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.
6 exam questions which focuses on the CORMS mark scheme. I have included a scaffold for students to refer to as they answer the question so they become familiar with each of the points in CORMS.
Mark scheme included
A PDF worksheet with focused questions on determining the time of death of a body.
This focuses on factors that affect body temperature and the use of rigor mortis and entomology to determine the time of death.
I have included my answer sheet for guidance.
Edexcel IAL specification - students learn how the data for a model is produced and then extrapolated. We then look at factors other than carbon dioxide which can influence the model. Limitations of models are discussed.
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 complete lesson which introduces the terminology used in Ecology lessons. We also explore how abiotic and biotic factors can affect a habitat. There are questions to check understanding of knowledge learnt plus independent learning activities.
Learning outcomes
Recall what is meant by the terms population, community, habitat and ecosystem
Understand that the numbers and distribution of organisms in a habitat are controlled by biotic and abiotic factors
Understand how the concept of a niche accounts for the distribution and abundance of organisms in a habitat
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 practical investigation that enables students to determine whether light intensity affects the population of plants in 2 areas, one being shaded and the other with light. Students randomly generate coordinates for an area marked out. I have suggested using 2 tape measures at right angles. Quadrats are then placed at the sites and the plants are counted. Students then use the data to estimate the total plant population.
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 PDF worksheet which focuses on the changes in an embryo from totipotent cells to cell differentiation. There are questions to challenge students understanding of these terms plus DNA methylation and acetylation. Answer sheet included.
This resource is great for:
In-class worksheet
Pre/post-test
Homework assignment
Support work
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 PDF file with tasks that cover the key information studied regarding Biological Molecules including structure, names of bonds formed and types of reaction.
Activities include basic exam questions focusing on structure and properties; crossword to consolidate learning of vocabulary; match name to structure activity.
Answer sheet included
A PowerPoint which explains the difference between bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal antibiotics. It includes simple activities of students collecting information from cards around the room. There is also an exam question to check knowledge.
Brief video explaining the difference and then students collect information from cards and internet
Practical activity - Investigating the changes in the population of a plant species along an environmental gradient. Transect samples are taken systematically in a linear pattern. In this investigation, you will use an interrupted belt transect to investigate the effect of the increase in height (altitude on a hill).
Students record their results in the table and plot a scatter graph. A conclusion can then be drawn using their results.
2 worksheets focusing on the role of carbohydrates in biological organisms including how they are formed and the different structures they form.
Monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
Exam-style questions and answers included.
A PDF worksheet with exam-style questions to check students understanding of the wave of depolarisation which spreads across the heart. Students link this to the stages of the cardiac cycle.
Answer sheet included.
PDF worksheets which covers both the light dependent and independent reactions. Students refer to a diagram of both processes to answer exam style questions.
Suitable for revision, retrieval activities and homework.
Answer sheet included.
A level lesson which focuses on reasons for speciation to occur. The powerpoint is a complete lesson which contains individual student tasks to aid note taking and examination style questions.
A series of revision mats to compliment the IGCSE edexcel syllabus. Each revision mat consists of examination style questions to challenge knowledge and understanding.
For best results, I photocopy onto A3 paper.
Can be used to complete a topic or revision for test/exams.
A PPT with complete lesson with different activities to introduce the idea of surface area and volume and how it is affected by the size of an organism.
Activities include - calculating the surface area and volume of 3 cubes; explaining why certain cells/organs have a large surface area.
There is also an edexcel IGCSE exam question and mark scheme for self assessment.
A complete lesson with worksheets and exam questions/answers which introduces the reflex arc. There are simple animations which show the route of the impulse. Synapses are not covered in detail as they are not needed for double award syllabus (edexcel IGCSE).