I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW, it contains some higher-tier only content.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson firstly begins with a description and definition for gene expression in a cell, this leads onto introduce the idea of a mutation. Pupils are given a definition of a mutation and are asked to consider whether mutations are always negative effects. This leads onto show the ways in which a mutation can affect a protein/enzyme in the body and the effect that could have on the function of body processes. Next is a quick check-silent 5 activity to assess students knowledge of gene expression and mutation, pupils can answer the questions in their book and mark their work using the answers provided. There is on further activity on mutations, pupils will watch a video on sickle cell anaemia and answer questions in their books.
The next section of the lesson is on inheritance, firstly pupils are introduced to the idea of alleles and are shown the genotypes of three rabbits with either black or white fur colour to show that it is the combination of alleles that determines this characteristic. Pupils are asked to complete some questions based on what they have learnt so far, which can be assessed using the answers provided.
Next pupils are introduced to the difference between genotype and phenotype, homozygous and heterozygous genotypes. Pupils will then be given a set of images and are asked to identify whether these images are representing a genotype or phenotype, if it is a genotype they are asked to determine if it is homozygous or heterozygous. This work can then be assessed.
Pupils are now shown how to construct a genetic diagram using a worked example, they are then given another genetic cross for which they need to construct their own genetic diagram and work out the percentage of each offspring that would be present, this work can be self-assessed.
The final task is on sex determination, pupils are introduced to the idea of X & Y chromosomes and are shown the combinations needed to produce a male or a female. Pupils will need to construct their own genetic diagram to show the percentage chance of a baby being male or female. This topic can also be assessed using an exam-style questions for higher ability pupils.
The plenary activity is for pupils to write a glossary in the back of their books for any new key words they have learnt this lesson
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
PowerPoint and task cards aimed at a KS3 class (initially planned for Year 9) to complete a poster, written assignment and a model for a specific area of Science to present in a Science Fair.
For each of the task cards a detailed list of requirements for each part of the project is included, with ideas for extension work to earn more points and homework ideas as well.
I used this resource straight after my students had completed their end of year test as a fun and engaging activity, when complete pupils presented their projects to the class and I awarded certificates for best written assignment, best poster, best model and best overall project.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Bioenergetics’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will learn about the products made during photosynthesis and how these are used plants. In particular the uses of protein, cellulose, starch and fats & oils. At a higher level pupils will consider the advantages and disadvantages of energy storage molecules such as fats, oils & starch.
Pupils will have an opportunity to use information points around the room to complete a levelled worksheet on this topic which will be peer assessed at the end of the lesson. Extension opportunities are available if finished.
Once this first activity has been self or peer assessed pupils will then have the opportunity to conduct an experiment to investigate the presence of starch in normal and variegated leaves.
The last activity pupils will complete are two exam-style questions on the topic of the lesson, this can then be self-assessed.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson starts with pupils think > pair > sharing some of the advantages and disadvantages of genetic technologies that they have learnt about so far. Following this pupils will watch a selection of videos about genetic modification, pupils will need to listen and write down any advantages or disadvantages they pick up from the videos. For higher ability pupils you could extend this task by asking them to consider the organisations behind the videos and why they may have certain viewpoints.
Pupils will then be given a card sort in groups, the cards demonstrate concerns and benefits of gene technologies. Pupils can discuss the information and use it to finish off the table of advantages and disadvantages they started with the previous task. This task can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The next activity requires pupils to complete a newspaper articles on the pro’s and con’s of gene technologies, within the articles pupils must represent the viewpoints of an organic farmer, a charity campaigner, a doctor, an ecologist, a scientist working on a new gene technology.
The final activity is an exam-style question. Pupils can complete this in their books and self-assess their work once they are finished.
The plenary activity is for pupils to pick a task, either unscramble 5 anagrams to reveal key words or write a summary sentence including a number of key words from the lesson
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson starts with a PowerPoint slide which demonstrates how sunlight falling on plants is the initial source of energy for all living organisms. This moves on to a video which outlines the key terms related to food chains, pupils will be provided with a set of questions which they will need to answer using the video. Once pupils has completed this task pupils they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils will then be shown an example of a food chain and the PowerPoint slide will reiterate what the video outlined, about what a food chain and the arrow in the food chains demonstrates.
Pupils will then need to complete a task where they match key terms to their definitions and examples. This work can assessed once the task is complete.
The next part of the lesson will focus on animal populations and dynamics. The first task pupils will be given a set of questions about the impact of various changes on animal populations (i.e. predator numbers, disease). In groups/pairs they will be given a piece of A3 paper and they will need to answer the questions as best they can. Pupils can then check their answers against the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
Pupils will then be given a food web and asked a set of questions about how various changes in the numbers of organisms within the food web would impact others, again this work can be self-assessed.
The final activity is for pupils to draw a graph to represent data on the numbers of coyote and jack rabbits over the course of twenty years, pupils will then need to answer questions about this data.
The plenary task is for pupils to complete a food chain choosing from a set of organisms provided on the PowerPoint slide, as an extra challenge pupils could try and complete their own food webs.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by students considering in pairs/groups the names of different methods of contraception they have already heard of, they can create a mind map in their book which can then be checked against the list provided.
Pupils will then watch a video which runs through some of the types of contraception out there and their pro’s and con’s, pupils will need to watch the video and note down as many advantages and disadvantages of these methods of contraception as they can. This task can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
In the next activity pupils will be given a card sort in pairs or in groups, they will need to read through the information on methods of contraception and complete a table to summarise how these methods work or prevent pregnancy as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
The next part of the lesson looks at the history of contraception, pupils will watch a video about Margaret Sanger - a progressive nurse in New York during the early 20th century. They will need to answer questions whilst watching the video, once finished their answers can be checked against the mark scheme provided.
The final task is a ‘quick check -silent 5’ task, pupils will need to answer the summary questions about what they have learnt this lesson into their books.
The plenary activity is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt this lesson in three sentences, using the list of key words that have been provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW and for higher tier students.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a recap of normal body temperature and what happens if the temperature falls above or below this temperature. Pupils will also be introduced to the role of the thermoregulatory centre and thermoregulatory receptors in monitoring body temperature.
Pupils are then asked to discuss and produce a list of mechanisms that helps the body to cool down on a hot day. This leads onto describe the role of sweating and vasodilation in cooling the body down. Pupils are then asked to consider what they think might happen if the body becomes too cold and again produce a list of mechanisms which might help warm it up. Using the PowerPoint slides the mechanisms of shivering and vasoconstriction will be demonstrated to pupils. Using this information pupils will need to copy and complete a flow diagram to demonstrate the role of thermoregulatory centre in controlling body temperature, this can be self-assessed once it has been completed.
Pupils will now copy and label a diagram of the skin to show the position of sweat glands, hair, hair muscle and blood vessels, this can be marked once it has been completed.
The next activity is for pupils to sort statements into two columns - one describing what happens when the body is too hot and one for when the body is too cold. Once completed the mark scheme can be used by pupils to self or peer-assess their work.
The final activity is a 6-mark exam-style question on this topic, pupils should try and complete this in silence and at the back of their books to really test their knowledge of this topic. Once complete the mark scheme can be used for pupils to mark their own work.
The plenary task is for pupils to pick a summary question of their choice from the two provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Inheritance, variation and evolution' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with a recap on the relative sizes of structures found within the cell, starting with nucleotides & building up to nucleus and then cell.
The next task requires pupils to answer questions about the human genome whilst watching a video. This work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next part of the lesson shows students the structure of a DNA nucleotides and of the overall double-helix structure of DNA.
Pupils will then watch a video on the process of protein synthesis, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching this video. Pupils can then self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The final activity is for pupils to complete an exam-style question, pupils then either self-assess or peer-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a list of key words from the lesson today.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Bioenergetics’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson starts with a think > pair > share task for pupils to discuss some questions about muscle, after a short class discussion you can the answers to these questions and talk them through with the students (all on the PowerPoint).
Next pupils can sum up what they have learnt so far by completing a fill in the blank task, which then can be self-assessed.
Now pupils will be given cards of information about how heart rate, breathing rate and concentrations of glycogen change during exercise and most importantly, why these response occur. Pupils can read their information card in pairs and using this they can fill in the table in their books. This activity is likely to take 15-20 minutes, once finished they can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
A mid-plenary task will quickly assess students knowledge of what they have learnt so far, then the final activity is a 10 mark exam-style question. You could allow pupils more time to answer these questions or for higher ability set a 10 minute timer and request that they complete in silent, exam conditions. The mark scheme is provided for pupils to mark their own work.
The plenary task is a 4-mark exam question with mark scheme provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first part of this lesson focuses on biodiversity, pupils will watch a video and have to answer questions whilst watching the video. Once complete pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided in the PowerPoint.
The next slide shows a graph depicting the human population growth in the last 8000 years and information describing the effect this is having on our planet.
The next part of the lesson focuses on human impacts on biodiversity. Firstly pupils will need to come up with a mind map of all the ways in which humans use the land. As an extension task pupils can also discuss what impact this may be having on our environment. Some key ideas will then be gone through using information provided on the PowerPoint.
Pupils will then watch a video on human impacts on biodiversity, using the information in the video they will need to answer a set of questions. Once this task is complete pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The next task focuses on waste produced from human activities, each pupil will be given a card of information on a specific pollutant and the effect it has on the environment. Pupils will need to walk around the room trading information in order to complete a table of information on these pollutants.
The very last task is an exam-style question, higher tier pupils can complete this question in the back of their books without looking at their notes from the lesson. Once completed pupils can assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write 3 facts, 2 key words and 1 question on what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW for the higher tier, biology only specification.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly be given, in pairs, information about Lamarck’s and Darwin’s theories of evolution. In pairs students will need to explain each theory to each other and discuss the merits and downfalls of each. The next task required pupils to summarise the main points of each of the scientists theories in a table, this work can be self-assessed against the answers provided.
Pupils will then be asked to consider the flaws in Lamarck’s theory, pupils will be asked to come up with a question to ask Lamarck about his theory and to discuss in pairs what they think the potential flaws of this theory could be. Once you have gone through pupils’ ideas as a class you can reveal some of the problems with this theory of evolution.
The next part of the lesson focuses on Darwin, firstly pupils will be asked to copy and complete sentences to summarise the main ideas from Darwin’s theory of evolution. Once this task is completed and marked, pupils will go on to look at why Darwin’s ideas were not published or accepted straight away. Pupils will be provided with some information but they will also need to use their own knowledge to answer a set of questions provided on a worksheet. Once this task is complete, a detailed mark scheme has been provided for pupils to either self or peer assess their work.
The very last task is an exam-style question, pupils will need to complete this in their books (at the back of books without notes for a stretch and challenge) and self or peer-assess using the mark scheme once they have finished.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt in the lesson using the key words provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This resource meets specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE Biology ‘Cells’ SoW.
For other resources designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by getting pupils to think about what diffusion is and then giving them the scientific definition for the process. Pupils will then need to read statements about the stages of diffusion, look at diagrams demonstrating these stages and match them together in their books. This activity will be self-assessed using the answers in the PowerPoint presentation.
Pupils will then need to think > pair > share about the factors they think will affect the rate of diffusion. Once they have come up with their own ideas and shared them as a class you can show them the animation provided to demonstrate how concentration of particles and size affects the rate of diffusion. Pupils are then asked to consider how temperature might affect the rate, you can demonstrate this affect using the link to another animation which demonstrates this effect.
Pupils will then complete a fill-in-the-blank task to demonstrate their knowledge of how these different factors affect the rate of diffusion, which can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
Pupils will then look at the importance of diffusion in living organisms and specifically the types of adaptation organism might have to speed up the rate of diffusion. The final activity is a past-paper questions, when completed pupils will self-asses using the mark scheme.
The plenary activity is quick past-paper question to complete and mark.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Organisation’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by identifying what metabolic rate is and then asking pupils to think about what important metabolic reactions take place within organisms. Pupils can discuss and try and come up with a brain storm in their books.
Pupils then learn about the role of the liver by watching a video and answering questions at the same time, once pupils have finished completing this task they can assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint slide.
Next, pupils need to specifically learn about the role of the liver in clearing lactic acid from the body. They will be given an information card and will need to answer some questions using this information, once finished they can mark or peer assess their work.
The final activity is an exam-style question about glycogen in the liver, pupils can answer this question in silence at the back of their books (for higher abilities this would be most suitable) or for lower abilities you may allow them to discuss and answer in pairs. Once completed they can mark their worn work.
The plenary activity is a list of answers, pupils need to come up with the questions to which these words are the answers.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Biology GCSE, particularly for the higher tier for the 'Infection & Response ' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by students being introduced to how bacteria are grown and then students will watch a video on the growth of bacteria, they will need to answer questions and then will assess their work using the answers provided. Using the information learnt from the video pupils will then need to fill out a method sheet to describe how you safely grow microorganisms on agar plates.
Pupils will then complete an exam-style question on what they have learnt so far as a mid-plenary and check their work.
(Optional practical activity: Instructions are given for pupils to now complete the practical to start growing cultures of bacteria on agar plates.)
The last half of the lesson will focus on mathematical skills related to working out the number of bacteria in a population. Pupils will watch a video to help them answer questions and then will need to complete questions by themselves, all answers are provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This is a resource for the NEW AQA GCSE Biology 'Infection & Response' unit.
Please find further resources designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly consider some traditional medicines such as digitalis for dropsy, willow trees for aspirin and penicillin mould.
Pupils then consider the time and money taken to conduct a drug trial, as well as the stages that are involved. Pupils will watch a video to determine the definition of a placebo and a double-blind trial, pupils should also use the video to identify how clinical scientists maintain a fair test during a clinical trial.
The next part of the lesson pupils will be introduced to what happens during the pre-clinical trial phase and the three stages of the clinical trial phase. Once students have learnt this they will need to match the key words to the definitions. They will also be given a set of 6 statements which they need to write in order, as a flow diagram, in their books to represent the stages of the drug trialling process. Pupils can then self-assess their work.
There is a 6-mark question on what they have learnt this lesson. To really test pupils' knowledge they should try and complete this in the back of their books, perhaps giving them a set of key words as prompts. For a less able class, they should be able to use their notes from the lesson. Pupils can peer-assess their work using the marking criteria on the PowerPoint slide.
All of the resources can be found on the PowerPoint slide, there is also extra resources at the end which could be used in an extra lesson or as a homework activity.
Other lessons from the 'Infection and Response' unit can be found in my TES shop :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Infection & Response’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson firstly begins by looking at what monoclonal antibodies are and how they are produced, using a flow diagram the first slide goes through these details. The next slide is the images from the flow diagram but no description of what is happening, pupils need to match the statements to the correct part of the process. This can then be assessed.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the uses of monoclonal antibodies, firstly pupils are given a set of questions about pregnancy tests which they will need to answer using a video. This can then be assessed using the answers provided.
Pupils are then given a table/asked to draw a table in their book for the different uses of monoclonal antibodies. Pupils will then need to use posters which can be positioned around the room or on desks to fill this table in.
The final activity is a card sort - pupils are given statements about the uses of monoclonal antibodies which are either advantages or disadvantages, pupils will need to write these statements into the correct column in their books. Once finished they can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary activity is for pupils to choose two questions to answer from a list about the topic of the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by students discussing what they think the waste products of the body are, they can write down their ideas into their books as a mind map. As an extension pupils can consider which processes within the body actually release these waste products.
The lesson then moves on to identify carbon dioxide and urea as the two major waste products of the body, pupils will then be given a levelled worksheet which they can complete by using information posters either placed around the room or placed on their desks. After pupils have completed this worksheet, they can self or peer assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The next task is an exam-style question on the work the pupils have just completed, higher ability pupils can challenge themselves by completing these questions in the back of their books and not looking at their notes. Once finished pupils can mark their work using the mark scheme provided in the PowerPoint slide.
The plenary task is an anagram challenge, pupils will need to unscramble 6 words to reveal 6 key words used within the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This is a lesson designed to meet specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE Biology ‘Bioenergetics’ scheme of work.
The lesson begins by pupils being introduced to the term ‘photosynthesis’ and then being asked to consider the raw materials that plants need in order for photosynthesis to occur. Pupils are then given three minutes to write down everything they have learnt about photosynthesis so far, with an extension task to write the word equation for the reaction.
In the next part of the lesson pupils are introduced to the word equations and are challenged to write a balanced symbol equation for this reaction.
Mid-lesson plenary involves a set of exam-questions (total marks = 9 marks) which they can complete in silence and then peer or self-assess using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils are then introduced to the concept of endothermic and exothermic reactions, they are given the definition for an endothermic reaction and are then asked to ‘think, pair, share’ with a partner about what an exothermic reaction might be and whether photosynthesis is endothermic or exothermic. After 5 minutes, pupils are given the answers and they can mark their work.
The final activity is for pupils to watch a video on the scientific investigation conducted by Van Helmont, pupils watch the video and answer questions on a worksheet which can then be self or peer-assessed using red pens.
Pupils can choose their plenary activity - either writing quiz questions on the topic of the lesson or summarising what they learnt by writing a twitter message along with #keywords.
All resources are included in the PowerPoint presentation, thank you for purchasing :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW and specifically for the higher tier.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with an overview of the function of the four main lobes of the brain, pupils will be given cards of information which they need to use to complete a table on these functions.
Pupils will then be introduced to further structures which they are required to know the functions of: medulla, cerebellum, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. Pupils will need to use posters to complete a worksheet where they label a diagram of the brain and outline the roles of each of these structures. Following this is a card sort where pupils can assess their understanding of what they have just learnt.
The next part of the lesson focuses on how scientists and doctors have gained evidence for the structure and function of the brain. Firstly students will watch a video and answers questions on Phineas Gage, which can be self-assessed once complete. This will then go on to describe the role of electrical brain stimulation and MRI scans in providing knowledge about the brain. This is assessed with a copy and complete summary sentence task and finally the plenary is a 6-mark exam question.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW, for the higher tier, biology only specification.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson with a think > share > pair task on the definition of a species, pupils ca try and come up with their own definitions before you reveal the true answer.
The next part of the lesson focuses on Alfred Russel Wallace and his work on the theory of speciation. Pupils will need to watch the video on Wallace and using the video come up with a timeline or notes on the life events and work produced by Wallace in his lifetime. Once this task is complete pupils can compare what they have written against success criteria provided, pupils can mark, correct and add any important notes using the criteria.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the process of speciation, firstly pupils will need to watch a video about organisms which are separated and the develop certain characteristics depending on the environment they are living in. The second video provides a more detailed description of how speciation occurs, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching this video. Pupils can mark their work using the mark scheme provided once they have completed this task.
The next task is a card/statement sort, pupils will need to place the statements provided (can cut out as a card sort) into the correct order to describe the process of speciation, once pupils have completed this task they can mark their work.
The final activity is an exam-style question on speciation, pupils will need to complete the exam question in their books (at the back without notes as an extra challenge). Once pupils have completed the exam question they can self or peer assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a twitter message by Alfred Wallace about his work on the theory of speciation.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)