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 is an engaging and discussion filled lesson which looks at the menstrual cycle and specifically focuses on the interaction of the four hormones in the cycle. This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (ages 14 - 16 in the UK) but is suitable for older students who want a recap on this topic before going into more depth.
In order to understand the cycle, it is critical that students know the roles that each of the hormones perform and also can describe how one hormone affects another. The main task of the lesson goes through the steps in the cycle, but challenges the students to use their prior knowledge of the endocrine system to add in the name of the correct hormone. At appropriate points of the lesson, time is taken to relate this topic to others in Biology, such as the use of oestrogen in the contraceptive pill and also hCG as the hormone which is detected by pregnancy tests. Students will know key landmarks in the 28 day cycle and be able to relate this back to the hormones. There are progress checks throughout the lesson but the final part of the lesson involves three understanding checks where students are challenged to apply their knowledge.
This bundle of 4 lessons covers a lot of the content in Topic B6 (Plant structures and their functions) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification. The topics covered within these lessons include:
The photosynthesis reaction
The limiting factors of photosynthesis
The structure and function of the xylem and phloem
Transporting water and minerals by transpiration
Factors affecting the rate of transpiration
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This extensive and fully-resourced lesson describes the principles and explains the techniques used in the production of recombinant DNA in genetic engineering. Both the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been written to cover points 6.1.3 (f) (i & ii) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification.
The lesson begins with a definition of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA to allow students to begin to understand how this process involves the transfer of DNA fragments from one species to another. Links are made to the genetic code and transcription and translation mechanisms, which were met in module 2, in order to explain how the transferred gene can be translated in the transgenic organism. Moving forwards, the method involving reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase is introduced and their knowledge of the structure of the polynucleotides and the roles of enzymes is challenged through questions and discussion points. Restriction enzymes are then introduced and time is taken to look at the structure of a restriction site as well as the production of sticky ends due to the staggered cut on the DNA. A series of exam-style questions with displayed mark schemes are used to allow the students to assess their current understanding.
The second half of the lesson looks at the culture of transformed host cells as an in vivo method to amplify DNA fragments. Students will learn that bacterial cells are the most commonly transformed cells so the next task challenges their recall of the structures of these cells so that plasmid DNA can be examined from that point onwards. The following key steps are described and explained:
• Remove and prepare the plasmid to act as a vector
• Insert the DNA fragment into the vector
• Transfer the recombinant plasmid into the host cell
• Identify the cells which have taken up the recombinant plasmid
• Allow the transformed host cells to replicate and express the novel gene
Time is taken to explore the finer details of each step such as the addition of the promoter and terminator regions, use of the same restriction enzyme to cut the plasmid as was used to cut the gene and the different types of marker genes.
As well as understanding and prior knowledge checks, quick quiz competitions are used throughout the lesson to introduce key terms such as cDNA and EcoR1 in a memorable way.
This is a fast-paced lesson which uses a range of tasks and quick competitions to compare the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of Diabetes mellitus Type I and II. Students are continually challenged throughout the lesson to build and deepen their knowledge of these conditions and consider how they can be controlled through hormone injections or lifestyle changes. Clear links are made to related topics such as auto-immune diseases and the endocrine system and progress checks have been written into the lesson to allow students to assess their understanding of all of these topics. The final part of the lesson involves the students writing a letter to an individual who has type II, explaining how this diagnosis was done, giving details of the condition and recommending lifestyle changes. This task is differentiated so that students who are finding it difficult can still access the learning.
This lesson has been written for A-level students. If you are looking for a lesson for younger students on this topic, then my other upload “Diabetes Type I and II” will be more suitable.
This lesson explains the principles of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PowerPoint has been designed to cover point 6.1.3 (d) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification
A quick quiz competition is used to introduce the PCR abbreviation before students are encouraged to discuss the possible identity of the enzyme involved and to recall the action of this enzyme. Students will learn that this reaction involves cyclical heating and cooling to a range of temperatures so the next part of this lesson focuses on each temperature and specifically the reasons behind the choice. Time is taken to examine the key points in detail, such as why Taq polymerase has to be used as it is not denatured at the high temperature as well as the involvement of the primers. This process is closely linked to other techniques like electrophoresis which is covered in a later lesson and ties are continuously made throughout the lesson
This process is mentioned in other uploaded lessons in this module such as electrophoresis and genetic engineering to allow students to understand how it is critical for DNA analysis
This fully-resourced lesson explains how gel electrophoresis is used to separate DNA fragments or proteins and explores its applications in genetic fingerprinting. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been written to cover point 6.1.3 (e) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification
The steps of the genetic fingerprinting process is covered the whole lesson but the main focus is the use of gel electrophoresis within this process. Students will be introduced to STRs and will come to recognise their usefulness in human identification as a result of the variability between individuals. Moving forwards, the involvement of the PCR is discussed and students are challenged on their knowledge of this process as it was encountered in a previous lesson. A brief outline of the role of restriction enzymes is provided to support students when these key gene technology enzymes are met in more detail later in the module. The main section of the lesson focuses on the use of gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments (as well as proteins) and the key ideas of separation due to differences in base pair length or molecular mass are discussed and explained. As well as current understanding checks, an application question involving Huntington’s disease is used to challenge their ability to apply their knowledge of the process to an unfamiliar situation. The remainder of the lesson describes how the DNA is transferred to a membrane and hybridisation probes are used to create a pattern on the X-ray film.
Time has been taken to make continuous links to the previous lessons in module 6.1.3 as well as those from module 2.1.3 where DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were introduced.
This bundle of 8 lessons covers the majority of the content in Topic B11 (Inheritance) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics covered within these lessons include:
Inheritance as the transmission of genetic information
Chromosomes, genes and alleles
Inheritance of sex in humans (XX and XY)
The haploid and diploid nucleus
Mitosis and the production of genetically identical cells
Meiosis and the production of gametes
Understanding genetic terminology (e.g. genotypes)
Using Punnett crosses to interpret the results of monohybrid crosses
Interpret pedigree diagrams
Phenotypic and genetic variation
Continuous and discontinuous variation
Natural selection
Selective breeding
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding
This bundle of 5 lessons covers all of the content in Topic B2 (Cells) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
Living organisms are made of cells
Structure of a plant cell and an animal cell
Functions of the organelles in animal and plant cells
Structure and function of specialised cells
Calculating magnification and size
Defining diffusion
The factors that influence the rate of diffusion
Movement through the cell membrane by diffusion
The movement of water by osmosis
The effects on plant tissues by solutions with different water potential
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This bundle of 6lessons covers the majority of the content in Topic B7 (Transport) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
The functions of the xylem and phloem
The transport of water through the xylem vessels
Transpiration as the loss of water vapour
Factors affecting transpiration rate
Name and identify the structures of the mammalian heart
The transport of blood in arteries and veins
The blood vessels associated with the heart and lungs
Coronary heart disease
The structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries
The function of red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding
This is an engaging revision lesson which uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their knowledge of the topic of cells and related topics as covered in the GCSE Biology and GCSE Combined Science courses. As cells are the building blocks of living organisms, a strong understanding of this topic is critical for the success of a student on these two courses.
The following topics are covered in this revision lesson:
The key differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
The structure of a bacterial cell
Specialised cells
The individual functions of the organelles
Calculating size
Students will be engaged through the range of activities which includes quiz competitions such as “CELL, CELL, CELL” where students have to compete to identify specialised cells from descriptions. This lesson can be used at any time during the year as a revision material, in the lead up to mocks or as a final revision lesson before the GCSE terminal exams.
This bundle of 5 revision lessons covers the specification content in topics 1 - 4 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification that can be assessed in the Paper 1 exam.
The following topics are covered by these lessons:
Topic 1: Cell Biology
Topic 2: Organisation
Topic 3: Infection and response
Topic 4: Bioenergetics
In addition, there is a Paper 1 revision lesson which covers content from all of the 4 topics in one highly detailed resource
The students will be motivated and engaged by the range of activities that are found in the lessons whilst crucially being able to assess their knowledge of the different topics and recognise those areas which will need their further attention.
This bundle of 4 revision lessons covers the specification content in topics 5 - 7 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification that can be assessed in the Paper 2 exam.
The following topics are covered by these lessons:
Topic 5: Homeostasis and response
Topic 6: Inheritance, variation and evolution
Topic 7: Ecology
In addition there is a Paper 2 revision lesson that covers all three topics in one highly detailed and fully-resourced resource.
The students will be motivated and engaged by the range of activities that are found in the lessons whilst crucially being able to assess their knowledge of the different topics and recognise those areas which will need their further attention
This is a highly-detailed revision resource which has been designed to be used over a number of lessons and allows teachers to dip in and out of the material as fits to the requirements of their classes and students. The resource consists of an engaging and detailed powerpoint (148 slides) and worksheets which have been differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to be challenged whilst accessing the work. The lesson consists of a wide range of activities which will engage and motivate the students and includes exam questions, quiz competitions and quick tasks and mathematical skills are challenged throughout.
The lesson has been designed to cover as many of the sub-topics within topics 1, 2 and 3 of the OCR Gateway GCSE Biology A specification but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Topic B1: Cell-level systems
Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
Respiration
Functions of the organelles of animal and plant cells
Microscopy and calculating size
Topic B2: Scaling up
The functions of the components of blood
Specialised cells
Osmosis
Mitosis and the cell cycle
The heart and blood vessels
Topic B3: Organism-level systems
The nervous system
The structures and functions of the eye
IVF
This revision resource can be used in the lead up to mocks or the actual GCSE exams and due to its size, it could be repeatably used to ensure that students develop a deep understanding of these topics.
This is a highly-detailed revision resource which has been designed to be used over a number of lessons and allows teachers to dip in and out of the material as fits to the requirements of their classes and students. The resource consists of an engaging and detailed powerpoint (132 slides) and worksheets which have been differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to be challenged and access the work. The lesson consists of a wide range of activities which will engage and motivate the students and includes exam questions, quiz competitions and quick tasks. The mathematical element of the course is challenged throughout the lesson
The lesson has been designed to cover as many of the sub-topics within topics 5, 6 and 7 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification, and will be covered in paper 2, but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Topic B5: Homeostasis and response
IVF
The central nervous system
The structure and functions of the eye
Diabetes
Control of blood glucose concentration
Topic B6: Inheritance, variation and evolution
The structure and function of DNA
Mutations and their effects on phenotypes
Genetic terminology
Inherited disorders
Classification
Topic B7: Ecology
Ecological terms
The Carbon cycle
This revision resource can be used in the lead up to mocks or the actual GCSE exams and due to its size, it could be repeatably used to ensure that students develop a deep understanding of these topics.
This bundle of 5 REVISION lessons has been designed to include a range of activities which will engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content in topics 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 which can be covered in Paper 1. The activities include exam questions, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions. These lessons are suitable for use at the end of a topic, in the lead up to mock exams or in the lead up to the actual GCSE Biology Paper 1 exam.
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
A fully resourced revision lesson which uses a range of exam questions (with explained answers), quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within module 3 (Exchange and transport) of the OCR A-level Biology specification.
The topics tested within this lesson include:
Exchange surfaces
Mammalian gaseous exchange system
Tissues in the gaseous exchange system
Transport in animals
Blood vessels
Exchange at the capillaries
ECG
Transport of oxygen
Transport in plants
Transport tissues
Movement of water through plants
Transpiration
Translocation
Student will enjoy the range of tasks and quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise any areas which require further attention
A resourced lesson which uses a concise lesson presentation (18 slides) and a differentiated diagram to guide students through the method of blood clotting. This lesson has been designed for students studying GCSE (14 - 16 year olds in the UK) and this is reflected in the appropriate detail where only the involvement of fibrin needs to be known. Students are shown how blood clotting is a cascade effect where one event leads on to the next.
A fully-resourced lesson that looks at the topic of osmosis and how the movement of water between a cell and the solution can affect the appearance of an animal and a plant cell. This lesson includes a detailed and engaging lesson presentation (42 slides) and differentiated worksheets that include exam questions that can be set as homework. There is a lot of key terminology associated with this topic and time is taken to ensure that students understand the meaning of each of these terms before moving forwards. Students are introduced to the different types of solutions and then a step-by-step guide is used to show them how to compare the water potential of the solution and the cell and then how this will determine which was water moves. The main task is differentiated so that students are challenged and can access the work.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK) but is also suitable for A-level students
This fully-resourced lesson explores the inheritance of sex-linked diseases in humans and then challenges the students to apply their knowledge to examples in other animals. The detailed PowerPoint and associated differentiated resources have been designed to cover the part of point 6.1.2 (b[i]) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification which states that students should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of genetic diagrams which include sex-linkage.
Key genetic terminology is used throughout and the lesson begins with a check on their ability to identify the definition of homologous chromosomes. Students will recall that the sex chromosomes are not fully homologous and that the smaller Y chromosome lacks some of the genes that are found on the X. This leads into one of the numerous discussion points, where students are encouraged to consider whether females or males are more likely to suffer from sex-linked diseases. In terms of humans, the lesson focuses on haemophilia and red-green colour blindness and a step-by-step guide is used to demonstrate how these specific genetic diagrams should be constructed and how the phenotypes should then be interpreted. The final tasks of the lesson challenge the students to carry out a dihybrid cross that involves a sex-linked disease and an autosomal disease before applying their knowledge to a question about chickens and how the rate of feather production in chicks can be used to determine gender.
All of the tasks are differentiated so that students of differing abilities can access the work and all exam questions have fully-explained, visual markschemes to allow them to assess their progress and address any misconceptions.