This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with a Gnomeo and Juliet theme. Pupils start by doing a downword to refresh keywords from the topic. The teacher will then demonstrate the test for hydrogen, explaining that hydrogen is made instead of water during this reaction. Pupils do an experiment to see which metal produces the most hydrogen in 20 seconds. There is then an AfL task to see if pupils can remember how to name salts, using mini white boards. Pupils then do some word equations. The exit ticket involves pupils self assessing their word equations and attempting symbol equations.

This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with a theme of Gnomeo and Juliet. Pupils begin by reading a textbook spread and completing a mind map. Pupils then watch a video and add more to their mind map. During their mind map they should have come up with wasp and bee stings. Pupils plan and undertake an investigation on what substances can neutralise these stings. Pupils then complete an exit ticket on examples of neutralisation.

This is a lesson for a low ability KS3 class. The lesson is themed Gnomeo and Juliet. Pupils begin by trying to make words from the letters of NEUTRALISATION. They then predict what will happen if they add an acid and alkali together, followed by doing a small experiment to determine if their prediction was correct. Pupils then complete word equations (the bookmark is to help them name salts) Finally they complete an exit ticket to predict what substances will neutralise each other out.

This is a lesson on the pH Scale with a theme on Gnomeo and Juliet for a low ability class. Pupils begin with doing a Sudoku task as they enter the room. They then watch a short video on the pH scale and complete the worksheet, followed by colouring their own pH scale. There is then a small experiment where pupils determine the pH of different substances. I have left the sheet blank so you can decide on your own substances. I would put the substances in test tubes and let them go around the room and put a drop of Universal Indicator in, or dip Universal Indicator paper in (this way you use less equipment). They can also use Litmus paper and then write a conclusion on the two types of litmus paper. There is then a short AfL quiz where pupils decide if what is shown is acid or alkali. Pupils then do a small experiment on how the strength of acid affects limestone, with the pretense of Juliet's tower being made out of limestone and the worry of it dissolving. The exit ticket involves pupils going around the room and finding examples of different pH's. There are 2 homeworks available. Both are online experiment. The lower ability homework is changing the pH of soil to change the colour of flowers for Juliet. The second is exploring the amount of hydrogen and how it affects pH.

This lesson has a theme of Gnomeo and Juliet and is or a low ability KS3 class. It begins with pupils refreshing their knowledge on hazard symbols. Pupils then can discuss as to why gnomes may be afraid of acids - focus on safety here. Pupils then find hidden words and pictures around the room, which give them information about what acids can be used in. Pupils then are split into two groups and make two different indicators (beetroot and cabbage), they then test these on a lemon and soap solutions. There is a table that results can be collected as a class. Finally pupils decide whether the statements shows that acids are harmful or useful.

This is a Frozen themed lesson. It is for a low ability KS3 class. Pupils listen to Olaf's song from the film and you start a discussion on what Cristoff meant at the end of the song. As the song is on pupils can complete a match exercise. You then discuss the heating up on matter and what happens to Olaf. They can then complete the diagram. Pupils then watch the video and pupils complete the cooling down part of the diagram. There is a demo using a cloth and Malteasers to show how changes in energy changes they way the particles move. Pupils then complete a Olaf poster explaining what they have learned with diagrams. The exit ticket is then examples of each phase change.

This is a lesson with a Disney Frozen theme. The lesson is an introduction to the three states of matter. The lesson begins with pupils labeling what they think are solids, liquids and gases on a Frozen scene. They then listen to a song and are asked some questions based on it (the hyperlink for the song is in Elsa's speech bubble). Pupils then use a table to sort some objects, statements and diagrams into solids, liquids and gases. Pupils then do a series of experiments on custard (you want to make this with the consistency to be a non-Newtonian fluid). Finally, pupils write a conclusion about whether custard is a solid, liquid or gas based on their observations and what they have learned.

This is a Pokemon themed resource about classifying plants. Pupils enter and are asked to complete a classification task of animals as a refresher from the previous lesson. Pupils then collect information about the different plant groups, a science dictionary will be needed at one of the stations for one of the tasks on the filler sheet. There is then a quiz to see if pupils can identify plants from images Pupils then are given a Pokemon and its leaf (notes on which Pokemon goes with what kind of leaf you need to provided is on the notes section of the relevant slide) and they complete the poster template. Pupils then play a quick game of taboo using the taboo cards. Finally pupils classify some plant images as an exit card.

This is a Pokemon themed lesson for a low ability class. The lesson begins with a colouring exercise, where pupils put animals into groups, they should know this from primary. Pupils then watch a video in vertebrates and complete a worksheet as they watch the video. This is followed by an online quiz and then a quick quiz. Pupils then use information around the room to learn about invertebrate groups. Pupils finally play "Slap the Pokeball" or slap the board. Here the teacher can call out examples or features and two pupils at the front race to slap the correct Pokeball. The exit ticket involves pupils classifying Pokemon and explaining their decision.

This is a Pokemon themed lesson for a low ability groups. It begins with pupils grouping Pokemon and explaining their groups to the class. Pupils then look at variation within species and between different species of Pokemon. The exit ticket is comparing environmental and inherited features. The lesson isn't very detailed as it is for low ability and is meant as an introduction to classification.

This is part of a Pokemon Cells unit for KS3. The pretense is that Team Rocket are trying to find out about the hierarchy of organisation in Pokemon. It starts with pupils matching words to definitions. Pupils then watch a video (which is hyperlinked to Jessie's speech bubble) about cells, tissues and organs. Pupils then complete a pyramid of hierarchy using the keywords (Team Rocket's Pokemon, Meowth, is Egyptian so the kids may enjoy this). Pupils then use some questions to write a letter to Team Rocket's boss and then peer assess. There is then a short quiz, followed by an exit ticket that requires pupils to extract information from text and complete a flowchart.

This is a Pokemon themed lesson for a low ability class. Pupils start with refreshing the knowledge of plant and animal cells. This is followed by a video, which pupils then do a task on. Pupils then collect information about 4 different unicellular organisms, from posters and QR codes on PokemonGo backgrounds (links are included if your school doesn't allow portable devices), and create Pokemon cards for each one. The comprehension booklet can then be used as a plenary, exit ticket or homework.

The lesson is for a low ability class with a Pokemon theme throughout. The starter involves designing a cell with a function. The pupils can be as imaginative as they like. You can get them to judge each other's cells. Pupils then get given a poster (to be printed in A3) to complete by circulating the room and collecting information. There is a lower ability poster which tells them where to write all the information and links it to animal and plant Pokemon. There is also a higher ability poster which they decide which Pokemon would have those cells, there is a male and female version of the same Pokemon (this may need explaining if your pupils aren't familiar with Pokemon - the top right is female and the one directly below is male - they look slightly different). Then show pictures of different cells and pupils can use mini white boards to name them - I use this as an opportunity to get verbal confirmation that pupils can give a structure and function of each. Finally there is a choice of two exit tickets, a true and false or a match exercise.

This lesson is done with a Pokemon theme to gets pupils interested. The first slide is to draw them in, the "Bellsprout" slide is just a leaf cell, and the "Rhyhorn" slide is a rhino's horn under the microscope. Pupils start with labeling a microscope, it is assumed they have don this before and are revisiting. The same with the table in which they put into order how to use the microscope. Pupils then do a card sort on how to prepare an onion skin slide. They then prepare the slide and draw the cells using the checklist as a success criteria. Higher pupils can then calculate magnification. As a plenary this can be peer assessed.

This lesson is based around Pokemon. Using Pokemon such as Bulbsaur and Oddish as these would have both animal and plant cells. Pupils first are given a number of Pokemon and decide which doesn't belong. They then do a literal word search for the names of the organelles in cells. Back-to-back: pupils then play back-to-back. This involves one pupils facing the board, while the other faces the other way with a mini whiteboard. The pupil facing the board describes the image that they see and the one not facing the board draws it. Give a time limit for each. Pupils then do a simple table exercise based on what they've learned from drawing the cells. Pupils then read through a song, or sing it to the Pokemon theme tune, and do the instructions on the sheet. They also label images of cells. Pupils then read through statements to decide if Euglena is an animal or plant cell. Finally, pupils complete a poster task comparing both types of cells (this can be done as a homework)

This lesson is about the 7 life processes for a low ability class. It is based around the theme of Pokemon. It begins with a simple "Is it Alive?" quiz, using Pokemon characters and accessories. It then goes onto a think pair share and then a word-search with a bookmark they can make. There is then a match exercise and the lesson ends with a quiz. There is also an exit ticket for pupils to complete before they leave the room.

I have previously put up a scheme of learning for Science Clubs with themes, for the academic year of 2015-2016, https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ks3-science-stem-club-11208097 As our Science Club runs over Year 7 and Year 8 a second scheme has now been written, so it can work on a two year rotation basis. The layout is slightly different, but has the same essential parts, with activities grouped into themes, which include: Dr Seuss and Oceanography

Have you got low ability pupils that you don't think will be able to cope with the intensity of next year of the AQA Combined Trilogy? Have you considered double entry? These planning resources show how you could teach the ELC content as well as meet the requirements for the Combined Trilogy so you can double enter your lower ability pupils. This way if they do not achieve in the Trilogy they can at least have an entry level certificate. These planning resources show how you would teach the Year 10 (Year 11 to follow) and how the TDAs of the ELC map with the Required Practicals of the Combined Trilogy. Hope this helps anyone who is concerned with their lower ability pupils next year.