I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
2 lessons focusing on the process of fertilisation in mammals including the acrosome and cortical reaction. In plants, formation of the pollen tube and then double fertilisation.
Activities include video, diagrams and exam style questions.
A 14 Page booklet including potential questions and answers for the Scientific Article for question 8 for Biology International Advanced Level WBI15/01 ,June 7th 2024.
I have also included retrieval practice activities to help students prepare their revision of topics. Activities include keywords, cloze activities and a list of topics students should know in depth.
Exam questions have a markscheme that can be shared with students.
This document makes an excellent revision tool for students.
A pdf file focusing on skeletal muscles. Students label the parts of the sarcomere. There is a basic diagram of the sliding filament theory that will help students describe the process of muscle contraction.
Answer sheet included.
6 exam questions which focuses on the CORMS mark scheme. I have included a scaffold for students to refer to as they answer the question so they become familiar with each of the points in CORMS.
Mark scheme included
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A PDF worksheet focusing on the DNA replication experiment devised by Meselson and Stahl. Students answer exam-style questions.
Use activity for retrieval practice, revision or to check understanding.
Can be used in class or as a homework activity.
Answer sheet included.
A PPT with information regarding the 2 types of fibres. Students collect information about the fibres from around the room (included in PPT) and complete a table stating the differences. They can then use their knowledge to predict the types of fibres found in different animal muscles. There is an exam question and mark scheme to determine understanding of subject material.
I have included the lesson plan I provided when I was observed so feel free to tweak it to suit your group.
Edexcel Spec Link - 6.16 and 6.20
Three lessons which focus on the forensic science element of the topic.
The first lesson looks at the role of microorganisms in decomposition. This is a recap session, looking at the carbon cycle.
Lesson 2 introduces the idea of using body temperature and rigor mortis to determine time of death.
lesson 3 finishes the topic looking at the role of bacteria and insects in decomposition. This links to succession which had been studied previously.
There are many different student activities including questions and answers on the topic.
A series of complete lessons covering the syllabus content for the IAL Biology topic 8B.
This includes the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system.
The structure of the spinal cord and brain.
The peripheral nervous system
How we investigate the structure and functions of the brain
The effect of drugs on synapses
Chemical control in plants
Phytochrome and seed germination/flowering
I have tried to include various methods for both independent and group learning. There are also short assessment questions to check understanding.
A PDF worksheet designed to summarise the process of protein synthesis to IGCSE students. The task is a word fill exercise but my students added comments to the diagrams to consolidate their understanding.
A series of activities for students to complete in class or at home in preparation for the unit 1 examination. It is most useful to use before they attempt exam past papers.
Resources include:
A learning grid with focused questions to ensure students cover main topics in unit 1 (18 pages).
This includes biological molecules; Heart and cardiac cycle; Blood transport system; CVD; Cell membranes; Movement across membranes; Gas exchange; Inheritance; DNA replication; Protein synthesis; Mutations
Also with questions focused towards core practicals.
Exam command words reminder
This PPT links to the Edexcel A2 course - describe how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms.
It also links to risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified organisms.
The PPT is a complete lesson with short tasks which generate discussions regarding this ethical issue.
I have included the uses of the enzymes they need to know.
There are A level past paper questions to test knowledge plus a fun quick quiz at end of PPT.
A level lesson focusing on the following objectives:
Understand that changes in allele frequency come about as a result of mutation and natural selection
Understand how the Hardy-Weinberg equation can be used to see whether a change in allele frequency is occurring in a population over time
I have included many tasks which can be performed individually or in pairs.
Students have 2 exam style questions to attempt using the Hardy Weinberg equation
A series of revision mats to compliment the IGCSE edexcel syllabus. Each revision mat consists of examination style questions to challenge knowledge and understanding.
For best results, I photocopy onto A3 paper.
Can be used to complete a topic or revision for test/exams.
A series of activities for students to complete in class or at home in preparation for the unit 4 examination. It is most useful to use before they attempt exam past papers
Resources include:
A tick sheet for revision
A learning grid with focused questions to ensure students cover main topics in unit 4 (11 pages). This includes photosynthesis; global warming; evolution; GPP and NPP; microorganisms and how they reproduce; the immune response; immunity ; PCR; DNA profiling and forensics.
Vocabulary reinforcer
Exam command words reminder
A PowerPoint which explains the difference between bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal antibiotics. It includes simple activities of students collecting information from cards around the room. There is also an exam question to check knowledge.
Brief video explaining the difference and then students collect information from cards and internet
Students investigate Hooke´s Law with a simple practical. They use text books and their results to form their own conclusion as to what Hooke´s Law is.