Year 7 Science lesson - theme of exploration. As they enter the classroom there are an array of items spread out on their desks. I used opera glasses, a fossil collection, a meat thermometer, heart rate monitor, etc. The aim is to get them to brainstorm their thoughts, which focus on what we already know, rather than asking questions and concentrating on the unknown. Prompt them to consider this and develop their questioning! In groups they take a research topic where much doubt remains. They look at what people used to think, what scientists now believe and what we may find out in the future. Then present their findings to other groups, I used a carousel activity. Amazing results - one group looked at subatomic particles down to quarks! Could be spread over more than one lesson. Worked really successfully with my group, as children realised that science is evolving and many questions must be asked if we are to enhance human understanding.

Used with high ability year 9 GCSE Biology class.

Used with my high ability year 7 class. Glued the passport into the front of their books, and added their 'passport photo' in which they drew themselves as scientists. Investigation skills linked heavily to the KS3 National Curriculum. Following a practical students write the data in the table heading, and tick off the skills they have developed/demonstrated. Could enhance this with a red amber green system to show the progress they are making towards a skill. When writing up a practical I encourage them to finish with a reflection in which they link back to these skills. I found previously they struggled to describe skills so this gives them a prompt. Aim to demonstrate each skill through a range of different practicals across the year, such that by then end they may hope to achieve 'expert' status. I produced this to link to the idea of the new A-level CPAC criteria and the idea of demonstrating mastery of practical techniques. With each new book they may receive a new passport.

Used with year 12 class to introduce ATP. Alongside questions from AQA online resource Kerboodle.

100 minute session designed for KS3 - could be expanded or reduced. Students understand the role of the respiratory system through: - true or false activity with key stats - demo of lambs lungs with bellow - ordering the sentences for inhalation and exhalation - team challenge to make a model of the system using limited resources - introduce gas exchange

Lesson used for a formal observation, which received a Grade 1. At a school where they have 100 minute lessons, therefore this could be adapted and spread over two lessons. Mixed ability class. Learners really enjoyed the interactive nature of the lesson, and I was successful in showing progress at regular intervals. Differentiated through range of support offered in booklets. I made dice for this lesson using excellent templates I had found on TES. One dice had pictures of specialised cells on each face, whilst the other had questions on each face. Students LOVED this, but I did make these myself to avoid wasted time in the lesson.

Lesson to a mixed ability year 7 group, 100 minute session but could be adjusted. Market place activity, using differentiated booklets. AfL Dice game. Followed by more ethics based activities, looking at how doctors can make the decision of who receives a donor organ. Developing higher order thinking skills (Bloom's) by ranking and justifying ideas. Donor cards to be printed, and used as exit pass for 3-2-1 plenary.

Lesson designed for high ability class - but could be adapted to suit any needs. - Began lesson with recap to previous learning relating to the nervous system. - Assess prior knowledge using laminated structure labels and A3 eye diagram. - Students move around the room using the table, and assorted sheets to collect information. - Use this information to reorder their labelled diagram, now they have a enhanced understanding. - Discussion regarding perception of colour - Plenary ('To the left'): books closed, each group gets a new diagram. In silence, one person in the group labels a structure, and passes it to the left, and so on. pupils may amend each others' answers, but this is a silent activity to check understanding.

Used with high ability year 12 class to go through the impacts of farming on diversity within an ecosystem - in conjunction with the Oxford A level Biology textbook.

Used with my year 11 classes to develop comprehension skills in the new health and disease unit within the GCSE syllabus. Discusses new treatments away from antibiotics, as well as the antibiotic resistance crisis.

Fun 100 minute session on the heart and blood vessels - could be expanded or reduced. Students to learn about the structure of the heart through a memory recall drawing challenge and a dissection. Video links to support learning. Cryptogram challenge for students to learn about the blood vessels.

Taught to a higher ability year 10 class over several lessons. Lesson 1 - The structure of the Heart Lesson 2 - Blood vessels Lesson 3 - Components of the blood (station activity, students collect info from around the room on the 4 components, and then apply their knowledge to answer exam-style questions).

Used with my Year 12 class to introduce DNA and RNA, and to cover DNA replication.

Lesson designed for KS3 to creatively approach the topic of the tilt of Earth's axis and the seasons. Using hibernation and migration to explore these concepts. Students start by watching short clip (John Lewis Bear and the Hare) Research activity on the seasons and hibernation Choice of task: produce a documentary on the tilt of the axis OR to imagine a world without seasons (choose how to present this). Lower ability could make a model to demonstrate how the tilt affects the seasons. Taboo plenary For use over several lessons to enable students to explore this area fully. Fun and interactive!!! (and highlighting the hedgehog which is in huge decline in this country)

Used with a year 12 class over a series of lessons.

Used with high ability year 10 class to discuss bio-indicators, including Lichen and invertebrate species.

- high ability year 10 class. - began with Chinese whispers to mimic the Nervous System (seventy seven benevolent elephants). Class were then able to guess the topic we were learning about, through the game. - discussed 'brainbow' (google this, mapping of neural pathways) - labelled diagrams of neurones and discussed their structure.

Year 12 lesson.

A mock paper which I have put together for our year 13 students - taking questions from a variety of years and syllabuses to avoid the usual learning of mark schemes which I tend to encounter!!

A lesson used with a high ability year 10 class. Excellent worksheet on labelling a reflex arc also used (sourced on TES).