I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Organic Chemistry’ SoW.
Firstly, pupils will need to complete a ‘True or False’ activity on carbohydrates, they will then be shown how polysaccharides are made from monosaccharides via a condensation reaction, as an example of a natural polymer. Pupils will also be provided with information on the structure of starch and glycogen ad how this relates to the function of these two polymers.
Another example of a natural polymer are polypeptides/proteins which are made up of the monomers - amino acids. Again, pupils will be shown how a condensation reaction occurs to link together many amino acids molecules in a long polypeptide chain.
Pupils will now complete a ‘Quick Check’ task to test their knowledge of what they learned so far this lesson, the answers to the questions will be provided in the PowerPoint for students to assess their own work.
The next part of the lesson will focus on DNA as a natural polymer. Firstly, pupils will need to order the structures given in order of size - DNA, gene, chromosome, nucleus, cell. Next, pupils will watch a video on the structure and function of DNA and will need to answer a set of questions. This work can then be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint. A diagram is then shown highlighting some of the key structural features of a double-helix DNA molecule, which pupils need to know and remember.
The final task is a ‘Quick Check’ activity on the structure & function of DNA, students will need to answer the questions in their books and then peer or self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write three quiz questions for pupils to test their peers knowledge of the topic learned in the lesson today.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Atomic Structure & Periodic Table' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a reminder of what a mixture is and a list of key words related to this topics, pupils are asked to think > pair > share ideas about the definition of these key words. After a class discussion pupils are asked to link these terms, with examples, to the correct definition. Once finished they can self-assess this work.
Pupils will then watch a video about different separation techniques and will be required to answer questions whilst watching, after this work is self-assess pupils will explore these methods further by completing a table of information using posters around the room.
The final activity is a practical to show how chromatography works, pupils will complete this practical (should only take 10-15 minutes) and then will be introduced to Rf values, they can use this calculation to work out the Rf values of the dyes they have separated during the practical.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt during the lesson by using as many key words from the key word list as possible.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an introduction to evolutionary trees, pupils will be shown how to interpret evolutionary trees and understand the common ancestry between species of organisms. Pupils will then be shown the difference between convergent and divergent evolution.
The next part of the lesson will focus on the work of Woese et al, pupils will watch a video and try to answer questions about Woese and his work, this can be assessed using the answers which can be revealed once the video has been watched. Pupils can then watch a second video, using this video they will then try to complete profile cards for three domains as proposed by Woese – archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. Pupils can again check their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint slide.
Pupils will then be given some information on Woese and his work, students will need to use this information along with what they have learnt so far in the lesson to complete a newspaper article on his work and infamous discovery.
The next part of the lesson looks again at evolutionary trees, pupils are shown how to use an evolutionary tree to compare the relationships between organisms. Pupils will then need to complete an exam-style question on evolutionary trees, which can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to come up with questions for a set of answers.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW and for higher tier pupils.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an outline of the sorts of stimuli that plants response to - light, moisture & gravity - pupils are asked to think > pair > share why they think that it is important that plants respond to these stimuli.
Pupils are then introduced to the term ‘tropism’ and are shown the sort of tropisms plants undergo due to light and gravity. Pupils will then watch a video on this topic and will need to answer questions whilst watching, this work can then be self-assessed once they have finished the video.
Pupils will then be provided with posters of information which outlines the role of auxins during phototropism and gravitropism, using this information pupils will need to complete tasks on their worksheet. Once this task has been completed pupils can either self or peer-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The final activity is an exam-style question which pupils should complete in silence and as an extra challenge they could try and complete it in the back of their books, not using any notes from the lesson. The work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt in three sentences, using the list of key words provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Homeostasis’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Lessons include:
1. Principles of homeostasis
2. The human nervous system
3. Reflex actions
4. The endocrine system
5. The control of blood glucose levels
6. Treating diabetes
7. The role of negative feedback
8. Human reproduction
9. The menstrual cycle
10. Controlling fertility
11. Infertility treatments
12. REQUIRED PRACTICAL: Reaction Time
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Infection & Response' SoW for the higher tier.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first part of this lesson is a recap on the plant diseases students should have already covered within the 'infection & response' unit - rose black stop and tobacco mosaic virus. Plants will then be asked to come up with a brainstorm of the symptoms plants may exhibit when they are diseased. Once pupils have discussed this and tried to come up with some ideas you can reveal some of the common symptoms on the PowerPoint slide, along with images and examples.
The next slide looks at the ways in which plant diseases can be diagnosed, from gardening manuals to monoclonal antibody testing kits.
The next activity focuses on the role of certain minerals in the growth and development of plants, firstly students will draw a table in their book and then they will given a slip of information about one of the mineral ions - nitrates, magnesium or potassium. Pupils will need to walk around the room or swap these slips of paper with people on the same table as them to complete the table, they can then assess their work.
The final part of the lesson focuses on plant defence responses, firstly pupils will be shown some diagrams of plants and their defence methods and will be asked to think > pair > share the potential ways plants can defend against disease.
Pupils will then be given a card sort with different plant defence mechanisms, students need to sort these into three different categories - physical barrier, chemical barrier, defence against herbivore. Once completed pupils can then assess their work using the answers provided.
The final task is an exam-style question on what they have learnt that lesson, pupils of higher ability may want to complete these questions in silence at the backs of their book. Pupils can then self or peer-assess their work.
Plenary activity is to write 3 key words, 2 facts and 1 question about what pupils have learnt that lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the 'Inheritance, Variation & Evolution’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Lessons include:
Types of reproduction
Variation
Meiosis
Selective Breeding
Genetic Engineering
Inherited Disorders
Gene Expression & Inheritance
DNA & Protein Synthesis
Ethics of gene technologies
Evolution by natural selection
Evidence of evolution
Evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria
Evolution & Extinction
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Homeostasis' SoW and for higher tier pupils.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly be introduced to two further hormones in addition to auxin: gibberellins and ethene. The first task is for pupils to watch a video on the role of auxins and gibberellins in plant growth and development. Pupils will answer questions whilst watching the video and then self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Once pupils understand how gibberellins and auxins work they are asked to think > pair > share how these two hormones might be utilised by farmers/gardeners to help increase yield. Pupils can come up with a mind map in their books of their ideas.
The next activity is another video, this one is on the uses of hormones in horticulture and agriculture. Pupils are asked to answer questions whilst watching the video, this work can again be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils will then be given an information sheet on plant hormones, outlining further roles of auxin and gibberellins and also the role of ethene. Pupils will need to answer questions using this information.
The final activity is a true/false task on the topics of plant hormones.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a text message to their friends outlining what they have learnt this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Bioenergetics' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an introduction of the process of aerobic respiration including the word equations that pupils will need to learn. Next is a video, pupils will need to answer questions whilst watching the video, once it is finished they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils are then introduced to the idea that aerobic respiration is exothermic and look specifically at the ultra-structure of the cell and which parts are important for respiration, this activity is a match up activity that pupils can complete and then mark.
A mid-plenary is a true or false task and the final activity is a levelled worksheet pupils will complete using information cards on how animal and plant organisms use the energy released by respiration. Once finished they can self-assess using the mark scheme on the PowerPoint slides.
Pupils have a choice of two activities to complete for their plenary - either an anagram challenge or a summary sentence using a list of key words.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Chemical Analysis’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
Pure substances & mixtures
Analysing chromatograms
Testing for gases
Testing for positive and negative ions
Investigative analysis
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks
This bundle of resources contains 6 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the 'Rates of Reaction’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
Rates of reaction
Reversible reactions
Rate of reaction: The effect of catalysts
Rate of reaction: The effect of concentration & pressure
Dynamic equilibrium & altering conditions
Collision Theory: The effect of temperature & surface area.
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
PowerPoint and task cards aimed at a KS3 class (initially planned for Year 9) to complete a poster, written assignment and a model for a specific area of Science to present in a Science Fair.
For each of the task cards a detailed list of requirements for each part of the project is included, with ideas for extension work to earn more points and homework ideas as well.
I used this resource straight after my students had completed their end of year test as a fun and engaging activity, when complete pupils presented their projects to the class and I awarded certificates for best written assignment, best poster, best model and best overall project.
This lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the P2 1.2 unit on ‘Energy.
The lesson begins with a ‘Think > Pair > Share’ task whereby students are asked to think about why explorers need some large quantities of energy? What foods would provide them with such daily energy requirements? Students should have the covered the ‘Diet & Nutrients’ topic in Biology by this point, so after a short discussion in pairs they can feed their ideas back to the class and the answer can be revealed.
Students will now be provided with a set of food labels, if possible they should also be allowed access to the Internet via phones/laptops, using these tools students should estimate their daily energy intake, compare this with others and then make a list of all the ways their body might use this energy.
This follows into a task whereby students will look at activities, students will need to place these activities in order from most energy intensive to least energy intensive. Once complete, students can assess their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
Students are now provided with a set of data on the energy required to perform a range of activities for one hour. They will firstly need to plot this data onto a bar graph, they will also need to answer a set of questions. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint presentation so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
Lastly, students will complete an investigation into the energy content within food. The practical worksheet is included, students can collect the equipment listed and follow the steps in the method to fill in the results table in their books. Once complete, students should answer the summary questions.
The plenary task requires students to write a twitter message to their friends, including #keywords.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation, thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Structure & Bonding’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a description of the new field of nanoscience and the types of industries where this may be important. Pupils are then given a set of questions which they must complete using a video, once the students have answered the questions they can assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils will now focus on the importance of surface are to volume ratio when considering nanoparticles, students will calculate the surface area to volume ratio of a cube that is 100cm x 100cm, 10cm x 10cm and 1cm x 1cm. By doing this they can see that the smaller the particle the higher the surface area to volume ratio, this is an important property in nanoparticles - particularly for their use as catalysts. Students are then asked to prove that the same applies for a cube that is 10m x 10m and 0.1cm x 0.1cm. All work from these tasks can be self or peer assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next part of the lesson is a task for pupils to consider the application of nanotechnology, pupils will each be given a card of information describing one application of nanoparticles. They will need to walk around the room and discuss the applications with each other to complete a table in their books.
The last task is for pupils to consider the potential risks involved with the uses of nanoparticles in everyday products, students should think > pair > share their ideas about how the industries using nanoparticles might be posing risks to people and the environment. Once the class has discussed these potential risks you can outline some examples using the PowerPoint presentation.
The plenary is for pupils to pick a task, either write a twitter message or summarise what they learnt in the lesson in three sentences.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by looking an organism - a cat- and asking pupils to think about the types of stimulus the cat might respond to in it’s environment, plus which organs it needs to sense these stimuli. Pupils will brainstorm their ideas and then self-assess their work once the answers are revealed, additionally they will answer an exam question on this topic.
Next, pupils focus on the effectors and their role in the nervous system. Pupils will be provided with a description of the role of muscles and glands as effectors and will then need to complete an exam question to assess their knowledge, mark scheme provided for either peer or self-assessment.
The next part of the lesson will focus on neurons, firstly a diagram of a neuron cell is shown and pupils need to think about how this cell is similar and different to a normal animal cell. Pupils may discuss this in pairs and try and come up with an answer before the mark scheme is revealed. Sensory and motor neurons are now introduced via an animation, pupils can look at the pathway the electrical impulse travels as it moved around the nervous system. Pupils will use this to then copy and complete a summary to describe this process, when completed this can be self-assessed.
The final activity is for pupils to copy and complete a table to sum up the main functions of each part the human nervous system either by using a card sort or by putting the statements on the board. This can then be peer or self-assessed when complete
The plenary activity is for pupils to summarise the 5 main key words they have learnt that lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins by introducing pupils to the definition of a clone and outlining the different cloning techniques they will learn about in this lesson.
Pupils will firstly learn about two techniques used to clone plants - cuttings and tissue culture. Pupils will learn about these two techniques and will need to complete the correct descriptions on a diagram demonstrating the steps involved with taking plant cuttings. Once this is complete the work can be self-assessed.
The second part of the lesson focuses on adult cloning. Firstly pupils are talked through the process of embryo transplants using a diagram. Pupils will be provided with a worksheet with a flow diagram of the embryo transplant process but missing statements to describe the process. Pupils will need to choose the correct statements to go in these boxes, this work can be assessed using the answers provided once complete.
Adult cell cloning is the other example of an animal cloning technique pupils will need to describe. Firstly, pupils will watch a video about Dolly the sheep and the adult cell cloning process, using this video they will need to answer some questions. This can be checked against the answers which will be provided.
For the next activity pupils will be provided with the diagram of the sequence of events involved in the adult cell cloning process, pupils will be required to fill in the blanks to complete the descriptions of the steps involved. Once completed pupils can use the mark scheme to assess their work.
The final activity focuses on the risks and benefits of adult cell cloning, pupils will be given a list of opinions about this cloning technique and they will need sort them into advantages/disadvantages in their books.
The plenary activity is for pupils to pick a task: either write a twitter message about what they have learnt this lesson or unscramble anagrams to spell out 5 key words from the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Homeostasis' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins by introducing the effects that too high or too low blood glucose levels can have on a person. This then follows into a couple of slides which outlines how the body is able to keep the blood glucose levels at a constant, firstly students will learn about the role of insulin and then glucagon in controlling blood glucose. Pupils will then watch a video which summarises what they have just learnt, this can then be used to complete a worksheet which runs through the steps involved with either lowering or increasing blood glucose levels. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The next task is a summary table of the key words pupils will have learnt about within this topic, they will need to either identify the key word or a definition. This work can be assessed once they have finished using the answers provided. The next activity is a set of questions on the topic of controlling blood glucose, students should write their answers in full sentences and as an extra challenge could answer this in the back of their books and try not to look at their notes from the lesson so far.
The next part of the lesson focuses on diabetes, pupils will firstly watch a video and answer questions about the causes an treatments for diabetes, this can be self-assessed once finished. The second activity is a past-paper question, pupils can answer this in their books and then mark their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt today in three sentences.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This is a resource aimed at the NEW AQA GCSE Biology specification, developed to meet learning outcomes within the 'Infection & Response' unit.
This lesson is part of a 12 lesson bundle for the NEW 'Infection & Response' Unit, found in my TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins by describing the process by which a bacteria may become resistant to an antibiotic.
Pupils will then watch a storyboard animation which demonstrates this process visually. Pupils can then use this animation to create their own storyboard, including diagrams and captions, to represent the process of natural selection in bacteria which leads to antibiotic resistance.
The focus of the lesson is then on MRSA, a few real-life headlines are given as an example of an antibiotic resistant bacteria. Pupils will brainstorm what sorts of methods hospitals employ to reduce the spread of such 'super bugs'.
The final activity is for pupils to completed questions on antibiotic resistance and how to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as MRSA. The mark scheme for the questions are included on the Power Point presentation for students to mark their own work or peer-assess.
The plenary is a recap on the learning outcomes, pupils will need to assess whether they are R/A/G.
This task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Organisation’ SoW.
For more resources designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions worth 20 marks in total, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension or revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work against their target grades, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Cells’ SoW.
For more resources designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions worth 20 marks in total, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension or revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work against their target grades, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)