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 ‘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 task is for pupils to think > pair > share the factors which may cause a contribution of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. Pupils can create a mind map in their books and then discuss their ideas as a table and then as a class. The next PowerPoint slide reveals some of the main factors which contribute to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere, pupils can check their work against these answers.
For the next task pupils will be required to watch a video about the greenhouse effect and answer questions in their books, this task can be self-assessed using the answers provided once complete. Using this information pupils will then be asked to fill in the blanks on a diagram depicting the greenhouse effect, pupils will be given captions to write into the correct boxes on their worksheet. This can be self-assessed once it has been completed.
Next pupils will be given a set of data on the mean world temperature change from 1960 to present day, students will be required to plot the data on a graph, describe the pattern of the graph and explain why the graph may be showing this pattern.
The next part of the lesson focuses on global warming, students will firstly be given a set of questions which they will need to answer whilst watching a video. This work can then be self-assessed using the answers provided.
For the very last task pupils will be given a card of information each detailing an environmental factor and it’s impact on living organisms. Pupils will need to wander around the room and share information with each other to complete their table of environmental factors.
The plenary task is for pupils to identify what the questions might be for a set of answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
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 with a definition of homeostasis and pupils will then need to discuss in pairs the conditions that they think need to be controlled by the body. This leads on to revealing these factors and looking specifically at the way in which water can be lost and gained by the body. Pupils the complete a couple of questions on the topic.
Next is a focus on temperature control in the body, pupils need to consider what might happen if the temperature rises too high or falls too low and come up with ideas about how this might affect the body. Having already covered enzymes hopefully they might have some clue about what might happen. You can reveal the answer and pupils then need to complete a small worksheet to summarise these ideas.
Next pupils are challenged to think about what parts of our body control our reactions, pupils are asked to complete a challenge which gets them thinking about coordination and they will then write down any organs they think were involved with this process. The nervous and endocrine system are then introduced, pupils will need to copy and complete summary sentences to describe the main structures and functions of these two systems in controlling the body.
Pupils will then complete an exam question on the differences between nervous and endocrine control, the mark scheme is provided for pupils to mark their work.
Finally pupils look at the role of negative feedback in the body and how this works with the example of temperature control. Pupils will need to sketch a simple graph into their books and use labels provided to demonstrate how this process occurs. Again, the finished diagram is included so pupils can assess their own work.
A plenary activity is to complete an exit card listing key words, facts and to pose a question about the work covered in 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
The lesson begins with a recap on the difference between a stimulus and a receptor and asks students to think>pair>share what the function of photoreceptors might be and where they are found.
Pupils are then shown a diagram of an eye, pupils are asked to consider (from a list of structures provided) which labels might go where, they can discuss in pairs and annotate their own diagram if they know for sure. Pupils can then assess their own work when the answers are revealed on the next slide. Pupils must now learn the functions of each of these structures, they will each be given a slip of information about the function of one part of the eye and they should walk around the room and share their information to complete the table in their books. This task can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the pupil reflex, firstly a practical is undertaken whereby pupils block out light from the room and then observe what happens to their partners pupils when they bring a torch to the side of their partners eye. This leads into a description of the pupils reflex, including the role of the circular and radial muscles. Pupils will need to summarise this information by copying and completing the sentences into their book, which can be self-assessed once completed.
The last activity is looking at how light is focused on the retina by the lens, pupils are shown a diagram of how this works. After being given a verbal description they are asked to firstly copy the diagram complete with labels and explain how light is focused on the retina using a list of key words that are provided.
The plenary task is an exam question on what the students have learnt this lesson, pupils should complete this in silence in their books and then red-pen their work using the mark scheme provided once they have finished.
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 students given some pictures of a range of people that look differently to one another, students will need to think > pair > share what the differences are between these people and the reasons why they look different to each other.
Pupils will then be introduced to the difference between examples of inherited and environmental characteristics. Firstly pupils will focus on inherited characteristics, the students will need to complete a mind map in their books of the traits they have inherited from their parents (or from grandparents). As an extra challenge pupils can consider why they do not look identical to either parent.
The next task will focus on environmental characteristics, pupils will need to draw a table in their books and they will need to sort examples of environmental factors with the type of environmental variation they cause into the table correctly. This work can be self-assessed once it is is complete using the answers provided.
For the next activity pupils will be given a card sort of different examples of variation, e.g. height, freckles, eye colour, tattoos. Pupils will need to sort these cards into a Venn diagram in their books - just inherited variation, just environmental variation or potentially caused by both. This work can be self-assessed once it is complete.
The next part of the lesson focuses on types of data - continuous or discontinuous. Pupils are firstly shown the difference between the two and then they will need to complete a worksheet to assess their understanding on this. Once completed the worksheet can be self or peer assessed.
The final task is for pupils to get into teams (or be sorted by the teacher into teams) and they work their way around the room filling in information about themselves for different types of traits (e.g. handedness, foot length, whether they can roll their tongue). Pupils will assigned one trait each and will need to produce a graph of the class results. This will test their understanding of continuous vs. discontinuous data and how this should be represented in a graph format.
The plenary task is for pupils to consider a world where there was no variation and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this world, trying to use some of 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 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 begins with an introduction of the process of aerobic respiration including the word equations that pupils will need to learn. Next is a video, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching the video, once it is finished they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils are then introduced to the idea that aerobic respiration is exothermic and look specifically at the ultra-structure of the cell and which parts are important for respiration, this activity is a match up activity that pupils can complete and then mark.
A mid-plenary is a true or false task and the final activity is a levelled worksheet pupils will complete using information cards on how animal and plant organisms use the energy released by respiration. Once finished they can self-assess using the mark scheme on the PowerPoint slides.
Pupils have a choice of two activities to complete for their plenary - either an anagram challenge or a summary sentence using a list of key words.
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 task involves pupils discussing the definitions for a set of ecological terms, pupils can write their ideas down in their books and then watching a video to fill in any blanks they were unsure of. Once this has been completed pupils can self-assess their answers using the mark scheme provided.
The next task is for pupils to think > pair> share about how animals are interdependent upon each other, they can write down their ideas as a brain storm in their books. Once this has been completed, pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
Pupils will then be given some information on stable communities, they will need to read this information in pairs and then try and answer a set of questions. They can then self-assess their work, correcting anything they didn’t get correct using the answers provided.
Pupils will now be introduced to the difference between abiotic and biotic factors, the first task is for pupils to watch a video and sort the factors demonstrated in the video into two columns – abiotic vs. biotic. They will then be given a set of descriptions, pupils will firstly need to identify which factor is for a list provided and the second task is for pupils to identify whether this factor is biotic or abiotic. Pupils can complete this on the worksheet provided, once completed students can either self-assess or peer-assess their work, making any corrections if necessary.
The plenary task is for pupils to choose two organisms from the pictures on the PowerPoint slide, they will need to describe the difference in habitats between the organisms and compare the abiotic and biotic factors which affect their survival.
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 the 'Homeostasis' SoW and for higher tier pupils.
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 introduction to the reasons why a patient might be suffering with kidney damage and introduced to the treatments pupils will be learning about this lesson: dialysis and kidney transplants.
For the next part of the lesson pupils will then need to get into four groups, two groups will read information on the treatment of dialysis and two will read information on kidney transplants. Using this information pupils will answer questions in their book and once a group has finished with one of the treatments, they should swap with another groups and answer questions about the other treatment. This task should take 40 minutes in total, once finished pupils should self-assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
The last activity is for pupils to answer an exam-style question on the function of the kidneys and treatment for patients with kidney disease, once completed pupils can mark their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is a 3-2-1 task, pupils write down 3 facts, 2 key words and 1 question to test peers knowledge of 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 pupils being provided with the aim of the investigation plus an equipment list, pupils will need to use this to decide what the independent, dependent and control variables of the practical may be. The next slide runs through some of the important details of the practical, using this pupils will then need to write a step-by-step method summarising how they are planning to conduct their investigation, they can work in groups to plan this but must complete their own worksheet.
Next, pupil will conduct the experiment to measure the effect of a distraction on student volunteers reaction time. Results should be collected using the worksheet provided, once they have collected their raw data they can use this (as well as the calculation provided) to work out the reaction time for each volunteer in each trial, and a mean can be calculated.
Once the second table of results on the calculated reaction times have been filled in pupils can complete their graph of results, this can then be used to write a conclusion using prompt questions provided on the plenary slide of the PowerPoint presentation.
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 starts by pupils discussing what they think might be some differences between primary and secondary sexual characteristics in males and females. Once they have brainstormed their ideas and you have carried out a short classroom discussion you can identify the differences between these two sets of characteristics.
The next slide provides students with a long list of statements describing secondary sexual characteristics of both males and females, pupils will need to sort the statements into two columns - male female - some will go into both. Once finished pupils can assess their work using the answers.
Now pupils will look at the structures found in both male and female reproductive systems and the roles they play. Pupils will be shown a diagram to demonstrate these parts and then pupils will be given a blank worksheet and a set of jumbled statements, they will need to match the structures to the correct part on their diagram. This work can then be assessed to check they have correctly matched the organs and functions.
Pupils will now watch a video introducing the menstrual cycle, using the video pupils will need to try and write a describe the roles each of the female hormones - oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH - plays in the menstrual cycle. If pupils weren’t able to get down a detailed answer they can mark and correct their work using answers provided.
The final activity is an exam-style question, along with the mark scheme to check their work.
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 an outline on the role of the kidney, pupils are asked recap questions on how water enters and leaves the body, which can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The next slide outlines the main functions of the kidney in controlling water and mineral ion balance, pupils will then need to answer questions on this information. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided on the following slide.
Pupils will then watch a video on how the kidneys work, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching the video. Once the video is finished they can assess their own work using the answers provided. To summarise what the students have learnt so far they will then copy and complete sentences, filling in the blanks with the key words provided. Again, the answers for this task are provided for pupils to assess their work.
The next part of the lesson focuses specifically on the release of ADH from the pituitary gland and it's control over the water balance in the body. Pupils are shown a flow diagram of the responses when water levels either rise too high or fall too low in the body. Pupils will then be given a list of statements and will be asked to recreate their own flow diagram to demonstrate this process. This work can then be assessed using the answers provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to come up with three summary sentences about 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 lesson is designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy GCSE Biology 'Organisation' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly be introduced to guard cells and stomata and how they are able t control the loss of water from the plant, diagrams of guard cells turgid and flaccid will help with this description.
Pupils will then be given a set of questions which they will complete using a video, once completed pupils can then assess their work using the answers provided.
The next slide shows the process of transpiration, pupils are shown a diagram and then descriptions of each stage in the transpiration process are shown stage by stage. You may need lower ability pupils to copy the stages up off the board in note form first. For higher ability pupils after you have gone through it a couple of times you can move the slide forward and pupils will need to write a description of the process of transpiration using the list of key words and diagram as a cue.
After this has been completed pupils will then focus on the factors affecting the rate of transpiration, pupils will each be given a slip of information about a factor and how it affects the loss of water from the plant. Pupils will need to swap information with those around them to complete their table. If pupils do not quite finish this task they can assess their work using the completed table provided in the PowerPoint.
The last activity is for pupils to complete exam questions on the topic of the lesson. Pupils will be given 6 minutes as it is worth 6 marks, they should try and complete the question in silence at the back of their books if possible.
The plenary task is for pupils to write down 6 key words from the lesson.
All resources are included in the PowerPoint slides, please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section and leave feedback if you download and use :) thanks!
This is a lesson which meets specification points within the AQA Biology Trilogy - Cells SoW.
The lesson begins by pupils using posters around the room to complete a levelled worksheet on the structure and function of animal and plant cells. Pupils will then peer-assess their work, providing feedback of the grade each pupil achieved and ways to improve their work.
Pupils will then complete a 'revision' task in the back of their books, they will need to stick in a sheet and match the structure to the function. Pupils can self-assess their work.
The final task, an assessment task, involves pupils answering a past-paper questions. They should try and do this with their book closed to test their knowledge of what they have learnt this lesson.
Pupil can then either peer-assess or self-assess their work.
All resources are included, please review with any feedback :)
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 with a think > pair > share task asking pupils to consider the different ways in which males, females or both could potentially find difficulty in conceiving a baby. Images are shown in order to prompt students to think about the anatomy of the male and female reproductive system. Answers will then be provided, pupils can check their ideas against those shown on the PowerPoint slide and red-pen their work.
The next task is a fill-in-the-blank task on the role of FSH and LH during fertility treatments, pupils will need to consider the job of these two hormones in a healthy woman (covered during the menstrual cycle lesson) and then summarise how these hormones are used in fertility drugs. This work can be assessed using the answers provided once complete.
The next part of the lesson focuses on how in vitro fertilisation works, pupils will be shown diagrams and descriptions of the stages involved with this process. Extra challenge questions are provided at the bottom of the worksheet should some students complete their work quickly. Pupils will then need to complete a worksheet o summarise these steps, once completed this work can be assessed using the mark schemes provided.
Finally, students will need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of IVF. They will be given some information, one between two, they will need to use this information to summarise the pro's and con's of IVF. For the last task pupils will be given opinion cards in groups, they should read out the opinion cards and discuss which one's they agree with and why. They should then write a conclusion of their own opinions on IVF in their books, using as many valid scientific points as possible.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a twitter message about what they have learnt that 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 begins with a think > pair > share task where pupils will need to discuss the definition of ‘competition’. After revealing the definition for competition within the ecology context, pupils will then need to think about the types of resources that plants and animals compete for. They will be given a set of resources, they will need to sort these resources into two columns – those that animals compete for and those that plants compete for. Once this task is complete pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint slide.
In the next activity pupils will need to draw a table in their books and they will watch a video on competition in a variety of organisms. Pupils will fill in their table by identifying the organism and then describing how it competes for the resource/s that it needs.
Pupils will then be asked to think about why animals and plants may want to avoid competition, pupils can discuss with their partner and write their answers in their books. The answers can be revealed using the PowerPoint slide. Pupils can mark and check their work.
The focus of the next part of the lesson is for pupils to consider how plants might avoid competition with other plants, pupils are asked to look at some pictures showing how plants avoid competition and students can discuss in pairs what they think the pictures are demonstrating. The answers to this task can then be revealed and pupils can check their answers, making any corrections where necessary.
The final task is an exam-style question on competition, pupils will answer the question in their books and can then self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt in three sentences, trying to use as many key words from the key word list 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 is a lesson designed to meet specification points for the new Biology Trilogy 'Bioenergetics' scheme of work.
The lesson begins by focusing on the location of the main organs in the plant, students are then asked to match the name of the organs to their function. Once this work is self-assessed pupils will watch a video which will outline some of the adaptations a plant has that enables it to carry out photosynthesis.
Pupils are then introduced to the major tissues in the leaf of a plant and are given some information on the location, structure and function of these tissues. Using this information pupils are required to complete a worksheet labelling a cross-section of a leaf. Once finished, pupils can use the mark scheme within the PowerPoint presentation to check their work.
Students are then asked to consider why plants and the process of photosynthesis is so important. They are reminded of the fact that plants are needed to harness sunlight energy and synthesise organic molecules like glucose which not provides energy to the plant but to all organisms further up the food chain.
The final activity is a past-paper question worksheet that pupils should complete in silence, once finished they can either self-assess or peer-assess using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary is for students to summarise what they have learnt in the lesson by writing 3 facts, 2 key words and posing 1 question to their peers.
All resources are found at the end of the PowerPoint presentation. Thank you for purchasing :)
This lesson is designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy GCSE Biology ‘Organisation’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins by pupils observing a diagram of a phloem and a xylem vessel and discussing what the similarities and differences are between the two tissues. This can lead into a class discussion about the two structures.
Next is a quick recap task, pupils should have already looked at the overall function of both of these vessels so pupils now need to complete sentences to describe the role of the xylem an phloem vessel in plants.
The next activity is a video, pupils will given a set of questions and they will need to answer these questions using the video. Once finished they can self-assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Next, pupils will need to draw two columns in their book entitled Xylem and Phloem and sort statements into these two columns, after this is completed they can assess their work.
The last thing students will need to consider is why is transport so important in plants, pupils will discuss/brainstorm in their books why sugars, mineral ions and water are important to the plant. The answers can then be revealed to them.
The final activity is a past-paper 6 mark question, pupils will need to attempt to answer this on their own, at the back of their books for an extra challenge!
Plenary activity is to complete a summary of what the students have learnt that lesson, a list of key words will be provided to help them complete this task.
All resources are included in the PowerPoint, any questions please ask me via the comments section. Any feedback of this lesson would be much appreciated :) thank you!
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 lesson begins with students recapping on the factors which may affect the distribution of organisms within an environment. Once pupils have discussed their ideas of abiotic and biotic factors which may affect organisms within their habitat they will need to assess their work using the answers provided.
The lesson will then focus on sampling techniques, firstly outlining what a quadrat is and how it is used when sampling an environment. The importance of random sampling is stressed & pupils will need to come up with some ideas as to how random samples could be obtained. Once their ideas have been assessed pupils can then move onto a worksheet which demonstrates how random sampling is conducted and explains how to work out the range, mean, median & mode of a data set.
Transect sampling is now introduced, pupils will watch a video and answer a set of questions watching the video. Once this task is complete pupils can answer the question using the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
The final task is for pupils to perform their own sampling investigation, a worksheet is provided detailing the equipment needed, a method, a species identification key & a results table. Pupils can work in groups of 3 - 5 and use an area close to school such as the sports field / any large grassy area to complete their investigation. Once this is complete pupils can use their data set to find the range, mean, median & mode for each species.
The plenary task is for pupils to write down three facts, three key words and a question based 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 ‘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 begins with an introduction to evolutionary trees, pupils will be shown how to interpret evolutionary trees and understand the common ancestry between species of organisms. Pupils will then be shown the difference between convergent and divergent evolution.
The next part of the lesson will focus on the work of Woese et al, pupils will watch a video and try to answer questions about Woese and his work, this can be assessed using the answers which can be revealed once the video has been watched. Pupils can then watch a second video, using this video they will then try to complete profile cards for three domains as proposed by Woese – archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. Pupils can again check their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint slide.
Pupils will then be given some information on Woese and his work, students will need to use this information along with what they have learnt so far in the lesson to complete a newspaper article on his work and infamous discovery.
The next part of the lesson looks again at evolutionary trees, pupils are shown how to use an evolutionary tree to compare the relationships between organisms. Pupils will then need to complete an exam-style question on evolutionary trees, which can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to come up with questions for a set of 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 is a resource which meets specification points within the NEW AQA GCSE Trilogy 'Cells' Sow.
Other lessons designed for the new 'Cells' SoW and other new Trilogy Biology and Physics SoW can be found in my TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by identifying the purpose of mitosis - growth and repair. Pupils will then be given a double-sided worksheet, the first side corresponds to the first 5 mins 51 seconds of the video included in the PowerPoint slide. Pupils will need to watch the video and answer the questions on the sheet, they are in order but for lower ability classes you may want to stop the video and guide pupils through the work. Self-assess this work using the answers provided in the PowerPoint before moving on with the video.
The next part of the video guides pupils through what happens during Mitosis - Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase. Pupils have diagrams of the the processes on the back of their worksheet, they will need to use the video to name the stages and describe what is happening. Self-assess work using the answers that are provided in the PowerPoint.
The next activity, pupils are given real images of a cell going through mitosis and descriptions of the stages, they need to cut and stick the stages and the pictures in the correct order to complete a flow diagram. Pupils peer or self-assess their work using red/green pens.
**Past-paper question provided as an extra activity for higher-ability pupils - pupils answer the question in their books and peer-assess using the mark scheme**
Plenary - pupils write a text message or a tweet to their friend to tell them what they have learnt about this lesson.
All resources are included, as well as mark schemes for when pupils self/peer-assess their work.
Please leave a review with feedback :) thanks!
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 looking an organism - a cat- and asking pupils to think about the types of stimulus the cat might respond to in it’s environment, plus which organs it needs to sense these stimuli. Pupils will brainstorm their ideas and then self-assess their work once the answers are revealed, additionally they will answer an exam question on this topic.
Next, pupils focus on the effectors and their role in the nervous system. Pupils will be provided with a description of the role of muscles and glands as effectors and will then need to complete an exam question to assess their knowledge, mark scheme provided for either peer or self-assessment.
The next part of the lesson will focus on neurons, firstly a diagram of a neuron cell is shown and pupils need to think about how this cell is similar and different to a normal animal cell. Pupils may discuss this in pairs and try and come up with an answer before the mark scheme is revealed. Sensory and motor neurons are now introduced via an animation, pupils can look at the pathway the electrical impulse travels as it moved around the nervous system. Pupils will use this to then copy and complete a summary to describe this process, when completed this can be self-assessed.
The final activity is for pupils to copy and complete a table to sum up the main functions of each part the human nervous system either by using a card sort or by putting the statements on the board. This can then be peer or self-assessed when complete
The plenary activity is for pupils to summarise the 5 main key words they have learnt that 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 :)