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.
A 360 panoramic escape room. A great way to introduce the topic of pathogenic microorganisms.
Scenario: The World Health Organisation has released a warning about a new type of disease spreading rapidly over 3 continents. It is very contagious, and the death rate is rising. No one knows at this stage what type of pathogen is causing this illness.
The first task is to return to where the illness was first reported and determine what is causing this new disease. The mission begins in a nearby woodland where the first victims had been staying.
The escape room is designed to generate student interest in microbes. There are a range of resources to support learning including videos, puzzles, worksheets and mazes.
The missions should be played in numerical order as the information in the activities provide the answers to the clues.
The escape room itself contains a lot of information regarding:
• Types of microorganisms
• Lifecycles of microorganisms
• TB, HIV and Candida auris information sheets.
There are mini-quizzes and checkpoints along the way to check student understanding. The answers to these questions are found in videos and worksheets.
At the end of each set of activities there is a key with a locked question. This is the only question students need to get correct in the activities as these lead to the next clue.
This is a great introduction to A level Unit 4 Microorganisms unit.
A series of 4 lessons covering the following points:
GPP = NPP + R
Calculating net primary productivity
Calculating the effficiency of biomass and energy transfers between trophic levels
Terminology
Biotic and abiotic factors
Concept of niche
Stages of succession
PPT include many tasks for students to promote independent thinking and learning plus exam style questions and answers.
Edexcel Specification Point: 5.20; 5.21; 5.22 covered.
A complete lesson discussing the implications in a global change of climate.
There are opportunities for group/pair discussion plus exam style questions and answers to check understanding.
A level lesson focusing on the following objectives:
Understand that changes in allele frequency come about as a result of mutation and natural selection
Understand how the Hardy-Weinberg equation can be used to see whether a change in allele frequency is occurring in a population over time
I have included many tasks which can be performed individually or in pairs.
Students have 2 exam style questions to attempt using the Hardy Weinberg equation
Edexcel Spec Link - 6.16 and 6.20
Three lessons which focus on the forensic science element of the topic.
The first lesson looks at the role of microorganisms in decomposition. This is a recap session, looking at the carbon cycle.
Lesson 2 introduces the idea of using body temperature and rigor mortis to determine time of death.
lesson 3 finishes the topic looking at the role of bacteria and insects in decomposition. This links to succession which had been studied previously.
There are many different student activities including questions and answers on the topic.
A series of complete lessons covering the syllabus content for the IAL Biology topic 8B.
This includes the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system.
The structure of the spinal cord and brain.
The peripheral nervous system
How we investigate the structure and functions of the brain
The effect of drugs on synapses
Chemical control in plants
Phytochrome and seed germination/flowering
I have tried to include various methods for both independent and group learning. There are also short assessment questions to check understanding.
A series of activities for students to complete in class or at home in preparation for the unit 4 examination. It is most useful to use before they attempt exam past papers
Resources include:
A tick sheet for revision
A learning grid with focused questions to ensure students cover main topics in unit 4 (11 pages). This includes photosynthesis; global warming; evolution; GPP and NPP; microorganisms and how they reproduce; the immune response; immunity ; PCR; DNA profiling and forensics.
Vocabulary reinforcer
Exam command words reminder
This PPT links to the Edexcel A2 course - describe how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms.
It also links to risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified organisms.
The PPT is a complete lesson with short tasks which generate discussions regarding this ethical issue.
I have included the uses of the enzymes they need to know.
There are A level past paper questions to test knowledge plus a fun quick quiz at end of PPT.
This resource focuses on Edexcel specification link 6.11
It introduces the different types of immunity.
There is a video resource and questions to check understanding.
The information cards can be printed and put around room for students to collect information to make it more interactive. I was short on time so I went through them on the board as students made their own notes.
A PDF worksheet designed to summarise the process of protein synthesis to IGCSE students. The task is a word fill exercise but my students added comments to the diagrams to consolidate their understanding.
A complete lesson focusing on the following points in the specification.
Understand the structure of chloroplasts in relation to their role in photosynthesis
Understand what is meant by action spectrum and absorption spectrum
Understand how the chlorophyll pigments can be separated by chromatography.
A variety of activities to promote discussion and learning.
A PDF worksheet of a dichotomous key to identify invertebrates. This can be used as an independent learning task where students can work through the clues in the key.
Answer sheet included.
A useful revision tool for students preparing for the Edexcel IGCSE Biology exam Summer 2022.
The booklet includes the specification points for students to plan their revision plus details of core practicals they could be tested on.
There are also a large range of revision questions to test student knowledge.
A PDF worksheet focusing on the DNA replication experiment devised by Meselson and Stahl. Students answer exam-style questions.
Use activity for retrieval practice, revision or to check understanding.
Can be used in class or as a homework activity.
Answer sheet included.
8 A3 Revision mats to prepare students for the upcoming paper 2 exam.
These focus on
The kidney and excretion
Cloning, Micropropagation and Fish farming
Ecology and the Environment
Protein Synthesis
Menstrual Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Transpiration in plants
Immune system and vaccination
A lesson which introduces the role of auxin in both phototropism and geotropism. I have included 2 video links on youtube and an exam question.
There are 2 tasks which allow the students to develop their understanding of how plants respond to stimuli and how auxin works in roots and shoots.
AS Biology lesson on the process of fertilisation in flowering plants from pollen tube formation to fusion of nuclei.
Contains a useful video I found on youtube which explains the process. I have also included a starter activity of labelling the plant parts (IGCSE) and an exam question with mark scheme for self assessment activity.
A simple pdf worksheet where students describe how gram staining works. There are some basic diagrams to help scaffold their answers.
Answer sheet provided.
I have used my own resources and a few slides from other Tes members (thank you!) to put together a PPT which recalls the equation for momentum and then looks at how to calculate force using the change of momentum and time.
There are also exam questions included for extra practice!