A Checklist for A Level success, most relevant to those studying OCR A Biology, Chemistry or Physics. (The links are to OCR resources and answers) I have 9 years experience teaching the A Level and my colleague has over 30 - together we have noticed and written down the most effective ways for science students to revise and see the fastest and biggest improvement in their grades. This information is provided in a student-friendly checklist format :)

A Checklist for A Level success, most relevant to those studying AQA Biology, Chemistry or Physics. (The links are to AQA resources and answers) I have 9 years experience teaching the A Level and my colleague has over 30 - together we have noticed and written down the most effective ways for science students to revise and see the fastest and biggest improvement in their grades. This information is provided in a student-friendly checklist format :)

A document showing trends in topics covered on every unit 3 exam and some predictions for what may come up this year. #unit 3 applied science exam #unit 3 2023

Method, with link to useful YouTube video demonstrating the practical. Practical-based Qs testing students understanding of the steps in the method, answers at bottom. Slightly different method for stretch and challenge - can run more than 1 chromatogram simultaneously and some extra Qs at the bottom relating structure to Rf value. #plantchromatography

A lab book created for Applied Science students studying Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques. This can be used as an electronic lab book to store results and calculations or can be printed and issued to students at the start of the unit.

Starter worksheet (cloze passage) created for the new L3 Applied Science (from 2016) Unit 3 (I used this for an observation). To recall previous knowledge on fuels. Includes stretch and challenge/early finishers task at the bottom and task objective at the top. Main lesson task also included which guides students through how to structure and what to write and include for a lab report.

A student-friendly checklist that is not overwhelming. This was created for Unit 6 Investigative Project Assignments A, B and C/D. These are preliminary checklists to get students started and on the right track. Checklist for P, M and D criteria for assignment A and just P criteria for assignments B and C/D. I have also made 2 short summary videos which may be helpful for students or new teachers; one is an intro to what Unit 6 is about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gVKhB_3jiM and the other is aimed at students and explains how to get started with the literature review in assignment A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r-dWTxqI9M Audit and action plan template also included, along with a suggested structure for the project proposal.

A test on chemical formulae that can be given to AS Chemistry students or students studying a level 3 science course that involves chemistry, e.g. will be useful for the new BTEC Applied Science Unit 1. PowerPoint includes full list of ions that need to be learned in year 1 and also includes Roman numerals 1-10 which are often used in transition metal ions to indicate the positive charge on the ion formed. Activities in formulae lessons (not included) include ionikits and ionikit worksheets (I think these worksheets are copyrighted and I’m not sure where they came from as they are quite old now). A video I created to help students understand and learn formulae of ions. Explains from beginning what ions are, the general rules/trends and uses cards similar to the old ‘ionikits’ to illustrate the balancing of the charges. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOsMci_o2dU

Sample results for practical-based assignments A, B and C for Unit 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques. Includes results for calibration of 3 pieces of equipment, 2x titrations (one using indicator, one using a pH probe) and colorimetry for assignment A. For assignment B includes results for calibration of a glass and digital thermometer in hot and cold water and cooling of both stearic acid and paraffin wax. supporting videos for assignments: A plotting and annotating pH curve: https://youtu.be/mgNhkUipZw0 Plotting and annotating colorimetry curve: https://youtu.be/IXXOmPygKXY Writing chemical foon a computer: B plotting cooling curves: https://youtu.be/92zysOBqKP8 Finding and referencing a literature value: https://youtu.be/b4jkipDtO9k Drawing a tangent to a curve: https://youtu.be/Ne-cxsjHPIM Includes amino acid and plant chromatography for assignment C. Note amino acid was paper chromatography and basil was used for the plant chromatography, which was thin layer chromatography. Solvents used for chromatography were as follows: For the amino acid chromatography we used a mixture of solvents in the following ratio: butanol, water and ethanoic acid in 4:2:1, respectively. For the plant chromatography we used a mixture of solvents again, in the following ratio: cyclohexane, acetone and petroleum ether in 5:3:2.

A booklet covering an intro to buffers, all the equations you need to learn and the main types of buffer calculations with stepwise methods and an answer booklet with all working.

This PowerPoint is most useful for new teachers, teachers who have not taught VSEPR before (ideas for how to structure your lesson) or teachers who want ideas on how to make this topic more interactive and include ideas for kinaesthetic activities. This PowerPoint includes VSEPR yoga, VSEPR triominoes (I have not included the resource as it is a pack of cards, however I have included instructions and an image example so you can make your own) and VSEPR cut and sticks can also be made to keep your students engaged. Other interactive ideas could include online quizzes such as Kahoot, Bingo etc.

A ‘fun’ resource to check your student’s learning on redox and oxidation numbers. These domino cards can be printed on card/paper and then laminated (especially if printed on paper). Available in blue and creamy yellow for students with dyslexia.

This is a lab book for unit 2 that will help students greatly once assignments are issued. Students can record their results in here during/after the practicals, either handwritten on a printed version or typed on an online copy. This saves loads of time with planning lessons :-) I hope that you find it helpful.

A booklet that can be done for homework or in class to help consolidate the theory from learning aim G. Includes possible exam questions that may come up in the Part B written paper.

Questions and answers Designed for AQA A Level Chemistry but can be used for any other course on which students need to understand stereospecificity in enzymes

Attached is 2 double lessons (4 hours) worth of activities, lesson is interactive, student-led, exam-focused. Prior to this, students should choose a contemporary scientific issue of their choice - this can be from a magazine eg New Scientist or Chemistry Review etc. or from online. They can produce a little written piece introducing this if you wish them to. The teacher can then go through the PowerPoint regarding part B of the exam -this PowerPoint explains the structure of part B of the exam and describes what to include and how to structure your answers in order to achieve high marks. In some cases, ideas of how to start answers are given. Students should answer each of the questions (except the last one) for THEIR chosen contemporary issue (see peer assessment form for how to do this in presentation style. This can be done in a presentation format and communicated to the class, during the presentation, the presenter will be assessed by their classmates using the peer-assessment form attached. Many skills are addressed in this lesson(s), such as communication, critical thinking, analysis, detecting bias, independent research, ability to give and receive constructive criticism, drawing valid conclusions, making sensible judgements, simplifying complex issues and interpreting graphical and statistical data etc. Link to video introducing Unit 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMFkvxYIVfU

Attached is a full lesson 5 page worksheet containing a detailed step-by-step method (including how to use the UV-vis), introduction including theory on Beer’s Law, space for students to tabulate and record their results, questions around the topic, answers and sample results. There are a couple of photographs (taken by me when I was trialling this) to help students visualise how things should look when they are carrying out the method. This can take around 1 hour - 2.5 hour lesson depending on equipment availability and how you wish to deliver it. :-) Please leave a review!

Student worksheet including introduction, method, space for them to record results, structured calculations and error analysis. Created for the new BTEC L3 spec, unit 19 Practical Chemical Analysis. Can also be used for A Level Chemistry, HNC or other analytical science courses.