NEW (2016) AQA AS-Level Biology – Microscope Measurements

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA AS-level Biology course, particularly the ‘Cells’ module.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA A-level Biology course please visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

A-Level lesson format: I teach in more of a lecture style compared to GCSE. In the majority of my A-level lessons the beginning portion of the lesson is mainly teacher-led, where students are expected to take notes onto a handout/in their books. This is then mixed in with student-led activities, as well as questions and exam prep.

You will find some of my slides have blank spaces for you to add more detail/descriptions/explanations. If you look at the ‘Notes’ section underneath each of these slides, you will find additional content which you can add in as you teach!

This lesson begins with a little challenge for students to calculate the actual size of a specimen and complete three measurement conversions.

The first outcome is for students to begin to understand graticules and their use. The following slides define eyepiece graticules and explain how to calibrate the eyepiece properly. Students will also watch a short video before working though example (b).

Students will then practice calculating magnification to understand the relationship between the eyepiece graticule scale and the stage micrometer scale. To practise their learning students will complete the Calibrating an Eyepiece Graticule worksheet.

The next task is to practise calibrating the eyepiece and measure three onion cells. Students will also be asked to complete a biological drawing of their onion cells, and examples of poor and quality drawings are provided in the slides with more detailed expectations.

Students will then consolidate their learning by completing an exam-style question, answers are provided on the following slide for self-assessment.

The plenary task is a quick exit card, students should write thee things they’ve learnt, five key words, and on question for their peers about this lesson.

All resources are included. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)