I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
Two powerpoints and worksheets to guide pupils through the required practical experiments in Topic 6: Rates of reaction (magnesium and hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid). The lessons feature:
- Starter activities to recap factors affecting the rate of a reaction and measuring the rate of a reaction
- Animated powerpoints to help pupils develop a hypothesis for each investigation and identify variables
- Instructions for each practical
- Extension tasks incorporating past paper questions (with animated answers on the powerpoint) to allow pupils to apply their understanding from completion of the required practicals
- Worksheets containing success criteria checklists to guide pupils through the required practical tasks.
A lesson/ series of lessons covering the steps used in the treatment of water (designed specifically to match AQA spec), including the required practical activity to desalinate water and test for the presence of sodium and chloride ions. The lesson features:
- A learning mat following the powerpoint looking at the treatment of freshwater, seawater and wastewater (has missing key terms though could be adapted to provide more challenge)
- Review past paper questions with animated answers on the powerpoint to assess student understanding of water treatment
- Step-by-step instructions including a table of results to allow students to complete the RPA.
- A sheet with success criteria and extension questions to assess student understanding of the RPA task
- Review questions for the lesson
A lesson looking at the properties and uses of ceramics, composites and polymers. The lesson also recaps content from topic 2 and topic 7, covering the structure and bonding in polymers and the process of polymerisation (including how to draw repeating units for polymers)
Lesson features include:
A series of basic recall questions from previous learning (water treatment, the purification of water required practical, rusting, methods to prevent corrosion, alloys and alternative methods of copper extraction)
A fun introduction to the concept of a composite using a video
A slide containing small information cards on the properties and composition of four different composites with a table to fill in (this could be used as an envoy activity/ group activity)
Information on glass and clay ceramics
Slides introducing the concept of a polymer and how polymerisation occurs
Worked examples of how to draw repeating units with exam-style practice questions for students to attempt
A paired teaching activity on thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers for students to complete. This is then followed by a independent learning task on the two types of polymer with success criteria provided
An exam-style extension question comparing the structure and properties of thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers with animated mark scheme
Review questions where students apply their understanding of the properties of materials to justify the selection of a material for a scenario
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the structure of carboxylic acids, reactions of carboxylic acids and the formation of polymers by addition and condensation polymerisation. The lesson also recaps content from topic 2 and topic 10, covering the difference between thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers and the issues surrounding the disposal of polymers. Lesson features include:
- A question grid with basic recall questions from previous learning (fractional distillation, cracking, combustion, alkenes, alkanes and alcohols) complete with answers
- Recap on homologous series
- Slides describing the structure and reactions of carboxylic acids with a printable table for students to complete together with review questions
- Slides describing the formation of a polymer with an activity requiring students to draw the repeating unit from polymer chains and monomers
- A host of short review questions on polymerisation with animated answers on the powerpoint
- A paired teaching activity on thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers for students to complete. This is then followed by a independent learning task on the two types of polymer with success criteria provided
- A worksheet containing past paper questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A double lesson/ series of lessons explaining how a cell works, considering the variables that affect the potential difference produced by a cell, the difference between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, how hydrogen fuel cells work and the advantages/ disadvantages of using a fuel cell compared to batteries.
The lesson features:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (graphene, reactions of acids and metal carbonates, groups on the periodic table, diamond, covalent bonding diagrams, properties of small covalent molecules and energy transfer required practical)
A slide introducing the idea of a cell in an engaging context by asking students to think about how they would make an LED light up using a lemon, coin and piece of copper.
A series of slides explaining how chemical cells work and what a battery consists of
A suggested practical with instructions, results table and conclusion questions investigating how the reactivity difference between metal electrodes affects the voltage made in a cell
A host of short review questions with animated answers on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A link to an engaging video looking at hydrogen powered cars and questions for pupils to subsequently answer from the video
An animated diagram explaining how a hydrogen fuel cell works, table detailing advantages/ disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells and an evaluation question comparing rechargeable batteries to hydrogen fuel cells using a table of statements
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
An A3 review sheet for the entire energy changes topic with questions/ diagrams for pupils to complete
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at drawing the structure of alkenes and alcohols, describing reactions of alkenes and the process of fermentation to produce ethanol. The lesson includes:
- A 'find someone who' starter grid looking at previous learning (fractional distillation, combustion and cracking)
- Information slides with prompt questions to facilitate students linking the lesson content to prior knowledge/ understanding
- A task to compare the structure of alkanes and alkenes with prompt questions
- Two demonstrations/ practicals with animated questions and answers on the powerpoint
- A true/ false question grid to assess understanding of lesson content
- Review questions to assess achievement of each learning objective
- A past paper questions worksheet with animated answers on the powerpoint
A KS3 lesson explaining the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA. The lesson features:
- A starter task recapping previous learning on cells and sexual reproduction
-A differentiated task describing the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA (features a labelling sheet and powerpoint slides that could be printed out to form information stations)
- A 'what am I' task to assess student understanding of the link between 'genes, chromosomes and DNA'
- A task using sweets to model the 3D structure of DNA and statements that prompt students to explain what the parts of their model represent
- A video looking at the discovery of DNA with corresponding questions
- An evaluation task looking at the contributions of different scientists to the discovery of DNA (fully resourced with cards to be handed out to students in groups)
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the energy transfer in neutralisation required practical. The lesson looks at the method involved in the required practical and how this might be adapted for a range of different chemical reactions, along with how to estimate the point of neutralisation from a graph of results
Lesson features include:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (properties of ionic compounds, isotopes, exothermic reactions, energy reaction profiles, history of the atom, ionic formula and conservation of mass )
A slide recapping the idea of exothermic reactions and energy reaction profile in an engaging context using a ‘sherbet lemon’ model
A series of slides prompting students to think about how to measure the energy transferred in a chemical reaction and the apparatus/ method used.
Slides guiding students through the required practical method, variables for the experiment, a ready-made results table to populate and instructions on how to plot and extrapolate data from the graph to calculate the exact point of neutralisation
A table with animated answers helping pupils to understand the range of chemical reactions the method could be used with and the variables that could be investigated for each
A host of short review questions looking at applying the required practical method to a different chemical reaction, analysing data and suggesting improvements to the apparatus used in the required practical
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A review sheet with prompt images that could be used as a short recap of the method used in the required practical in subsequent lessons
A series of lessons looking at the formation of ions, describing how ionic bonds are formed alongside drawing dot and cross diagrams, working out the formula of an ionic compound from a lattice diagram and the charges on the ions and properties of ionic compounds. The powerpoint features a lot of worked examples and plenty of opportunity for student practice with questions that progress from simple to more complex examples. Lesson features include:
A 10 question starter quiz based on previous learning with animated answers (questions based on Topic 1 - atomic structure)
Slides recapping prior learning on electron configurations leading to how metal and non-metal ions are formed with step-by-step scaffolding provided. Students complete questions based around drawing ions and describing how ions have formed based on the charge
Slides introducing how ionic compounds are formed with a discussion question of a dot and cross diagram. This has been animated to allow the teacher to talk through step-by-step what is taking place. There are more worked examples and numerous questions on drawing dot and cross diagrams are incorporated into the presentation
Slides guiding pupils on how to work out the ionic formula, looking at non-metal ions consisting of 1 element initially before progressing to non-metal ions involving two elements where brackets are used
A modelling task to build a 3D giant ionic lattice and opportunity to describe the structure with structured sentence starters provided
A link to an engaging video looking at melting salt to introduce properties of ionic compounds
A review task with success criteria summarising ions, ionic bonding diagrams and structure and properties of ionic compounds
Numerous review question slides with animated answers
A complete lesson to compare the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration. The lesson features engaging video clips looking at the effects of aerobic and anaerobic respiration on the body, a foldable resource with instructions to compare the processes, review questions with answers for assessment and an application of knowledge task to explain the lactic acid concentration in the blood of a runner. A 6 mark question is also included to explain changes in the body during exercise
A series of lessons looking at the structure and properties of covalent structures. The lesson includes a step-by-step method for how to draw covalent bonding diagrams, the properties of simple covalent substances and the structure and properties of allotropes of carbon - diamond, graphite, graphene, nanotubes and fullerenes.
The lesson features:
A 10 question starter quiz with animated answers on previous learning (ions, ionic bonding, ionic formula, ionic properties, separating methods, group 1 reactions with water)
Slides introducing how to draw dot and cross diagrams with animated step-by-step examples and practice diagrams for students to complete
Slides explaining the structure of allotropes of carbon, with comparison slides asking students to think about the properties of diamond versus graphite (when shown their uses) and graphite versus graphene)
A slide asking pupils to ‘link the pictures’ together to explain the discovery and potential uses of graphene
A link to a video looking at the uses of graphene
Review question slides containing exam-style questions with animated answers throughout the powerpoint
A series of 5 simplistic revision mats designed for the Foundation Triple Chemistry specification.
The revision mats contain:
Key definitions with space for students to write in the matching terms
Basic recall questions/ comprehension tasks followed by short answer questions to test understanding
Summaries of the required practical activities and sample questions based on these RPA’s
There is a revision mat for each topic (Topic 6 - rates of reaction, Topic 7 - organic chemistry, Topic 8 - chemical analysis, Topic 9 - chemistry of the atmosphere and Topic 10 - using resources)
A lesson/ series of lessons looking at atoms, elements,compounds, mixtures, the structure of the atom and the history of the atomic model.
Lots of content that could easily cover 3 lessons. A variety of interactive tasks, included,such as:
-Using sweets to model atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures
-A link to a clip from an american sitcom providing a simple, student-friendly analogy for the structure of the atom
-Assessment opportunities using whiteboards
-Visualisation opportunities using props to aid the teaching of developments in the atomic model -
props are easily available/ easy to create with instructions on how to relate each prop to the model of the atom it is demonstrating in the notes section of the powerpoint. The use of these props really helped my students to understand the plum pudding model, Dalton's atomic theory and Rutherford's gold foil experiment.
-A past paper question comparing the current nuclear model to the plum pudding model
-A homework sheet/ worksheet with answers animated at the end of the powerpoint
A lesson designed around the AQA GCSE specification looking at how to calculate relative formula mass and how to balance symbol equations. The lesson would also be suitable for an able KS3 class.
The powerpoint features a lot of step-by-step worked examples and plenty of opportunity for student practice with questions that progress from simple to more complex examples alongside animated answers. Lesson features include:
A 10 question starter quiz based on previous AQA GCSE learning with animated answers (questions based on Topic 1 atomic structure content to assist with long term memory retrieval)
Slides explaining to students how to work out the number of different elements and atoms a chemical formula contains, followed by an independent task requiring students put this teaching into practice for a range of different chemical formulae. Answers have been included in the powerpoint to allow for student assessment.
Slides guiding pupils on how to work out the relative formula mass of a substance, incorporating 3 worked examples that contain step-by-step instructions with each stage of the calculation animated via a mouse click.
An independent task requiring students to calculate the relative formula mass for a range of different chemical formulae. Answers have been included in the powerpoint to allow for student assessment.
A slide explaining to students how to deduce an unknown element in a chemical formula when given the relative formula mass, alongside a step-by-step modelled example question and 3 additional practice questions for students to complete
Slides providing a clear method for pupils to follow when balancing symbol equations. To help pupils master the skill of balancing equations the powerpoint contains 5 worked examples progressing in difficulty, with each stage of the calculation process animated via a mouse click.
An independent differentiated task (based on ‘bronze, silver, gold’ medals) incorporating 24 balancing equations questions. Pupils can select which level of the task to work at dependent on their confidence with balancing equations
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at neutralisation reactions, writing ionic formulae and the process of making crystals of a soluble salt (AQA required practical)
Lesson features include:
A starter consisting of basic recall questions from previous learning (extraction of metals, reduction/ oxidation, properties of ionic compounds, covalent bonding diagrams, relative formula mass and moles)
Slides introducing the pH scale, weak/ strong acids and alkalis and the difference between an alkali and a base with AfL question (alongside an animated answer)
Slides with guided practice on how to name salts and writing ionic formulae for salts.
Slides and an acompanying worksheet providing plenty of practice on writing equations for metal and acid, acid and alkali and acid and metal carbonate reactions
A step by step explanation of the stages involved in making crystals of a soluble salt, including a table for pupils to fill in explaining the reason for each stage in the practical
Practice exam-style questions with scaffolded support. The questions focus on describing the method used to make a soluble salt and explaining errors in methods.
Simple, easy to follow instructions for carrying out the soluble salt practical
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are included with the sheet to enable assessment of pupil progress
Review questions with animated answers
A lesson/ series of lessons looking at what is meant by the term ‘mole’, how to calculate the number of moles of a substance, how to rearrange the moles equation to calculate mass or Mr and how to find missing masses from balanced symbol equations using molar ratios. The powerpoint features a lot of step-by-step worked examples and plenty of opportunity for student practice with questions that progress from simple to more complex examples alongside animated answers. Lesson features include:
A 10 question starter quiz based on previous learning with animated answers (questions based on Topic 1, 2 and 3 to assist with long term memory retrieval)
Slides discussing the difference between mass and moles together with an analogy of comparing the term moles to other words used to represent amounts in society - what is meant by a dozen, a century etc.
A link to an engaging video comparing the number of atom to objects in our universe.
Slides discussing the link between moles, mass and Mr alongside questions involving calculating the moles, mass and Mr of a substance. Students are shown how to rearrange the moles equation. Following this worked examples for calculating moles, mass and Mr are then shared on a split board with practice questions next to the worked examples for students to complete. Answers for these questions are animated to allow for student self-assessment.
Slides guiding pupils on how to work out the missing mass of a substance using a balanced symbol equation. A method is shared with pupils to tackle these complex questions with 2 animated examples illustrating step-by-step how to follow the method. Numerous examples are then given for pupils to complete, initially using 1:1 ratios before looking at more complex ratios. All practice questions have full animated answers for student self-assessment
A review task containing 6 questions on calculating missing masses in chemical reactions with animated answers
A potential homework sheet with questions on calculating moles and rearranging the moles equation to calculate mass.
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the extraction, processing, use and disposal of Earth’s resources. The lesson contains three main objectives:
A recap of the difference between renewable and finite resources
Explaining why reducing the use of Earth’s resources is important
Describe the components of a life cycle assessment and compare the suitability of materials for products using life cycle assessments.
Lesson features include:
A series of basic recall questions from previous learning (water treatment, the purification of water required practical, rusting, methods to prevent corrosion, alloys, alternative methods of copper extraction, thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers)
A cartoon image to introduce current issues with the rate at which earth’s resources are being plundered
Slides introducing the difference between renewable and finite resources with a sorting task for pupils to complete (animated answers on the slide to review progress)
Discussion questions around the impact of extracting resources using quarrying/ mining with a review summary
An envoy/ circus task recapping the extraction and processing of different materials and their disadvantages that has been covered in previous topics - plastics (topic 7), petrol (topic 7), iron (topic 4/10), aluminium (topic 4) and copper (phytomining and bioleaching covered in topic 10)
Review questions on the first learning objective
Two video clips, slide containing relevant news headlines and discussion questions around the importance of ‘reducing, reusing, recycling’ materials (video clips from a recent documentary on landfill looking at the dangers of landfill and alternatives to plastic bags - the latter clip I have produced a slide of questions to go with it)
Slides summarising the importance of recycling metals and plastics, linking metal recycling to the importance of gold for smartphones
Several slides of exam-style review questions for the second objective with animated answers for easy assessment
An introduction to what a life cycle assessment is using the life cycle of a human. A table explaining considerations for each of the stages of a life cycle assessment is included (could be printed off for students to use)
A group/ individual task considering the LCA’s for paper and plastic straws to determine what sort of straws McDonald’s should use (relevant to current news)
Review questions comparing life cycle assessments for materials with animated answers
A series of exam-style questions on a Word document with animated answers on the powerpoint
Lots to choose from here!
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the Haber process and production of NPK fertilisers
Lesson features include:
A series of basic recall questions from previous learning (water treatment, the purification of water required practical, rusting, methods to prevent corrosion, alloys, alternative methods of copper extraction, recycling and sustainability)
A fun introduction to the background of the Haber process with a slide on important developments of the 20th Century and the life of Fritz Haber (containing a ‘spot the false statement’ activity about his life)
An information card and cloze activity to help students recall conditions for the Haber process and slide containing a description of the Haber process step-by-step
Exam-style questions on conditions and reactants needed in the Haber process with animated answers on the powerpoint
Recap slide on the concept of equilibrium and instructions for an active modelling task to perform in the classroom with pupils (instructions for the task are found on the ‘notes’ section on slide 21)
Recap slides on Le Chatelier’s principle that provide information and questions for students to apply the principles to the Haber process reaction
Opportunity for pupils to apply the active modelling task in the classroom to show the effect of changing temperature and pressure on the Haber process (instructions for this are found in the ‘notes’ section of the slides)
A multitude of review questions of varying demand to assess pupils’ understanding of the equilibrium trade-off in the Haber process (the answers to the questions are animated on the powerpoint)
Slides introducing what NPK fertilisers are and their importance with prompt questions and answers
Slides containing a variety of exam-style questions on the manufacturing of NPK fertilisers
A series of exam-style questions on a Word document with animated answers on the powerpoint
Lots to choose from here!
A double lesson/ series of lessons suitable for trilogy/ triple physics describing the structure of the atom, the role of scientists in the development of the atomic model and explaining what an isotope is. The lesson features:
A short recap quiz numbered 1-10 on naming parts of the atom, describing the charge/ mass of sub-atomic particles and their position in the atom (linking to Topic 1 - atomic structure in the Chemistry trilogy syllabus
An explanation for the definitions of mass and atomic number linking to students’ understanding of the relative masses of protons, neutrons and electrons
Practice questions on calculating P, N, E, describing the structure of atoms of particular elements from both images and chemical symbols and interpreting the mass/ atomic number for an atom from an image
An explanation for the meaning of the term ‘isotope’ linking to easter eggs and a scaffolded example of what an isotope is comparing element symbols for chlorine
Practice questions on describing the difference between isotopes from bot the chemical symbol and atomic structure diagrams
A description of the contributions/ experimental work from scientists in the development of the atomic model, paying particular focus to the plum pudding model and alpha particle scattering experiment
Discussion questions to help pupils visualise the abstract concept of the plum pudding model by comparing the plum pudding model to a bouncy ball
A suggested modelling activity (detailed in the slide notes) involving students acting out the alpha scattering experiment and suggestions for how to evaluate this with pupils
A worksheet containing a gap fill task and practice questions comparing the plum pudding model to the current nuclear model of the atom and explaining the findings of the alpha scattering experiment.
A timeline task for students to complete to show the role of scientists in the development of the model of the atom. The activity also has differentiated resources in the form of a cut and stick with model images and descriptions of scientists roles.