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
Used with my high ability year 8 class - taught separate sciences so this passport is titled Biology, which can obviously be amended.
Glued the passport into the front of their books, and added their 'passport photo' in which they drew themselves as scientists.
Investigation skills linked heavily to the KS3 National Curriculum.
Following a practical students write the data in the table heading, and tick off the skills they have developed/demonstrated. Could enhance this with a red amber green system to show the progress they are making towards a skill.
When writing up a practical I encourage them to finish with a reflection in which they link back to these skills. I found previously they struggled to describe skills so this gives them a prompt.
Aim to demonstrate each skill through a range of different practicals across the year, such that by then end they may hope to achieve 'expert' status. I produced this to link to the idea of the new A-level CPAC criteria and the idea of demonstrating mastery of practical techniques.
With each new book they may receive a new passport.
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.
Used with a high ability year 7 class to develop their ability to evaluate different sides of an argument, and to develop constructive debating skills.
Used with high ability year 10 class.
Links to nervous disorder charity websites which all contain interesting videos which can be watched with the class.
Used with a high ability year 12 group as part of the mass transport topic.
Used the 'Grilled Cheese' font, so titles may need changing if you do not have this font on your computer.
Used with a high ability year 12 class over the course of several lessons, as part of the Mass Transport topic.
PPT includes:
- structure of the heart
- cardiac cycle
- valves
- blood vessels
- tissue fluid
Used with high ability year 10 class.
Eye diagram unlabelled (blown up to A3) given to each group, with a set of label cards. First use prior knowledge to label the diagram - assessing prior knowledge.
Then move around the room collecting information on the structures of the eye, filling in the worksheet. Return to group, and use this information to have another go at labelling the diagram. Excellent means of showing progress.
Move on to each label their own diagram, and discuss rods/cones - linking back to previous lesson on the Nervous system.
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.
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