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 power point to aid students understand how vaccination results in the manufacture of memory cells which enable future antibody production to the pathogen to occur sooner, faster and in greater quantity. I have used a range of resources throughout the PPT. There are 2 video which can prompt discussion. The first is a starter activity which reflects on the previous lesson, looking at the function of phagocytes and lymphocytes. Students are then introduced to the idea of vaccinations both by discussion and a video. There is a card sort activity to put the process in order and then a graph analysis task.

Edexcel Biology - specification refernce 5.17 and 5.18 2 powerpoint lessons investigating the Carbon Cycle and Carbon sinks. The second lesson investigates the causes of climate change including the issues of methane from farming.

2 lessons focusing on the process of fertilisation in mammals including the acrosome and cortical reaction. In plants, formation of the pollen tube and then double fertilisation. Activities include video, diagrams and exam style questions.

A whole lesson dedicated to looking at the effect of certain illegal substances and the ethical issues associated with drug taking in sports. I have included a debate where students sort through different opinions on drug taking in sports. This will help them formulate a for and against argument. I have also included information about how peptide and steroid hormones act as transcription factors and can activate protein synthesis. Finally, I have included the edexcel article from 2015 on drugs in sport and students can work through the article and answer the questions for homework.

Three activities suitable for IGCSE Biology topics: Classification of Organisms Characteristics of Life I have included a crossword and match the definition activity to allow students to familiarise and consolidate keywords. There is also a multiple choice quiz with exam style questions for a summative assessment activity. Answers included

Tow power point lessons which look at the action of antibiotics on bacteria - bacteriostatic and bactericidal. Also, how natural selection has made certain bacteria resistant to antibiotics and why this has occurred. There are activities for the students to promote active learning plus video resources and questions.

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.

We have started using this technique in our science department to allow students to highlight areas where they make mistakes. This could be due to misreading questions; not understanding the material; not understanding the questions; calculation questions or not using correct terminology. Once our students were aware of where the mistakes were being made, we gave them focused targets and it has helped improve their performance.

Learning Objectives: Understand how to determine the time of death of a mammal by examining the extent of decomposition, stage of succession, forensic entomology, body temperature and degree of muscle contraction. You will need internet access This is an interactive forensics activity. It begins with a body that has been found within a field. Students use their knowledge of forensics plus the information provided on the site to determine the time of death. There is no correct time here but hopefully students will be able to justify their answer. Students are able to study entomology results, rigor mortis, body temperature, digestive contents, blood results plus other facts such as clothing and exercise. Students will need a copy of the police report to complete and graph paper. Students will be given a link to access the task. You do not need to provide an email address or have a google account to access the material. The task can be completed on laptops, tablets and mobile phones.so they can be set as homework or used in cover lessons.

A formative assessment task which can take 2 lessons or be set as a homework. I set this before the end of topic test to allow students time to clarify the ideas behind the unit. Students can use their text books and tablets but the work must be explained in their own words. I have included the criteria to include in the poster and the mark scheme which would be used to grade the work. This works well as a peer assessment as well as a teacher assessed task.

8 longer response exam questions and some multiple choice. This document can be modified and the order of questions can be changed or removed. The total time for this document is 65 minutes Mark scheme is included. I have used this document as a timed revision exercise but the document can be used as a summative exam. Exam questions focus on the the periodic table and trends within the table.

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.

An activity to introduce the main elements of the transport topic or to be used as a revision tool. I have used it in class but it can be used for home schooling assignment or homework. The activity took my students over an hour. There are many tasks the students must complete as they collect their clues. Students need access to the internet to carry out this activity.

An A3 PDF worksheet which summarises each of the core practical methods to gain 5 marks in the first question on unit 3. It also supports the experimental design question in unit 1 and unit 2 I have also included the biotic and abiotic factors to control, where appropriate, and the effect of not controlling this on the experiment.

Can your students identify reasons they underperformed in exams? Maybe their target is to “revise more” for the next test. There are different types of mistakes that can cause students to drop marks in an exam: Not reading the questions Incorrect wording or not topic specific Understanding the main ideas of this topic but not knowing they had to apply the knowledge to this question. Timing These are just a few types of mistakes. The printable worksheet allows students time to really reflect on their overall exam performance. Analysis of each question marked incorrectly can lead to a pattern in the type of mistake being made again and again. Once the types of mistakes being made are acknowledged, students can use the smart targets to focus on avoiding this type of mistake. We have been using this technique for 4 years and have seen a marked improvement in our external exam results.

Edexcel specification link 6.5 (i) (ii) Two power point complete lessons focusing on the structure of viruses and bacteria. The second lesson looks at the lytic and lysogenic cycles with a short video clip on retrovirus reproduction - this will be looked at again when we study HIV. The lesson includes an exam question with mark scheme.

2 lessons looking at the causes, symptoms and treatments of 2 deadly diseases. Edexcel Spec link 6.6 There is plenty of opportunity for class discussion and links into history for both diseases. I have included graded tasks in both lessons as my students enjoy working their way up to the higher grades.

Lesson 1 covers the CNS, receptors and responses. It also introduces neurones and their role. Lesson 2 covers synapses and their structure/role in the nervous system Lesson 3 looks at the 3 types of neurones found in the CNS which will link into reflex arc Lesson 4 looks at the Reflex arc There are activities and assessments in each of the power point. There are also questions to generate a class discussion and check points.

2 ppt lessons covering the specification links in Edexcel 5.23 - 5.25 A range of activities plus assessment opportunities. Tailor made questions fit to students ability. A good topic to generate class discussion too.