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 fully-resourced revision lesson has been written to cover the major details of the electricity and circuits topic that can be assessed in the GCSE Physics and Combined Science (HT) exams. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain a wide range of activities which include exam-style questions with clearly explained answers, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their understanding and to ultimately recognise those areas which need further consideration.
The following points are covered in this revision lesson:
The electrical symbols that represent the electrical components
Describe the differences between series and parallel circuits
Recall that a voltmeter is connected in parallel
One volt is equal to one joule per coulomb
Recall and use the equations that calculate energy transferred, charge, potential difference, power and electrical power
Recall that an ammeter is connected in series
Calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series and parallel circuits
Explain how current varies with potential difference in resistors
Know the functions of the wires in a plug and the safety features
The main task of the lesson, which challenges the students to calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series and parallel circuits, is differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work
This REVISION lesson contains an engaging powerpoint (45 slides) and is fully-resourced with associated worksheets. The lesson uses a range of activities which include exam questions (with displayed answers), differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to engage students whilst they assess their knowledge of the content that is found within topics P12 (Magnetism and the motor effect) and P13 (Electromagnetic induction) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification. Generally, these topics are poorly understood by students but are regularly assessed through questions in the GCSE exams and so time has been taken to design the lesson so that the key points are covered and common misconceptions addressed.
The following specification points are covered in this lesson:
Recall that unlike magnetic poles attract and like magnetic poles repel
Explain the difference between permanent and induced magnets
Describe the use of plotting compasses to show the shape and direction of the field of a magnet and the Earth’s magnetic field
Explain how the behaviour of a magnetic compass is related to evidence that the core of the Earth must be magnetic
Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic fields
Recall and use Fleming’s left-hand rule to represent the relative directions of the force, the current and the magnetic field for cases where they are mutually perpendicular
Use the equation which connects force on a conductor, magnetic flux density, current and length
Recall that a transformer can change the size of an alternating voltage
Explain why, in the national grid, electrical energy is transferred at high voltages from power stations, and then transferred at lower voltages in each locality for domestic uses as it improves the efficiency by reducing heat loss in transmission lines
Explain where and why step-up and step-down transformers are used in the transmission of electricity in the national grid
Use the power equation (for transformers with 100% efficiency)
This lesson is suitable for use throughout the duration of the GCSE course, as an end of topic revision lesson or as a lesson in the lead up to mocks or the actual GCSE exams
This is a fully-resourced lesson that uses a variety of tasks and quick competitions to look at what happens to sound waves when they hit a boundary and how these properties are utilised for numerous functions and appliances. This lesson includes an engaging and informative lesson presentation (32 slides) and a worksheet which is differentiated two ways to enable students who are finding the topic difficult a chance to access the learning.
The lesson begins by looking at how sound waves can be reflected and how this is commonly known as an echo. Students are challenged to use a provided equation to calculate a distance by using the time that the echo of a shout takes to be heard in the Grand Canyon. Moving forwards, students will see how this idea of reflection can be used with ultrasound in the imaging of the foetus. At this stage, as the cover image shows, students are challenged to complete a doctor’s letter to an expectant mother who is concerned about the ultrasound procedure. Assistance is given in the form of a differentiated worksheet for those who find it difficult. Moving forwards, students will learn that sound waves can be refracted at a boundary, just as light waves can. Working with the teacher, they will use key terms to build up an exemplar definition to explain how this refraction occurs.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE aged students.
A fast-paced lesson where the main focus is the description of motion with reference to the forces involved. The lesson begins by introducing the term, terminal velocity, and then through consideration of examples in the English language, students will understand that this is the top velocity. The example of a skydiver is used and whilst the story of the dive is told, students are challenged to draw a sketch graph to show the different stages of this journey. An exemplary answer is used to visualise how the motion should be described. Related topics like free body diagrams and resultant forces are brought into the answer in an attempt to demonstrate how they are all interlinked. The next task asks the students to try to describe the remaining parts of the graph and they can assess against displayed mark schemes. The final part of the lesson looks at the two terminal velocities that they were during the skydive and explains that the increased surface area after the parachute was opened led to the second velocity being lower. The last task challenges the students to use this knowledge to answer a difficult exam question. It has been differentiated so those students who need extra assistance can still access the learning.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students.
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content found within Module P6 (Radioactivity) of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Physics specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
The atomic nuclei
Recognising and representing isotopes
Unstable nuclei and the emission of radiation
Writing balanced equations to represent radioactive decay
Explain the concept of half-life and carry out calculations to determine the half-life or time taken for decay
Recall the different penetrating powers of alpha, beta and gamma
Be able to describe the processes of nuclear fission and fusion
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content found within Topic P14 (Particle model) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Explain the different states of matter in terms of movement and arrangement of particles
Recall and use the equation to calculate density
Explain the differences in density between the different states of matter
Describe how mass is conserved during changes of state and understand how these physical changes differ from chemical changes
Define the terms specific heat capacity and specific latent hear and explain the differences between them
Use the equations to calculate change in thermal energy and thermal energy for a change in state
Knows way to reduce unwanted energy transfer
Describe the term absolute zero, in terms of the lack of movement of particles
Convert between the kelvin and Celsius scales
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams
This revision lesson is fully-resourced and differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to assess their understanding of topic 2.4 (Further motion concepts) of the WJEC GCSE Physics specification. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain exam-style questions, quick tasks, discussion points and a quiz competition which check on the following specification points:
The qualitative relationship between mass and velocity in the calculation of momentum
Application of the law of the conservation of momentum to perform calculations involving collisions
Applying the kinetic energy equation to compare the size of this energy store before and after an interaction
Newton’s second law in the form force = change in momentum over time
Using equations to model the motion of an object
The principle of moments
To fall in line with the specification, there is a big emphasis on mathematical skills in this lesson and students are given guidance and assistance to ensure that they can access the work
This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics P5 - P7, that will assessed on PAPER 6. It has been specifically designed for students on the AQA GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the fundamentals are known and understood.
The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:
Factors affecting the thinking, braking and stopping distance
The 7 recall and apply equations tested in PAPER 6
Using velocity-time graphs to calculate accelerations
The motions represented by the different lines on a velocity-time graph
Resultant forces
Speed and velocity as scalar and vector quantities
Converting between units
Sound as an example of a longitudinal wave
The EM spectrum
The meaning of amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period
Contact and non-contact forces
Attraction and repulsion in magnets
Magnetic fields
The extension of a spring
In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as calculating acceleration and the mathematical elements
Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2/3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 6 exam.
This is an engaging REVISION lesson which is fully-resourced and uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 2 (Forces) of the OCR GCSE Physics A 9-1 specification.
The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:
Recall and apply: distance travelled (m) = speed (m/s) x time (s)
Recall and apply: acceleration (m/s2) = change in velocity (m/s) / time (s)
Apply: (final velocity (m/s))2 - (initial velocity (m/s))2 = 2 x acceleration (m/s2) x distance (m)
Recall and apply: kinetic energy (J) = 0.5 x mass (kg) x (speed (m/s))2
Describe how to measure distance and time and use these to calculate speed
Explain the vector–scalar distinction as it applies to displacement and distance, velocity and speed
Recall and apply: force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (m/s2)
Recall and apply: momentum (kgm/s) = mass (kg) x velocity (m/s)
Recall and apply: work done (J) = force (N) x distance (m) (along the line of action of the force)
Recall and apply: power (W) = work done (J) / time (s)
Represent such forces as vectors
Define momentum and describe examples of momentum in collision
Recall and apply Newton’s third law
Recall and apply: force exerted by a spring (N) = extension (m) x spring constant (N/m)
Recall and apply: gravity force (N) = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength, g (N/kg
Recall and apply: (in a gravity field) potential energy (J) = mass (kg) x height (m) x gravitational field strength, g (N/kg)
Recall and apply: pressure (Pa) = force normal to a surface (N) / area of that surface (m2)
Recall and apply: moment of a force (Nm) = force (N) x distance (m) (normal to direction of the force
Calculate a spring constant in linear case
Describe that all matter has a gravitational field that causes attraction, and the field strength is much greater for massive objects
Define weight, describe how it is measured and describe the relationship between the weight of an object and the gravitational field strength (g
Define and calculate the moment of the force in such examples
Use the relationship between the force, the pressure and the area in contact
There is clearly a huge emphasis on the mathematical aspect of the subject in this topic and the various skills needed for success in the calculations are tested throughout this lesson. Students will enjoy the range of activities which includes quiz competitions such as “FILL THE VOID” where students compete to be the 1st to complete one of the 12 recall equations in this topic. This lesson is suitable to be used as a revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual GCSE exams
This is a fully-resourced lesson that looks at the reflection of light waves and uses a series of practical based tasks to discover the rules of reflection as well as introducing the critical angle. In addition, students will encounter how total internal reflection can be used in medicine in endoscopy and will be challenged to carry out a task where they act as a doctor to explain to a patient how the procedure works. The lesson contains a variety of tasks, progress checks to check on understanding and a few quick competitions, which introduce key terms. For example, the cover image shows one of these competitions called REFLECT THE WORD where students have to work out the key term - the normal in this case. The understanding of key terminology such as the normal is important so that students can construct ray diagrams in this lesson and in associated topics such as refraction.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE aged students but could be used with younger students who are looking to go into this topic in greater depth than perhaps would normally be encountered at their level
An informative lesson presentation (30 slides) that ensures that students know the meaning of the independent, dependent and control variables in an investigation and are able to identify them. Students are challenged to use their definitions to spot the independent and dependent variable from an investigation title. Moving forwards, they are shown how they can use tables and graphs to identify them. The rest of the lesson focuses on the control variables and how these have to be controlled to produce valid results
This lesson is suitable for students of all ages studying Science as it is such a key skill
This fully-resourced revision lesson covers the CORE and SUPPLEMENT sections of topic P4 (Properties of waves, including light and sound) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. The engaging PowerPoint and acccompanying resource have been written to include a wide range of activities which include exam-style questions (with clearly explained answers), differentiated tasks and quick quiz competitions. These activities challenge the following specification points:
State the meaning of speed, frequency, wavelength and amplitude
Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give examples
Describe how waves can undergo reflection and refraction and that the latter is caused by a change in the wave speed
Recall and use the law of reflection
Describe the main features of the EM spectrum
State that all waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum and recall this speed
Describe the uses of the EM waves
Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves
Recall and use the equation to calculate wave speed
Describe how to measure the speed of sound in air and ripples on water surfaces
Recall that sound waves can be ultrasound
To fall in line with the greater mathematical content of the specification, there is a large emphasis on a range of mathematical skills in this lesson which includes the use of standard form.
Due to the detail of this lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 2 hours of IGCSE-allocated teaching time to cover the content and this allows this to be used at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mock or terminal examinations.
This is a fully-resourced REVISION lesson which uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 4 (Magnetism and magnetic fields) of the OCR GCSE Physics A 9-1 specification.
The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:
Describe the attraction and repulsion between unlike and like poles for permanent magnets
Describe the difference between permanent and induced magnets
Explain how the behaviour of a magnetic (dipping) compass is related to evidence that the core of the Earth must be magnetic
Apply: force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current = magnetic flux density x current x length
Apply: potential difference across primary coil (V)/potential difference across secondary coil (V) = number of turns in primary coil / number of turns in secondary coil
Describe how a magnet and a current-carrying conductor exert a force on one another
Show that Fleming’s left-hand rule represents the relative orientations of the force, the current and the magnetic field
Explain how the force exerted from a magnet and a current-carrying conductor is used to cause rotation in electric motors
Explain the action of a loudspeaker and headphones
Of all of the Physics topics, this one tends to be one of the least well understood. Therefore, time has been taken to not only make this an engaging revision lesson but to go into detail on some of the topics which are commonly assessed in the exams. LInks have also been made to topic 3 (electricity) as these can often be combined in questions on Paper 1.
This lesson can be used as revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual GCSE exams
An informative and student-led lesson presentation (32 slides), accompanied by a reaction diagram and task worksheet, which together look at the key details of nuclear fission reactions. The lesson begins by introducing the students to the name of this reaction and to that of a neutron before they are challenged to recall the properties of this sub-atomic particle as this knowledge plays an important role in their understanding. Moving forwards, students will learn that two isotopes of uranium are involved and will discover and work out how one isotope is changed into the other. Diagrams accompany the theory throughout so that students can visualise how the reaction progresses. They are shown how to work out the two daughter nuclei that are produced in the reaction and how an equation can be written to represent nuclear fission. Progress checks have been written into the lesson at regular intervals so that students can constantly assess their understanding and any misconceptions can be immediately addressed.
This lesson has been designed for GCSE students (14 - 16 year olds in the UK)
This fully-resourced revision lesson contains a wide range of activities that will challenge the students on their knowledge and understanding of the content detailed in the CORE and SUPPLEMENT sections of topic P2 (Work, energy and power) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. These activities include exam style questions which will allow the students to assess their progress against the clearly explained answers. There is also a quiz that runs throughout the course of the lesson and this has been designed to maintain engagement and motivation.
The following specification points have been covered in this lesson:
Recall and use the equation to calculate work done
Demonstrate an understanding that work done = energy transferred
Understand that an object may have energy due to its motion or position
Recall and use the equations to calculate kinetic and gravitational potential energy
Recognise the ways that energy is transferred during events and processes
Apply the conservation of energy
Recall and use the equation to calculate power
Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
Describe how electricity is obtained from the tides, hydroelectric power and nuclear fission
One of the main tasks of the lesson, which challenges the students to apply the law of the conservation of energy, has been differentiated so that differing abilities can access the work
This is a fully-resourced revision lesson which covers the content detailed in the CORE & SUPPLEMENT sections of topics P5 & P6 (Electrical quantities and electric circuits) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources contain a wide range of activities which include exam-style questions with clearly explained answers, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions to allow students to assess their understanding and to ultimately recognise those areas which need further consideration.
The following specification points have been given particular attention in this lesson:
The electrical symbols that represent the electrical components
Describe the differences between series and parallel circuits
Recall that a voltmeter is connected in parallel
One volt is equal to one joule per coulomb
Recall and use the equations that calculate charge, potential difference and power
Recall that an ammeter is connected in series
Calculate the currents, potential differences and resistances in series and parallel circuits
Know the safety function of the fuse
Understand that like charges repel and unlike charges attract
This lesson has been designed to fall in line with the heavy mathematical content of the Physics specification with a number of calculation tasks and students are guided through the range of skills that they will have to employ
This fully-resourced revision lesson challenges the students on their knowledge of the content detailed in topic 1 (Matter) of the OCR GCSE Physics specification. The wide range of activities, which include exam questions with clear explanations, will allow them to assess their understanding of the content and to recognise those areas which require further attention.
The lesson has been designed to cover as much of the module as possible but the following specification points have been given particular attention:
Recall and apply the equation to calculate density
Describe how and why the atomic model has changed over time
Describe the atom and recall the typical size
Explain the difference in density between different states of matter
Describe how mass is conserved when physical changes occur
Describe how physical changes differ from chemical changes
Define the term specific heat capacity and distinguish between that and specific latent heat
Applying the equation to calculate the specific heat capacity
Understanding that temperature does not change during changes of state
Applying the equation to calculate the specific latent heat
Explaining the qualitative relationship between the temperature of a gas and its pressure
Applying the equation that links pressure, volume and a constant
Explain how doing work on a gas can increase its temperature
Explain why pressure in a liquid varies with depth
Most of the resources are differentiated to allow students of differing abilities to access the work and be challenged and the PowerPoint guides the students through the range of mathematical skills which are tested in this module
This is a fully-resourced lesson that looks at how pressure can be calculated using force and area and then explores how hydraulics are used to transmit a force through a fluid and challenges the students to apply the given equation to calculate the force or area. The lesson includes a lesson presentation (18 slides) and a question worksheet which has been differentiated two ways.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to use an answer to a calculation question to work out the equation that links pressure, force and area. A range of mathematical skills are tested throughout the lesson, such as converting between units and rearranging formula, and then the answers are fully explained so any student who was unable to move through the question can visualise the method. Moving forwards, students will be introduced to a hydraulics system and the equation which they will be given on the sheet in the exam. Students will use the equation to calculate the force or area at the second point of the system. This task has been differentiated so that students who find it difficult are still able to access the learning.
This lesson has been written for GCSE aged students
This is a fully-resourced lesson that looks at the role of transformers in the National Grid, explains why they increase or decrease potential difference and then uses the given equation to calculate potential difference or the number of turns on the primary or secondary coil. This lesson includes an informative lesson presentation (25 slides) and two question worksheets.
The lesson begins by introducing the devices that are transformers and showing the students that there are two types, step-up and step-down. Students will learn that step-up transformers increase the potential difference and step-down transformers decrease the potential difference. Moving forwards, a series of calculations are used to get the students to understand why these changes in potential difference occur. Students are guided through this section so that they are able to complete a summary passage about the roles of these devices. They will then be shown the equation connecting potential difference and number of turns which they do not need to recall but have to apply. Again, a worked example is used to visualise how workings should be set out before students are challenged to answer two sets of questions, the second of which involves the use of a second equation. Progress checks like these are found at regular intervals throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding.
This lesson has been written for GCSE students
This is a fully-resourced lesson that explores the meaning of irradiation and contamination and challenges the students to make links to the different types of radiation in order to state which type of radiation is most dangerous outside of the body and inside the body. This lesson includes an engaging lesson presentation (28 slides) and a differentiated worksheet which gives assistance to those students who find the task of writing the letter difficult.
The lesson has been written to include real life examples to try to make the subject matter more relevant to the students. Therefore, whilst meeting the term contamination, they will briefly read about the incident with Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 to understand how the radiation entered the body. Moving forwards, students will learn that there are examples of consensual contamination such as the injection of an isotope to act as a tracer. At this point of the lesson, links are made to the topic of decay and half-lives and students are challenged to pick an appropriate isotope based on the half-life and then to write a letter to the patient explaining why they made their choice. The remainder of the lesson challenges students to decide which type or types of radiation are most dangerous when an individual is irradiated or contaminated and to explain their answers. This type of progress check can be found throughout the lesson along with a number of quick competitions which act to maintain engagement as well as introduce new terms.
This lesson has been written for GCSE aged students