A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
A Science teacher by trade, I've also been known to be found teaching Maths and PE! However, strange as it may seem, my real love is designing resources that can be used by other teachers to maximise the experience of the students. I am constantly thinking of new ways to engage a student with a topic and try to implement that in the design of the lessons.
This bundle of 10 lessons covers a lot of the content in Topic B3 (Genetics) of the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification. The topics covered within these lessons include:
Advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction
Advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction
The role of meiosis
The structure of DNA
Transcription and translation
Understanding and using genetic terminology
Monohybrid inheritance
Sex determination
Sex linkage
The causes of variation
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This fully-resources lesson looks at the phenomenon known as the Bohr effect and describes and explains how an increased carbon dioxide concentration affects the dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin. The PowerPoint has been designed to cover the second part of point 3.1.2 (j) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and continually ties in with the previous lesson on the role of haemoglobin.
The lesson begins with a terminology check to ensure that the students can use the terms affinity, oxyhaemoglobin and dissociation. In line with this, they are challenged to draw the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve and are reminded that this shows how oxygen associates with haemoglobin but how it dissociates at low partial pressures. Moving forwards, a quick quiz is used to introduce Christian Bohr and the students are given some initial details of his described effect. This leads into a series of discussions where the outcome is the understanding that an increased concentration of carbon dioxide decreases the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen. The students will learn that this reduction in affinity is a result of a decrease in the pH of the cell cytoplasm which alters the tertiary structure of the haemoglobin. Opportunities are taken at this point to challenge students on their prior knowledge of protein structures as well as the bonds in the tertiary structure. The lesson finishes with a series of questions where the understanding and application skills are tested as students have to explain the benefit of the Bohr effect for an exercising individual. These questions are differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work and to be challenged
This is an informative lesson that builds on the knowledge that students gained at GCSE on the topic of inheritance to enable them to carry out genetic crosses for the inheritance of a single gene at A-level. The start of the lesson focuses on the terminology that is associated with this topic which has to be recognised and understood if students are going to be able to begin a cross. Time is taken to go over key points such as the genotypes and working out the different possible gametes that would be produced by meiosis. Students can save time by only showing the different gametes so assistance is given on this. As can be seen from the cover image, a step by step guide is used to go through a number of examples so that students can visualise how to set out their diagrams in order to maximise the marks gained. There are progress checks written into the lesson throughout so that assessment is constant.
This lesson can be taught alongside another upload called “understanding genetic trees”
This extensive and fully-resourced lesson describes the principles and explains the techniques used in the production of recombinant DNA in genetic engineering. Both the engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been written to cover points 6.1.3 (f) (i & ii) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification.
The lesson begins with a definition of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA to allow students to begin to understand how this process involves the transfer of DNA fragments from one species to another. Links are made to the genetic code and transcription and translation mechanisms, which were met in module 2, in order to explain how the transferred gene can be translated in the transgenic organism. Moving forwards, the method involving reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase is introduced and their knowledge of the structure of the polynucleotides and the roles of enzymes is challenged through questions and discussion points. Restriction enzymes are then introduced and time is taken to look at the structure of a restriction site as well as the production of sticky ends due to the staggered cut on the DNA. A series of exam-style questions with displayed mark schemes are used to allow the students to assess their current understanding.
The second half of the lesson looks at the culture of transformed host cells as an in vivo method to amplify DNA fragments. Students will learn that bacterial cells are the most commonly transformed cells so the next task challenges their recall of the structures of these cells so that plasmid DNA can be examined from that point onwards. The following key steps are described and explained:
• Remove and prepare the plasmid to act as a vector
• Insert the DNA fragment into the vector
• Transfer the recombinant plasmid into the host cell
• Identify the cells which have taken up the recombinant plasmid
• Allow the transformed host cells to replicate and express the novel gene
Time is taken to explore the finer details of each step such as the addition of the promoter and terminator regions, use of the same restriction enzyme to cut the plasmid as was used to cut the gene and the different types of marker genes.
As well as understanding and prior knowledge checks, quick quiz competitions are used throughout the lesson to introduce key terms such as cDNA and EcoR1 in a memorable way.
This bundle of 5 lessons covers all of the content in Topic B2 (Cells) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
Living organisms are made of cells
Structure of a plant cell and an animal cell
Functions of the organelles in animal and plant cells
Structure and function of specialised cells
Calculating magnification and size
Defining diffusion
The factors that influence the rate of diffusion
Movement through the cell membrane by diffusion
The movement of water by osmosis
The effects on plant tissues by solutions with different water potential
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This bundle of 9 lessons covers the majority of the content in Topic B9 (Coordination and response) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
The parts of the nervous system - CNS and PNS
Identifiying sensory and motor neurones from diagrams
The coordination of regulation of body functions
Identifying the structures of the eye
The functions of the parts of the eye
Hormones as chemicals produced by glands
The actions of adrenaline
Homeostasis as the maintenance of a constant internal environment
Control by negative feedback
The control of blood glucose by the liver and insulin and glucagon from the pancreas
The maintenance of a constant internal body temperature
Phototropism, gravitropism and the involvement of auxins
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding
This bundle of 6lessons covers the majority of the content in Topic B7 (Transport) of the core and supplement sections of the Cambridge iGCSE Science Double Award specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
The functions of the xylem and phloem
The transport of water through the xylem vessels
Transpiration as the loss of water vapour
Factors affecting transpiration rate
Name and identify the structures of the mammalian heart
The transport of blood in arteries and veins
The blood vessels associated with the heart and lungs
Coronary heart disease
The structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries
The function of red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding
This is a fast-paced lesson that explores the structural differences (and similarities) between sensory and motor neurones. The lesson uses a range of tasks, progress checks and quick competitions to enable the students to recognise how these neurones differ in terms of the cell body, axon and dendron. Students will also understand that both neurones are myelinated which allows saltatory conduction to occur. Relay neurones are briefly discussed during the final section of the lesson.
This lesson has primarily been designed for A-level students but can be used with the content means that it is suitable for use with GCSE students too who are studying the nervous system.
This is an engaging lesson that looks at the structures and actions of the two parts of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and shows students where this particular system fits into the whole organisation of the nervous system.
The lesson begins by introducing the students to the idea that motor neurones are not simply somatic motor neurones but will actually be classified as autonomic motor neurones if they innervate the involuntary muscles. A range of tasks, progress checks and quick competitions are used during the lesson to engage the students in this topic and show them how it relates to other topics such as motor neurones and neurotransmitters. Key terminology is used throughout, such as ganglions, so that students can recognise and access the marks if an exam question on this topic arises.
This lesson has been written for A-level students
This lesson focuses on the structure of RNA and specifically the similarities and differences between this nucleic acid and DNA so that students are prepared for the upcoming lessons on transcription and translation. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been designed to cover part 1 of point 2.1.3 (g) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification which states that students should be able to describe the structure of molecules of messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA. Students were introduced to nucleotides and the detailed structure of DNA in previous lessons, so this lesson is written to tie in with those and continuously challenge prior knowledge as well as understanding of the current topic.
The lesson begins by reminding students that RNA is a member of the family of nucleic acids and therefore has a number of structural features that are commonly shared with DNA. A quiz round called “A FAMILY AFFAIR” is used to challenge their knowledge of DNA to recognise those features that are also found on RNA such as the chain of linked nucleotides, pentose sugars, nitrogenous bases and phosphodiester bonds. The next task pushes them to consider features that have not been mentioned and therefore are differences as they answer a structured exam-style question on how RNA differs from DNA. Students will learn that RNA is shorter than DNA and this leads into the final part of the lesson where mRNA and tRNA are introduced and again they are challenged to use the new information explain the difference in size. Brief details of transcription and then translation are provided so that students are prepared for the upcoming lessons on protein synthesis.
This detailed lesson describes the role of the mRNA, tRNA, rRNA and amino acids during the second stage of protein synthesis - translation. Both the PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the second part of point 2.1.3 (g) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and continually links back to the previous lessons in this module on the structure of DNA and RNA and the genetic code
Translation is a topic which is often poorly understood and so this lesson has been written to enable the students to understand how to answer the different types of questions by knowing and including the key details of the structures involved. The lesson begins by challenging the students to consider why it is so important that the amino acids are assembled in the correct order during the formation of the chain. Moving forwards, a quick quiz round called “LOST IN TRANSLATION” is used to check on their prior knowledge of the mRNA strand, the tRNA molecules, the genetic code and the ribosomes. The next task involves a very detailed description of translation that has been divided into 14 statements which the students have to put into the correct order. By giving them a passage that consists of this considerable detail, they can pick out the important parts to use in the next task where they have to answer shorter questions worth between 3 and 4 marks. These types of questions are common in the assessments and by building up through the lesson, their confidence to answer this type should increase. The final two tasks of the lesson involve another quiz, where the teams compete to transcribe and translate in the quickest time before using all that they have absorbed to answer some questions which involve the genetic code and the mRNA codon table
This bundle of 4 lessons covers the majority of the content in the sub-topic B5.2 (Natural selection and evolution) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
Developments in biological classification systems
Explain how evolution occurs through natural selection
Describe the evidence for evolution
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This bundle of 7 lessons covers the majority of the content in the sub-topic B2.2(The challenges of size) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification. The topics covered within these lessons include:
Explain the need for exchange surfaces and a transport system in a multicellular organism due to the low SA:V ratio
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood at the alveoli
Explain how the structure of the heart and the blood vessels are adapted to their function
Explain how the red blood cells and plasma are adapted to their transport function in the blood
Describe the processes of transpiration and translocation
Explain how the structure of the xylem and phloem are adapted to their functions in the plant
Explain the effects of a variety of factors on the rate of water uptake
Describe how a simple potometer can be used to investigate the rate of water uptake
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This bundle of 4 lessons covers the majority of the content in the sub-topic B5.1 (Inheritance) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification. The topics covered within these lessons include:
Know the meaning of the different genetic terms
Describe that the genome and its interaction with the environment influence the phenotype
Explain the terms haploid and diploid
Explain the role of meiotic division in forming haploid gametes
Explain single gene inheritance
Predict the results of single gene crosses
Describe sex determination in humans using a genetic cross
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This is an engaging lesson that looks at how vaccinations are used in medicine and considers how the introduction of these preventative measures has reduced the incidence of disease.
The lesson begins by introducing vaccinations as the deliberate exposure to antigenic material and then reminds students of the meaning of the term, antigen, so that they understand how this will elicit the desired immune response. Lots of opportunities for discussion have been written into the lesson so that key points such as how the vaccination is altered so that isn’t harmful and how memory cells work can be discussed amongst students before being clarified by the teacher and the lesson content. Moving forwards, students will be given some figures on child mortality rate in 1900 and 2000. They are shown how to manipulate this data in order to work out the percentage change. Students are then challenged to use these skills when comparing the children that were vaccinated for whooping cough in 1968 and 1995 and to make a link between vaccinations and mortality rates. These mathematical skills are being tested more and more in Biology so this guidance will help students to understand how to manipulate data when required. Progress checks have been written into the lesson at regular intervals so that students can constantly assess their understanding.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE aged students. If you’re looking for a lesson on this same topic but for older students at A-level, then my upload “Vaccinations (A-level)” will be more suitable
This bundle of 4 lesson presentations and associated resources cover a lot of the mathematical skills that can be tested in Science. Since the move to the new GCSE specifications, the mathematical element has increased significantly and these lessons act to guide students through these skills. Students are shown how to convert between units, rearrange to change the subject of the formula and to use significant figures and standard form.
This bundle of 11 lessons covers the majority of the content in the sub-topic B6.3 (Monitoring and maintaining health) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Combined Science specification. The topics and specification points covered within these lessons include:
The relationship between health and disease
Different types of diseases
The interactions between different types of diseases
The spread of communicable diseases
Reducing and preventing the spread of communicable diseases
The role of white blood cells and platelets in defence
The non-specific defence systems
The role of the immune system in the defence against disease
The use of vaccines and medicines in the prevention and treatment of disease
The discovery and development of potential new medicines
Risk factors and non-communicable diseases
Treatments for CVD
Stem cells in medicine
All of these lesson presentations and accompanying resources are detailed and engaging and contain regular progress checks to allow the students to constantly assess their understanding.
This bundle of 3 lessons looks at the different methods by which molecules move across cell membranes. These lessons have been written for GCSE aged students, but could be used with younger students who are studying this topic and want to be challenged. Students will understand how the passive processes of diffusion and osmosis move molecules with the concentration gradient whilst active transport moves them against the gradient and therefore requires energy in the form of ATP. Time is taken to go through the factors that increase the rate of diffusion as well as relating this to the living organism with examples in the body.