The carbon cycle lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.2 Relevant chapter: B17 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology Third edition textbook-Page 280-281 Students are required to know the following; Explain the importance of the carbon and water cycles to living organisms. All materials in the living world are recycled to provide the building blocks for future organisms. The carbon cycle returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis. The water cycle provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated. Students are not expected to study the nitrogen cycle. Students should be able to explain the role of microorganisms in cycling materials through an ecosystem by returning carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and mineral ions to the soil.

Material cycling lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.2 Relevant chapter: B17 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 278-279 Students are required to know the following; Explain the importance of the carbon and water cycles to living organisms. All materials in the living world are recycled to provide the building blocks for future organisms. The carbon cycle returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis. The water cycle provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated. Students are not expected to study the nitrogen cycle. Students should be able to explain the role of microorganisms in cycling materials through an ecosystem by returning carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and mineral ions to the soil.

Feeding relationships lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.1 Relevant chapter: B17 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 276-277 Students are required to know the following; Students should understand that photosynthetic organisms are the producers of biomass = for life on Earth. Feeding relationships within a community can be represented by food chains. All food chains begin with a producer which synthesises molecules. This is usually a green plant or alga which makes glucose by photosynthesis. Producers are eaten by primary consumers, which in turn may be eaten by secondary consumers and then tertiary consumers. Consumers that kill and eat other animals are predators, and those eaten are prey. In a stable community the numbers of predators and prey rise and fall in cycles. WS 1.2 Interpret graphs used to model predator-prey cycles. Students should be able to interpret graphs used to model these cycles.

The carbon cycle lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.2 Relevant chapter: B16 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 228-229 Students are required to know the following; Explain the importance of the carbon and water cycles to living organisms. All materials in the living world are recycled to provide the building blocks for future organisms. The carbon cycle returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis. The water cycle provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated. Students are not expected to study the nitrogen cycle. Students should be able to explain the role of microorganisms in cycling materials through an ecosystem by returning carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and mineral ions to the soil.

Material cycling lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.2 Relevant chapter: B16 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 226-227 Students are required to know the following; Explain the importance of the carbon and water cycles to living organisms. All materials in the living world are recycled to provide the building blocks for future organisms. The carbon cycle returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis. The water cycle provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated. Students are not expected to study the nitrogen cycle. Students should be able to explain the role of microorganisms in cycling materials through an ecosystem by returning carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and mineral ions to the soil.

Feeding relationships lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.1 Relevant chapter: B16 organising an ecosystem. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 224-225 Students are required to know the following; Students should understand that photosynthetic organisms are the producers of biomass = for life on Earth. Feeding relationships within a community can be represented by food chains. All food chains begin with a producer which synthesises molecules. This is usually a green plant or alga which makes glucose by photosynthesis. Producers are eaten by primary consumers, which in turn may be eaten by secondary consumers and then tertiary consumers. Consumers that kill and eat other animals are predators, and those eaten are prey. In a stable community the numbers of predators and prey rise and fall in cycles. WS 1.2 Interpret graphs used to model predator-prey cycles. Students should be able to interpret graphs used to model these cycles.

Distribution and abundance lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.2.1 Relevant chapter: B15 Adaptations, interdependence and competitions. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 210-211 Students are required to know the following; A range of experimental methods using transects and quadrats are used by ecologists to determine the distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem. In relation to abundance of organisms students should be able to: • understand the terms mean, mode and median •calculate arithmetic means

Organisms in their environment lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.1.2 + 4.7.1.3 Relevant chapter: B15 Adaptations, interdependence and competitions. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 208-209 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain how a change in an abiotic factor would affect a given community given appropriate data or context. Abiotic (non-living) factors which can affect a community are: •• light intensity •• temperature •• moisture levels •• soil pH and mineral content •• wind intensity and direction •• carbon dioxide levels for plants •• oxygen levels for aquatic animals. Students should be able to explain how a change in a biotic factor might affect a given community given appropriate data or context. Biotic (living) factors which can affect a community are: •• availability of food •• new predators arriving •• new pathogens •• one species outcompeting another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.

The importance of communities lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.7.1.1 Relevant chapter: B15 Adaptations, interdependence and competitions. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 206-207 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe: •different levels of organisation in an ecosystem from individual organisms to the whole ecosystem • the importance of interdependence and competition in a community. An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment. To survive and reproduce, organisms require a supply of materials from their surroundings and from the other living organisms there. Plants in a community or habitat often compete with each other for light and space, and for water and mineral ions from the soil. Animals often compete with each other for food, mates and territory. Within a community each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc. If one species is removed it can affect the whole community. This is called interdependence. A stable community is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant.

This is one of my all time favourite lessons to teach, i’ve had great feedback from my students and would love to inspire more it’s free for that reason alone. Heart dissection lesson in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. This is NOT a required practical lesson. This is well worth doing with a separate science group. You may decide to do this practical before theory i’ve taught the theory in a previous lesson. AQA spec link: 4.2.2.2 Relevant chapter: B4 Organising animals and plants. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 54-55 Students are required to know the following; Students should know the structure and functioning of the human heart and lungs, including how lungs are adapted for gaseous exchange. The heart is an organ that pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs where gas exchange takes place. The left ventricle pumps blood around the rest of the body. Knowledge of the blood vessels associated with the heart is limited to the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and coronary arteries. Knowledge of the names of the heart valves is not required.

The blood lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.2.2.3 Relevant chapter: B4 Organising animals and plants. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 52-53 Students are required to know the following; Blood is a tissue consisting of plasma, in which the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are suspended. Students should know the functions of each of these blood components. Students should be able to recognise different types of blood cells in a photograph or diagram, and explain how they are adapted to their functions.

Reflex actions lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s, worksheet and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.5.2 Relevant chapter: B10 The human nervous system. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 137-13 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain how the various structures in a reflex arc – including the sensory neurone, synapse, relay neurone and motor neurone – relate to their function. Students should understand why reflex actions are important. Reflex actions are automatic and rapid; they do not involve the conscious part of the brain.

RP-Reaction time lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s, worksheet and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.5.2 Relevant chapter: B10 The human nervous system. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 135-136 Students are required to know the following; Required practical activity 7: plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time. AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 3 and 4. This practical activity also provides opportunities to develop WS and MS. Details of all skills are given in Key opportunities for skills development.

The structure and function of the human nervous system lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s, worksheet and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.5.2 Relevant chapter: B10 The human nervous system. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 135-136 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain how the structure of the nervous system is adapted to its functions.The nervous system enables humans to react to their surroundings and to coordinate their behaviour. Information from receptors passes along cells (neurones) as electrical impulses to the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is the brain and spinal cord. The CNS coordinates the response of effectors which may be muscles contracting or glands secreting hormones. stimulus receptor coordinator effector response. Students should be able to explain how the various structures in a reflex arc – including the sensory neurone, synapse, relay neurone and motor neurone – relate to their function. Students should understand why reflex actions are important. Reflex actions are automatic and rapid; they do not involve the conscious part of the brain.

Principles of homeostasis lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s, worksheet and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.5.1 Relevant chapter: B10 The human nervous system. AQA Biology combined edition textbook-Page 133-134 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain that homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes. Homeostasis maintains optimal conditions for enzyme action and all cell functions. In the human body, these include control of: • blood glucose concentration • body temperature • water levels. These automatic control systems may involve nervous responses or chemical responses. All control systems include: • cells called receptors, which detect stimuli (changes in theenvironment) • coordination centres (such as the brain, spinal cord and pancreas) that receive and process information from receptors • effectors, muscles or glands, which bring about responses which restore optimum levels.

Food tests (RP 4-separate science). This practical was completed in one lesson, students were asked to construct a graph from their data for homework. How did i deliver this practical? Groups of 3, each group needs a test tube rack, 3 x test tubes and 1 x boiling tube. Goggles must be worn throughout the practical. Circus activity-students visited a station to complete a food test (avoids too many students doing the same test or taking all the reagents). Instead of using a hot water bath for the simple sugars test i lit a bunsen burner and allowed students to heat their solution in a boiling tube, holding it at a slant near the flame using tongs. Students really enjoyed this and the colour change is very sudden. Only one bunsen burner needs to be on for this and can be manned by the teacher to prevent misuse. AQA spec link: 4.2.2.1 Relevant chapter: B3 Organisation and the digestive system. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 46-47 Students are required to know the following; Required practical 4-qualitative reagents to test for a range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. To include: Benedict’s test for sugars; iodine test for starch; and Biuret reagent for protein. AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 2 and 8. This practical activity also provides opportunities to develop WS and MS. Details of all skills are given in Key opportunities for skills development.

Investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction (RP 5-separate science). This practical was completed in one lesson, students were asked to construct a graph from their data for homework. How did i deliver this practical? I used 5 different buffered pH solutions (4,5,6,7,8). I split my class into two groups ( 2 x 15). Within each group there were 5 sub-groups. This allowed me to gather two sets of results for each pH. Group A Group B | Student group 1-pH 4 | Student group 1-pH 4 | Student group 2-pH 5 | Student group 2-pH 5 | Student group 3-pH 6 | Student group 3-pH 6 | Student group 4-pH 7 | Student group 4-pH 7 | Student group 5-pH 8 | Student group 5-pH 8 AQA spec link: 4.2.2.1 Relevant chapter: B3 Organisation and the digestive system. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 46-47 Students are required to know the following; Required practical activity 5: investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme. Students should use a continuous sampling technique to determine the time taken to completely digest a starch solution at a range of pH values. Iodine reagent is to be used to test for starch every 30 seconds. Temperature must be controlled by use of a water bath or electric heater. AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 5 and 8. This practical activity also provides opportunities to develop WS and MS. Details of all skills are given in Key opportunities for skills development.

Making digestion efficient lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video's and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.2.2.1 Relevant chapter: B3 Organisation and the digestive system. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 48-49 Students are required to know the following; Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. It is alkaline to neutralise hydrochloric acid from the stomach. It also emulsifies fat to form small droplets which increases the surface area. The alkaline conditions and large surface area increase the rate of fat breakdown by lipase.