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Spark Science

Average Rating4.56
(based on 18 reviews)

Spark Science provides high quality science educational resources for secondary school teachers. From dual-coding, literacy and reading tasks, dyslexic friendly backgrounds, and continual Assessment for Learning (AfL) tasks embedded into all our lessons, Spark lessons will increase engagement, participation and understanding for your students.

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Spark Science provides high quality science educational resources for secondary school teachers. From dual-coding, literacy and reading tasks, dyslexic friendly backgrounds, and continual Assessment for Learning (AfL) tasks embedded into all our lessons, Spark lessons will increase engagement, participation and understanding for your students.
KS3 - Fields
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Fields

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A short, engaging lesson (ideal to complete before a mid-topic summary) designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson teaches students about what a field is and how forces are felt within fields for different non-contact forces (especially gravitational fields and magnetic fields). This resource contains: Lesson powerpoint - including full answers, mini-practical with instructions for students Lesson resources contain: In-built challenge tasks throughout A mini “discovery” style practical Objectives: Students will be able to… Describe what a “field” is Describe the effects of fields Resources and slides ask students the key questions and develops ideas and concepts from the ground up and address common issues, mistakes and misconceptions.
KS3 - Accuracy, Precision and Hypotheses
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Accuracy, Precision and Hypotheses

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This lesson is the first lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist” topic. It covers what accurate and precise data means/looks like, as well as the difference between a prediction and a hypothesis. This lesson is designed with formative assessment in mind and a large use of hand/finger voting and mini-whiteboards for AFL feedback. It contains all answers to the tasks and is great for a non-specialist science teacher. Lesson Objectives: Write a hypothesis from variables Describe the difference between accurate and precise I will work scientifically to: Identify variables in a practical Identify data that is accurate and precise This lesson contains: Powerpoint - including quizzes to test understanding, student questions to answer, challenge tasks throughout, and full answers. The powerpoint also uses colour-coding to help support AEN and EAL students follow and understand concepts in the lesson.
KS3 Introduction to Waves
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 Introduction to Waves

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This lesson covers what longitudinal and transverse waves are, the features of both kinds of waves, examples of these waves and what happens when waves meet barriers or each other. This is a perfect introduction lesson to KS3 topic on sound and waves. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including instructions for key demonstrations of both types of waves, full answers, plenary tasks, AFL whiteboard and discussion activities Student worksheet (PDF and editable version) Student worksheet answers sheet (PDF and editable version) Lesson Objectives Name the two different types of waves and label their features Give an example of each kind of wave Describe what happens when waves hit a barrier Describe what happens when waves superimpose
KS3 - Calculating Means, Medians and Modes
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Calculating Means, Medians and Modes

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This is the fourth lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist 2” topic. This lesson gets students to practice maniplulating data to find means, medians and modes. This lesson contains AFL whiteboard tasks to assess student understanding in real time, a data collection activity and various opportunities for students to practice calculations. This lesson resource contains all answers as well as challenge tasks. It is designed to be easy to follow and present, so is great for non-specialist teachers. Lesson resources: Lesson powerpoint containing teacher help/instructions in the “notes” section, AFL whiteboard activity, student data collection and manipulation activities, challenge tasks throughout Lesson objectives: Describe what a mean, median and mode are Calculate Mean, Mode and Median for a set of data For this lesson students will need: Calculators
KS3 - Forces
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Forces

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This is a KS3 physics lesson covering what forces are, common forces and identifying them in simple examples, contact vs non-contact forces, and how to measure forces. This resource contains: Teacher powerpoint (with teacher delivery notes, practical investigation, mini-whiteboard afl quizzes, and challenge tasks throughout) Matching forces and descriptions worksheet (PDF and editable versions) **Lesson objectives: ** Explain what forces are Compare different types of forces Describe how to measure forces and give the unit of force
KS3 - Hooke's Law
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Hooke's Law

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A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson teaches students about the reaction force, how forces stretch or squash an object, and Hooke’s Law in relation to springs. This resource contains: Lesson powerpoint - including full answers and teacher notes; practical instructions, equipment list, and safety instructions, follow up questions Student practical worksheet (PDF and editable version) Student graph axis (PDF and editable version) - if you don’t want to print a whole worksheet Objectives: Students will be able to… Describe how forces deform objects Describe how solid surfaces provide a support force Investigate and use Hooke’s Law Students will work scientifically to: Take accurate measurements Plot a graph Draw a line of best fit on a graph
KS3 - Eclipses
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Eclipses

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This lesson is the sixth and final lesson in the “Space” topic and covers what solar and lunar total/partial eclipses are and why they happen. The lesson contains an optional class practical/demonstration of eclipses, AFL mini-whiteboard tasks to assess understanding, video task, and stretch and challenge tasks for higher ability students throughout. This lesson is designed to be easy to teach, student led, and is ideal for non-specialist teachers. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions and tips for teachers, full answers, mini-class practical instructions, plenary task, AFL whiteboard tasks, and relevant video link Student eclipses worksheet (PDF) and answer sheet (PDF) Lesson Objectives: State what a solar and lunar eclipse are Explain how solar and lunar eclipses happen
KS3 - Formation of the Solar System
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Formation of the Solar System

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This lesson is the third lesson in the “Space” topic and covers the basics of how our solar system formed. The lesson contains links to online videos, whole class AFL tasks to assess understanding and two independent tasks for students to complete. This lesson is designed to be easy to teach, student led and is ideal for non-specialist teachers. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions for teachers, full answers, AFL whiteboard task and discussion activities Student Gap fill summary worksheet (PDF) AND answer sheet (PDF) Student crossword activity worksheet (PDF) AND answer sheet (PDF) Lesson Objectives: Describe how the Solar System formed
KS3 Introduction to Space: The Night Sky
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 Introduction to Space: The Night Sky

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This lesson is the first lesson in the “Space” topic and covers some of the main objects that can be found in the night sky as well as describing our place in the universe. The lesson contains various links to online videos, modelling software and simulations that really help students understand the vastness of space and allow them to explore the universe in which we live. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions for teachers, full answers, plenary task, AFL whiteboard task and discussion activities Lesson Objectives: Describe the objects that you can see in the night sky Describe the structure of the universe
KS3 - The Solar System
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - The Solar System

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This lesson is the second lesson in the “Space” topic and covers the structure of our solar system and the composition of the planets within it. The lesson contains various links to online videos, modelling software and simulations that really help students understand the vastness of space and allow them to explore the universe in which we live. It also addresses the misconception around the distances between selestial objects, gives students the opportunity to describe strenghts and weaknesses in scientific models, and an activity to get students to identify patterns and trends in data about the planets. This lesson is designed to be easy to teach, student led and is ideal for non-specialist teachers. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions for teachers, full answers, 3 main student activity tasks to choose from, plenary task, AFL whiteboard task and discussion activities Student Activity Worksheet and Answer Sheet (PDF) (Main task Option C) Lesson Objectives: Describe the structure of our Solar System Compare position and composition of the planets of the Solar System Identify trends and patterns in data and draw conclusions
KS3 - Choosing Graphs and Drawing Pie Charts
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Choosing Graphs and Drawing Pie Charts

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This is the third lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist” topic. This lesson revises what discrete, catagoric and continuous data are, and practices getting students to select the correct graph (bar chart, line graph or pie chart) to use for different examples of data. Students will also practice drawing their own pie charts. The lesson powerpoint is interactive and packed with quick and easy AFL tasks to help teachers assess the class understanding of content, and can be sped up or slowed down as necessary. The lesson is complete and is a “click and teach” style lesson that will require little to no prep work for the teacher, so is ideal for those short on time and non-specialist teachers. This lesson includes: Teacher powerpoint with full answers built into slides, teacher delivery and hints in “notes” section, worked examples, AFL finger voting activites to assess understanding, answers to student worksheet Student worksheet (PDF) Lesson Objectives: Select the appropriate graph to display data Present data as a pie chart For this lesson students will need: Calculators Pencils Protractors This lesson is taught with the assumption that students have met “types of data” before, but have never drawn pie charts or calculated angles of pie charts.
KS3 - Bias, Evidence and Peer-Reviewing
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Bias, Evidence and Peer-Reviewing

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This is the last lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist 2” Topic. It covers types of evidence, sources of bias in research and evidence, the process of peer-reviewing and what things we should look for when deciding whether evidence (and the conclusions drawn from it) is good. This lesson is an interactive lesson filled with student activities and participation, including finger voting, class discussions/debates, and mini-whiteboard tasks. This lesson is designed to be “click and teach” and will require very little planning by the teacher, and with teacher delivery notes and all answers built into the slides it is perfect for non-specialists and those a little uncertain about the lesson content. Lesson Resources contain: Lesson powerpoint including class discussions, finger voting AFL tasks, whiteboard AFL tasks, discussion slides, careers links, plenary task, student summary questions, and full answers throughout Lesson outcomes: Describe how to assess sources of evidence Identify possible sources of bias Describe what a peer-review is
KS3 - Writing Risk Assessments
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Writing Risk Assessments

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This lesson is the second lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist” topic. This lesson covers what a hazard, risk and control measure are, what some common hazards are in a lab and how to control them, as well as a practical investigation for students to write their own risk assessment. Lesson Objectives: State common risks from hazards Describe how these risks are managed Write a risk assessment for a scientific investigation I will work scientifically to: Carry out a practical investigation safely Lesson resources contain: Powerpoint - containing information slides, student mini-whiteboard AFL quiz, complete and interactive answer slides, plenary activity Student practical worksheet (PDF and editable word versions)
KS3 - Drawing Force Diagrams
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Drawing Force Diagrams

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This is a KS3 physics lesson covering how do draw and label basic force diagrams. NOTE: this lesson doesn’t discuss size of force arrows, but focuses on drawing force arrows touching objects in the correct places and going in the correct direction. This resource contains: Teacher powerpoint (with teacher delivery notes, “I do, we do, you do” structured delivery task, plenary AFL quiz, and full work through answers animated into each slide) Student worksheet (PDF and editable versions) Student worksheet answers (PDF and editable versions) Lesson objectives: Describe how forces are represented Identify the direction a force acts on an object Draw and/or label force arrows on diagrams for simple example
KS3 - Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

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A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson covers what balanced and unbalanced forces are, how to calculate resultant forces in one dimension, and the effects balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of an object. This resource contains: Lesson powerpoint - including teacher notes, interactive AFL tasks, student written task, and full answers to all activities. Lesson resources contain: In-built challenge tasks throughout In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities Various activites to assess progress and understanding that you can tailor to fit any class or available resources Objectives: Students will be able to… Describe the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces Explain why objects are in equilibrium Explain the changing motion of objects Calculating resultant forces in one dimension
KS3 - Drag and Friction
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Drag and Friction

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A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson covers drag and friction, the different places we get both and where they are useful and not useful, as well as a simple student practical to measure the effects of different surfaces on friction. This lesson contains: Lesson powerpoint - including teacher notes, full answers, interactive activities, student practical with follow-up questions, and plenary Lesson resources contain: In-built challenge tasks throughout In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities and EAL (including dual-coding) Practical investigation of the effects of different surfaces on friction Careers links Objectives: Students will be able to… Describe the effect of drag forces and friction Explain how drag forces and friction arise Describe how drag forces and friction can be reduced Students will be working scientifically to: Measure force using a newton meter Record data in an appropriate table use my observations to make a conclusion
KS3 - Calculating Weight
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Calculating Weight

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A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson teaches students the difference between weight and mass, and how to calculate weight using the “LESS” method. This resource contains: Lesson powerpoint - including, full answers, mini-whiteboard AFL, practice activities, full “I do, we do, you do” guided slides for calculations Student practice worksheet (PDF and editable version) Teacher answer sheet (PDF and editable version) Lesson resources contain: In-built challenge tasks throughout In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities Various activites to assess progress and understanding that you can tailor to fit any class or available resources Objectives: Students will be able to… Describe the difference between weight and mass Calculate the weight of an object Explain why weight is different on different planets Students will work scientifically to: Convert units Calculate values using a calculator Resources and slides ask students the key questions and develops ideas and concepts from the ground up and address common issues, mistakes and misconceptions. This lesson contains AFL tasks which require mini-whiteboards, but can be adapted if these are not available.
KS3 - Why we Get Seasons
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Why we Get Seasons

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This lesson is the fourth lesson in the “Space” topic and covers why we get different length days and different temperatures at different times of year. The lesson contains a mini-student practical, animated gifs to illustrate concepts clearly, AFL miniwhiteboard tasks to assess understanding, and a link to an online modelling software that really helps students understand the changing angles and position of the sun at different times of year. This lesson is designed to be easy to teach, student led and is ideal for non-specialist teachers. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions and tips for teachers, full answers, gif illustrations, simulation link, plenary task, AFL whiteboard tasks and discussion activities Lesson Objectives: Explain the apparent motion of objects in the sky Explain why hours of daylight and temperature change during the year Describe seasonal changes in different places on Earth
KS3 - Communicating Scientific Infomation
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Communicating Scientific Infomation

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This lesson is lesson 6 in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist 2” topic. This lesson focuses on how we communicate science to different audiences, and how we can tailor our writing and presentation of information to suit them. This lesson is designed to be a “click and teach” lesson with minimal planning needed from the teacher, which is great for non-specialist teachers. Lesson resources contain: Lesson powerpoint containing class activities and instructions, teacher delivery notes in “notes” section, discussion slides and full answers. PDF copies of different types of scientific communication (A childrens science book, newspaper article and scientific journal article) all about melting ice caps. PDF copy of a simple scientific journal article for students to adapt about the effects of temperature on seed germination (Students should have already looked at germination in Year 7) NOTE: All example pieces of scientific writing are all tailor made for this lesson and are of the correct reading age for Year 8 students. Lesson Outcomes: Describe the key features of effective scientific communication Describe how to adapt communication for different audiences
KS3 - Phases of the Moon
emily_k_brown1994emily_k_brown1994

KS3 - Phases of the Moon

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This lesson is the fifth lesson in the “Space” topic and covers why the moon appears to change shape in our sky and the names of the phases of the moon. The lesson contains a mini-student practical, AFL mini-whiteboard tasks to assess understanding, challenge tasks for higher ability students, and a link to an online modelling software that really helps students understand the changing phases of the moon. This lesson is designed to be easy to teach, student led and is ideal for non-specialist teachers. This Lesson Contains: Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions and tips for teachers, full answers, simulation link, mini-class practical (and optional alternatives), plenary task, AFL whiteboard tasks and discussion activities Student phases of the moon worksheet (PDF) and answer sheet (PDF) Lesson Objectives: Name/Sketch/Describe the phases of the Moon Explain why you see phases of the Moon