 Three lessons which focus on the forensic science element of the topic. The first lesson looks at the role of microorganisms in decomposition. This is a recap session, looking at the carbon cycle. Lesson 2 introduces the idea of using body temperature and rigor mortis to determine time of death. lesson 3 finishes the topic looking at the role of bacteria and insects in decomposition. This links to succession which had been studied previously. There are many different student activities including questions and answers on the topic.

A series of complete lessons covering the syllabus content for the IAL Biology topic 8B. This includes the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system. The structure of the spinal cord and brain. The peripheral nervous system How we investigate the structure and functions of the brain The effect of drugs on synapses Chemical control in plants Phytochrome and seed germination/flowering I have tried to include various methods for both independent and group learning. There are also short assessment questions to check understanding.

A PDF worksheet designed to summarise the process of protein synthesis to IGCSE students. The task is a word fill exercise but my students added comments to the diagrams to consolidate their understanding.

A series of activities for students to complete in class or at home in preparation for the unit 1 examination. It is most useful to use before they attempt exam past papers. Resources include: A learning grid with focused questions to ensure students cover main topics in unit 1 (18 pages). This includes biological molecules; Heart and cardiac cycle; Blood transport system; CVD; Cell membranes; Movement across membranes; Gas exchange; Inheritance; DNA replication; Protein synthesis; Mutations Also with questions focused towards core practicals. Exam command words reminder

This PPT links to the Edexcel A2 course - describe how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms. It also links to risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified organisms. The PPT is a complete lesson with short tasks which generate discussions regarding this ethical issue. I have included the uses of the enzymes they need to know. There are A level past paper questions to test knowledge plus a fun quick quiz at end of PPT.

A level lesson focusing on the following objectives: Understand that changes in allele frequency come about as a result of mutation and natural selection Understand how the Hardy-Weinberg equation can be used to see whether a change in allele frequency is occurring in a population over time I have included many tasks which can be performed individually or in pairs. Students have 2 exam style questions to attempt using the Hardy Weinberg equation

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.

A series of activities for students to complete in class or at home in preparation for the unit 4 examination. It is most useful to use before they attempt exam past papers Resources include: A tick sheet for revision A learning grid with focused questions to ensure students cover main topics in unit 4 (11 pages). This includes photosynthesis; global warming; evolution; GPP and NPP; microorganisms and how they reproduce; the immune response; immunity ; PCR; DNA profiling and forensics. Vocabulary reinforcer Exam command words reminder

A simple pdf worksheet where students describe how gram staining works. There are some basic diagrams to help scaffold their answers. Answer sheet provided.

A poster which focuses on images and data to enable students to understand how to answer certain exam questions in biology and other sciences.

A PPT introducing statistical tests to include: T test, Chi squared, Mann-Whitney and Spearman Rank Correlation.