I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
I currently teach IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Also A level Biology. The resources I produce for my lessons are carefully planned and I try to involve a lot of self-learning to allow students to develop these important skills needed for further education.
This series of lessons covers:
The basic principles of cellular respiration
The importance of cellular respiration in the production of ATP
The site of glycolysis, krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
The main stages of glycolysis, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Anaerobic respiration
Respiratory substrates and respiratory quotient.
Each power point is a complete lesson which includes activities and exam style questions to check understanding.
A level biology lesson exploring how a changing climate can lead to the evolution of a species.
Learning outcomes
Understand how evolution can come about through gene mutations and natural selection
Understand how isolation reduces gene flow between populations, leading to allopatric or sympatric speciation
This is a complete lesson which includes individual and group tasks for students. There are also exam questions to check understanding.
5 complete lessons with a variety of tasks which explores the structure of cells.
Lesson 1 - Observing cells explores different microscopes available to observe cells and discusses the terms resolution and magnification. It also focuses on staining of cells.
Lesson 2 - Eukaryotic cells - discover the organelles inside eukaryotic cells and their function within the cell
Lesson 3 - Protein transport and the role of RER and Golgi apparatus
Lesson 4 - Prokaryotic cells and the organelles present. Gram staining is also looked at.
Lesson 5 - organisation of cells, tissues and organs.
Lesson 6 - Core Practical 5 Using a graticule
The lessons have a range of activities including video resources. Would make a useful tool for home study.
2 complete lessons focusing on understanding the role meiosis plays in creating gametes. It focuses on independent assortment and crossing-over.
Students have an opportunity to study each phase to compare meiosis to mitosis.
The second lesson studies the adaptation of gametes in both plants and animals. This will lead onto sexual reproduction in subsequent lessons.
A classroom or home learning activity. Students can use digital devices/mobiles to find the answer to clues but to also learn the process of meiosis. There are tasks which can be completed in exercise books, building up a knowledge of the process and comparing it with mitosis.
Activity takes approximately 45 minutes.
Section 2: Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Complete lessons covering the following points:
The meaning of the terms: ecosystem, habitat, population, community, species, biodiversity and ecological niche
Describing interrelationships within marine ecosystems to include mutualism and parasitism
explain the meaning of the term: producer, comsumer, predator, prey and trophic level in context of food chains and food webs
explain how populations of predator and prey may be interrelated
Each powerpoint has talking points, small activities for students (individually or in pairs), video resources and exam questions.
I have also used these for students studying at home.
A task which is suitable for students in class but also during home schooling.
It covers GCSE/IGCSE Photosynthesis specification looking at:
photosynthesis equation
limiting factors
structure of the leaf
mineral ions
photosynthesis practicals
The task is set as a spy mission. Students are directed to different websites which included images, videos and information. Students collect the information and use to complete a mission grid which helps them crack the code. In total there are 15 clues, building up their knowledge of photosynthesis. The PPT includes an answer sheet (remove from powerpoint before sharing with students!)
My students loved this activity and it gave them a good introduction to photosynthesis.
My students often are overwhelmed with the thought of preparing for their mock and IGCSE exams.
I have reduced the specification to simple points to enable the students to produce notes on each section.
To start with, they read through the statements and traffic-light colour code each section to determine areas they really need to focus on.
I advise they work through each point, producing summarised notes to support their learning. I have included a QR code to scan which leads to a page describing each specification point. The majority are in note form but there a few videos for trickier topics.
Students can successfully build up a series of revision notes and feel confident with their understanding of the course.
2 lessons focusing on:
the effect of water temperature, water pressure (depth), atmospheric pressure and salinity on the solubility of gases in water
the implications this has for marine organisms
A range of resources including videos, research task, presentations and exam questions.
A series of three lessons which focuses on A level content from Edexcel Specification but can be applied to other specifications.
Content includes
Understanding what a chromatid is and how it forms
The cell cycle and what occurs at each stage
Control of the cell cycle
The stages of mitosis
Cytokinesis
Cell division in both animal and plant cells
Mitotic index
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
Focused questions for the article in June 2022 (unit 5).
There are over 10 pages of questions which include the answer sheet.
Topic questions include:
Coordination of the nervous system
Control of breathing and heart rate
Protein synthesis and transcription factors
Protein Transport
Immune Response
Ion Transport
The questions help support revision of many topics found thoughout the A level course.
A fun revision revision resource focusing on the topic Human Transport. Great to be used in the class or as a homework.
Just print the sheets back to back and fold down the dotted line.
The document consists of the specification points students should be aware of.
The activity has 5 pages of tasks focusing on:
the composition of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
adaptations of red blood cells make them suitable for the transport of oxygen
how the immune system responds to disease using white blood cells,
describe the structure of the heart and how it functions
explain how the heart rate changes during exercise and under the influence of adrenaline
the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries and how this relates to their function
the general structure of the circulation system
the factors may increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease
Prepare your students for the Summer 2022 biology exam.
Booklet includes all the content listed for Paper 1 Exam.
The resource consists of 17 pages.
This includes:
The specification points listed by Edexcel in the advance information leaflet
Prompt questions to aid students with their revision and help students prepare revision notes.
Core Practicals stated in the advance information leaflet.
CORMS advice
Graphs question guidance
This booklet can be used in class for revision or set as independent study for homework.
A level Formative Assessment Tasks
The assessment tasks have been created to support the Edexcel A level and International A level courses but can be adapted to support other examination boards.
Each assessment starts with a brief introduction to engage the student. Students use their knowledge of the topic to complete the task.
The task includes a guidance of what should be included and an indication to the grade associated with the knowledge, based on level of complexity.
The resources are great to summarise a topic and can be completed in class or as a homework.
Students can use their notes and books for support but the tasks should be answered in their own words to show understanding.
I have found that these tasks:
• Engage students and promote active learning.
• They help students develop their course notes and prepare their revision.
• Enables students of all abilities to progress and gives the teacher a way to access knowledge and understanding.
• Enables misconceptions to be addressed.
• Promotes the use of key scientific vocabulary to support answering examination questions.
How to assess the task:
Teacher assessed
If the teacher is grading, I suggest taking a general approach. If students have attempted each section and the science is correct, I award the higher mark from the section. If not all the information is present or if not all of it is correct, award the lower grade from the section.
Student assessed
Students gain a lot from marking their own assessment or their peer´s. They should be able to justify the grade awarded. This can help develop appropriate feedback.
A complete topic including 8 full lesson powerpoints and 7 worksheets.
Each lesson includes bell ringer activities (starter activities) and plenary activities plus lots of retrieval practice. Each lesson takes approximately 50 - 60 minutes. The PowerPoint can be modified to suit your lesson. There is also a recommend practical activity that involves an eye dissection (worksheet included). There are also many exam-style questions to ensure students understand the material.
I have included a range of different resources and tasks including pair and individual work.
Students should be able to complete the following after the lessons:
Describe the geotropic and phototropic responses of roots and stems and understand the role of auxin in the phototropic response of stems.
State that the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord andis linked to sense organs by nerves.
Understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense organs sends electrical impulses along nerves into and out of the central nervous system, resulting in rapid responses
Understand the role of neurotransmitters at synapses
Understand the role of neurotransmitters at synapses
Describe the structure and functioning of a simple reflex arc illustrated by the withdrawal of a finger from a hot object
Describe the structure and function of the eye as a receptor
Understand the function of the eye in focusing on near and distant objects, and in responding to changes in light intensity
Describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation
8 lessons with powerpoints and worksheets covering the topic Gas Exchange in both plants and humans. This covers:
The breathing system of humans including diagrams of the system to label
Gas exchange and the alveolus. Students discover how alveoli are adapted to gas echange.
Ventilation
Core practical - breathing rate and exercise
Smoking and how the lungs are damaged
Gas exchange in the leaf
Gas exchange mission - students are given access to the powerpoint to complete a spy mission linked to gas exchange (optional lesson)
Core practical - investigating the effect of light on photosynthesis/respiration
Each lesson contains a series of tasks to aid students learning including videos, discussion, labelling diagrams and exam questions.
A PDF worksheet, with answers, focusing on the limiting factors of photosynthesis. The experiment involves a student changing the light wavelength and investigating the rate of the reaction. Questions are similar to those found on exam papers relating to the topic.
This resource is great for:
In-class worksheet
Pre/post-test
Homework assignment
Support work