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 lesson has been designed to cover the content as detailed in points 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (The eye as a sensory receptor and the correction of eye defects) of the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification. Consisting of a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (54 slides) and accompanying worksheets, the range of activities will motivate the students whilst ensuring that the content is covered in detail. Students will learn how the structures of the eye enable it to function as a sensory receptor, with a particular focus on the role of the cornea, lens, iris and the rod and cone cells in the retina. In addition, students will understand how eye defects such as short-sightedness and cataracts can cause problems for vision and can be corrected. Progress checks are included throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding of the content and any misconceptions can be addressed whilst quiz competitions are used to introduce new terms in a fun and memorable way.
This lesson has been written for GCSE-aged students who are studying the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification but can be used with younger students who have a real interest in this sensory receptor as well as older students who need to know the key details for their A level course.
This lesson has been written to cover the part of specification point 6.4.3 of the AQA A-level Biology specification which states that students should be able to describe how water and glucose are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule. It has specifically been designed to build on the knowledge gained in the previous lessons on the structure of the nephron and ultrafiltration.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to recall the substances that are found in the glomerular filtrate so that each of them can be considered over the course of the rest of the lesson. Moving forwards, the first of the numerous discussion points which are included in the lesson is used to get students to predict the component of the filtrate which won’t be found in the urine when they are presented with pie charts from each of these situations. Upon learning that glucose is 100% reabsorbed, along with most of the ions and some of the water, the rest of the lesson focuses on describing the relationship between the structure of the PCT and the function of selective reabsorption. Again, this section begins by encouraging the students to discuss and to predict which structures they would expect to find in a section of the kidney if the function is to reabsorb. They are given the chance to see the structure (as shown in the cover image) before each feature is broken down to explain its importance. Time is taken to look at the role of the cotransporter proteins to explain how this allows glucose, along with sodium ions, to be reabsorbed from the lumen of the PCT into the epithelial cells. The final part of the lesson focuses on urea and how the concentration of this substance increases along the tubule as a result of the reabsorption of some of the water.
This lesson has been designed for students studying on the AQA-A level Biology course and ties in nicely with the other lessons from 6.4.3 as well as the other uploaded lessons from topic 6
This lesson looks at the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as an in vitro method to amplify DNA fragments as part of the recombinant DNA technology process. The clear PowerPoint has been designed to cover the second part of point 8.4.1 of the AQA A-level Biology specification.
A quick quiz competition is used to introduce the PCR abbreviation before students are encouraged to discuss the identity of the enzyme involved and to recall the action of this enzyme. Students will learn that this reaction involves cyclical heating and cooling to a range of temperatures so the next part of this lesson looks at these particular temperatures so the important parts of each of the steps can be understood. Time is taken to examine the key points in detail, such as the specific DNA polymerase that is used and how it is not denatured at the high temperature as well as the involvement of the primers.
This fully-resourced lesson describes the sliding filament model of muscular contraction and has been designed to cover the 4th part of point E2 in UNIT 2 of the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science specification. The wide range of activities included in the lesson will engage and motivate the students whilst the understanding checks will allow them to assess their progress.
The lesson begins by getting them to reveal the prefix myo so that they can recognise that myology is the study of muscles. This leads into the next task, where they have to identify two further terms beginning with myo and are the names of structures involved in the arrangement of skeletal muscle. Key terminology is used throughout the lesson so that students feel comfortable when they encounter this in questions. Students were introduced to the sarcomere and the bands and zones that are found within a myofibril in a previous lesson and they are challenged to discuss how the sarcomere can narrow but the lengths of the myofilaments remain the same. The main task of the lesson involves the formation of a bullet point description of the sliding filament model where one event is the trigger for the next. Time is taken during this section to focus on the involvement of calcium ions and ATP. The final part of the lesson involves students having to apply their knowledge by describing the effect on muscle contraction when a part of a structure is unable to function correctly.
This fully-resourced lesson describes the roles of the SAN, AVN, bundle of His and the Purkyne fibres in the cardiac conduction system. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the fifth specification point in topic 1.1.2 of the AQA A-level PE specification
The lesson begins with the introduction of the SAN as the natural pacemaker and then time is given to study each step of the conduction of the impulse as it spreads away from this node in a wave of excitation. The lesson has been written to make clear links to the cardiac cycle which is introduced to provide a deeper understanding and to the structure of the heart and students are challenged on their knowledge of this system. Moving forwards, students are encouraged to consider why a delay would occur at the AVN and then they will learn that the impulse is conducted along the Bundle of His to the apex before being conducted on the Purkyne fibres so that the contraction of the ventricles can happen from the bottom upwards. The final task of the lesson challenges the students to describe the full sequence of events in the conduction of the electrical impulse through the heart tissue, and there is a particular emphasis on the use of key terminology
This fully-resourced lesson describes the behaviour of chromosomes during interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis in the cell cycle. The detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the first half of point 2.2 as detailed in the AQA A-level Biology specification whereas uncontrolled cell division and cancer and binary fission are covered in upcoming lessons.
Depending upon the exam board taken at GCSE, the knowledge and understanding of mitosis and the cell cycle will differ considerably between students and there may be a number of misconceptions. This was considered at all points during the planning of the lesson and to address existing errors, key points are emphasised throughout. The cell cycle is introduced at the start of the lesson and the quantity of DNA inside the parent cell is described as diploid and as 2n. A quiz competition has been written into the lesson and this runs throughout, challenging the students to identify the quantity of DNA in the cell (in terms of n) at different points of the cycle. Moving forwards, the first real focus is interphase and the importance of DNA replication is explained so that students can initially recognise that there are pairs of identical sister chromatids and then can understand how they are separated later in the cycle. The main part of the lesson focuses on prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase and describes how the chromosomes behave in these stages. Centrioles were not covered in the topic 2.1 lessons on cell structures so a quick task will introduce them to these organelles who are responsible for the production of the spindle apparatus, Students will understand how the cytoplasmic division that occurs in cytokinesis results in the production of genetically identical daughter cells. This leads into a series of understanding and application questions where students have to identify the various roles of mitosis in living organisms as well as tackling a Maths in a Biology context question. The lesson concludes with a final round of MITOSIS SNAP where they only shout out this word when a match is seen between the name of a phase, an event and a picture.
This fully-resourced lesson distinguishes between active and passive, natural and artificial immunity and explains how vaccinations can be used to control disease. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover point 11.2 (d) of the CIE A-level Biology specification and there is also a description and discussion on the concept of herd immunity.
In topic 11.1, students were introduced to the primary and secondary immune responses so the start of this lesson uses an imaginary game of TOP TRUMPS to challenge them on the depth of their understanding. This will act to remind them that a larger concentration of antibodies is produced in a quicker time in the secondary response. The importance of antibodies and the production of memory cells for the development of immunity is emphasised and this will be continually referenced as the lesson progresses. The students will learn that this response of the body to a pathogen that has entered the body through natural processes is natural active immunity. Moving forwards, time is taken to look at vaccinations as an example of artificial active immunity. Another series of questions focusing on the MMR vaccine will challenge the students to explain how the deliberate exposure to antigenic material activates the immune response and leads to the retention of memory cells. A quick quiz competition is used to introduce the variety of forms that the antigenic material can take along with examples of diseases that are vaccinated against using these methods. The eradication of smallpox is used to describe the concept of herd immunity and the students are given time to consider the scientific questions and concerns that arise when the use of this pathway is a possible option for a government. The remainder of the lesson looks at the different forms of passive immunity and describes the drawbacks in terms of the need for a full response if a pathogen is re-encountered
This bundle covers the content of the 4 specification points in topic 14.2 of the CIE A-level biology specification, titled “Homeostasis in plants”. The 4 specification points concern the structure and function of guard cells as well as the role of abscisic acid and calcium ions in a plant’s response to water stress.
The plant biology topics can be poorly understood by students, so both lessons have been filled with understanding checks so students can constantly assess their progress and address any knowledge gaps that arise.
This resource contains an engaging and detailed lesson PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets which cover the content of both the Core and Supplement sections of topic 14.2 (Sense organs) as detailed in the CIE IGCSE Biology specification. Understanding checks are included at regular points throughout the lesson to allow the students to self-assess their progress and quiz competitions like SAY WHAT YOU SEE and LOOK into these WORDS introduce key terms in a fun and memorable way. The following content is covered across this resource:
The function of the cornea, retina, lens, optic nerve and iris
Identifying these structures and the pupil, fovea and blind spot on a diagram
The roles of the rods and cones in the retina and their distribution
Explain the pupil reflex in terms of the antagonistic action of the muscles in the iris
Accommodation to view near and distant objects
Sense organs and the stimuli to which they respond
This lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the CIE IGCSE Biology course but is suitable for both younger and older students who are studying this organ
This bundle contains 7 fully-resourced lessons which are highly detailed and will engage and motivate the students whilst covering the content of topic 13 of the CIE A-level Biology specification (for assessment in 2025 - 27). The following specification points are covered:
Topic 13.1: points 1 - 12
Topic 13.2: points 1 & 2
The lesson PowerPoints and accompanying resources contain a wide range of tasks which include exam-style questions, whole class discussion periods and quiz competitions which are designed to introduce key terms and values in a memorable way.
If you would like to get an idea of the quality of these lessons, then download the Calvin cycle intermediates lesson as this has been shared for free.
An engaging lesson presentation (95 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within TOPIC 4 (Chemical changes) of the AQA GCSE Chemistry specification (specification point C4.4)
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Reactivity series
Extraction of metals and reduction
Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons
Reactions of metals with acids
Neutralisations
Titrations
Electrolysis
Half equations
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “It’s time for ACTION” and “Number CRAZY” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
An engaging lesson presentation (70 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit C2 (Bonding, structure and properties of matter) of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification (specification point C5.2)
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Chemical bonds
Ionic bonding
Ionic compounds
Properties of ionic compounds
Covalent bonding
Metallic bonding
Properties of metals and alloys
The three states of matter
State symbols
Structure and bonding of carbon
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “The name’s BOND…” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
A fully resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within modules B1, B2 and B3 of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Biology specification as will be covered in Biology paper 1
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Cell structures
What happens in cells
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Supplying the cell
The challenge of size
The nervous system
The endocrine system
Maintaining internal environments
Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require further attention
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 Topics P4 and P5 (Waves, Light and the Electromagnetic spectrum) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Define and use the terms frequency, wavelength, amplitude, period and wave velocity as applied to waves
Describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves by referring to sound and EM waves
Recall and use the two equations to calculate wave speed
Describe how to measure the velocity of sound in air and ripples on water surfaces
Explain how waves will be refracted at a boundary in terms of the change in direction and speed
Recall that the EM waves are transverse and travel at the same speed in a vacuum
Recall the main groupings of the EM spectrum
Recall the potential danger associated with EM waves with increasing frequency
Describe some uses of the EM waves
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 P3 (Conservation of energy) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.
The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:
Recall and use the equation to calculate the change in gravitational potential energy
Recall and use the equation to calculate the change in kinetic energy of a moving object
Explain what is meant by the conservation of energy
Analyse the way energy is stored when a system changes
Explain how mechanical processes become wasteful
Explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer
Recall and use the equation to calculate efficiency
Describe the main energy sources available for use on Earth
Explain patterns and trends in the use of energy resources
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 engaging lesson presentation (58 slides) and associated worksheets uses exam questions with displayed mark schemes, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the topics found within module B4 of the OCR Gateway A GCSE Biology specification. The topics which are specifically tested within the lesson include:
Ecosystems, Competition and interdependence, Pyramids of biomass, Efficiency of biomass transfer, The carbon cycle and Decomposers
Students will enjoy the competitions such as "Number CRAZY" and "Take the HOTSEAT" whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need their further attention
An engaging lesson presentation (64 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within unit B1 (Cell Biology) of the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification (specification point 4.1).
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Animal and plant cells
Microscopy
Chromosomes
The cell cycle including mitosis
Stem cells
Diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “SPOT the CELL” and “Take the Hotseat” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
An engaging lesson presentation (56 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within Topic 6 (Plant structures and their function) of the EDEXCEL GCSE Biology specification
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Photosynthesis and producers
The reaction of photosynthesis
Limiting factors
The structure of root hair cells
The structure of the xylem and phloem
The effect of environmental factors on the rate of transpiration
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “XYLEM vs PHLOEM" and “Shine the LIGHT on any ERRORS” whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
An engaging lesson presentation (73 slides) and associated worksheets that uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to help the students to assess their understanding of the topics found within TOPIC 1 (Atomic structure and the Periodic Table) of the AQA GCSE Chemistry specification (specification unit C4.1).
The topics that are tested within the lesson include:
Mixtures
Development of the model of the atom
The subatomic particles
Electronic structure
The periodic table
Group 0
Group 1
Group 7
The transition metals
Students will be engaged through the numerous activities including quiz rounds like “UNLOCK the safe" whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention
A fully resourced lesson which uses a combination of exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the topics found within module 5.2 (Excretion as an example of homeostatic control) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification.
The following topics are tested within the lesson:
Excretion
The structure of the liver
Liver function
Kidney structure
Kidney function
Osmoregulation
Kidney failure
Students will be engaged through the various activities whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which need further attention.