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 lesson has been designed to cover the content of specification point 5.3.3 (Maintaining water and nitrogen balance in the body) as found in topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification. This resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (59 slides) and accompanying worksheets, which have been differentiated so that students of different abilities can access the work. The detail of the content and this resource means that it is likely to take more than 1 lesson to go through the tasks.
The resource is filled with a wide range of activities, each of which has been designed to engage and motivate the students whilst ensuring that the key Biological content is covered in good detail. Understanding checks are included throughout so that the students can assess their grasp of the content. In addition, prior knowledge checks make links to content from earlier topics such as homeostasis, osmosis and active transport.
The following content is covered in this lesson:
The importance of controlled water levels for cellular function
The ways that water is lost and removed from the body
The formation of urea by deamination
Filtration of the blood by the kidney
Selective reabsorption of useful molecules from the kidney to the blood
The effect of ADH on the permeability of the tubules of the kidney
Dialysis and transplant as possible treatment options for kidney failure
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology course, but it can be used with A-level students who need to go back over the key points before looking at the function of the nephron in more detail
This concise lesson has been designed to cover the content found in specification point 4.1.3.2 (Osmosis) of topic 1 of the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science specifications. This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (23 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help students of different abilities to take on the task at hand.
The lesson begins with the introduction of the term, osmosis, and then students are challenged to use their knowledge of diffusion to write a definition for this method of movement of water molecules. A series of questions which check understanding are included at this early point of the lesson to ensure that the key points are known and any misconceptions are quickly addressed. Students are also challenged with an application question as these can often cause them the most problems. Moving forwards, the rest of the lesson focuses on an osmosis investigation. Scientific skills are tested during a range of tasks as well as numerical skills and guidance is given on how to calculate percentage change.
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology course, but can be used with younger students who are keen to learn about osmosis
This fully-resourced lesson has been designed to cover the content found in specification point 5.1 (Homeostasis) of topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology & Combined Science specifications. This resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (45 slides) and accompanying worksheets
The lesson begins by challenging the student’s literacy skills as they are asked to recognise the key term, optimum, from 6 of its’ synonyms. Moving forwards, a range of quiz competitions are used to introduce the term homeostasis and to provide a definition for this key process. Students are given a newspaper article about water and blood glucose so they can recognise 2 conditions which are controlled in the human body. The next part of the lesson looks at the importance of maintaining the levels of water and glucose by considering the medical problems that could arise if they move away from the optimum levels. Students will learn that body temperature is also controlled and links are made to earlier knowledge as they have to explain why an increase in temperature above the set point would be an issue because of the denaturation of enzymes. The rest of the lesson looks at the three parts that are included in all control systems before a final quiz round introduces the receptors, coordination centre and effectors in the control of body temperature.
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology or Combined Science course, but it can be used with A-level students who need to go back over the key points before looking at the process in more detail
This fully-resourced lesson has been designed to cover the content found in specification point 5.2.3 (The eye) of topic 5 of the AQA GCSE Biology specification. This resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (46 slides) and accompanying worksheets, some of which have been differentiated to help students of different abilities to take on the task.
The lesson begins with a game of IMPOSSIBLE (shown in the picture) where students are challenged to pick out the names of the 7 structures of the eye which the specification states they have to be able to identify on a diagram. Students are given the functions of the cornea and the sclera to guide them at the start of the labelling task before they have to use their previous knowledge of the nervous system to write a function for the optic nerve. Literacy and numeracy skills are tested throughout the lesson and the next round of the quiz challenges them to use synonyms to recognise the key terms of adaptation and accommodation. Time is taken to focus on the process of accommodation so that students can see how the ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments interact to change the shape of the lens and allow both near and distant objects to be seen clearly. This takes the lesson nicely into the next section where the conditions of myopia and hyperopia are considered. Again, the students are challenged on their recognition of Biology terminology to spot that these are the medical names for short and long-sightedness. Students are guided through the correction of myopia before being challenged to write a letter to the mother of a girl who suffers from hyperopia, explaining how the lens is used to correct the defect.
As stated at the top, this lesson has been designed for GCSE-aged students who are studying the AQA GCSE Biology course, but can be used with younger students who are keen to learn about the eye or with A-level students who need to go back over the key points.
This lesson has been designed to cover the content of specification point 4.1.2.1 (Chromosomes) and 4.1.2.2 (Mitosis and the cell cycle) of the AQA GCSE Biology and Combined Science course. Cell division is a topic which can cause students a number of problems so this lesson has been designed to ensure that the key details are covered and checked constantly. As well as the understanding and previous knowledge checks, quiz competitions are written into the lesson to maintain engagement and motivation.
The lesson begins with the introduction of the term cell cycle and students will learn that the cycle consists of three stages. The key details of each of these stages is covered during the main part of the lesson so that students can meet the specification requirements of being able to describe the main events. Time is allotted for discussion to encourage students to converse about important points such as what happens to the replicated chromosomes during mitosis to enable identical daughter cells to be produced. Opportunities are taken to make links to other topics such as animal and plant cells as students are challenged to recall the functions of some sub-cellular structures. The final part of the lesson involves a series of summary questions which challenges the students to not only recall content but also to apply to unfamiliar organisms and it is not until the final question that they will answer a question about the cell cycle in humans.
This lesson has been designed to cover the content of specification point 4.1.1.1 (Eukaryotes and prokaryotes) of the AQA GCSE Biology and Combined Science course. The understanding of this topic is fundamental to a lot of the later topics on the course so time has been taken to ensure that the key details are covered whilst engagement levels are kept high through the range of activities.
The lesson begins by asking students to copy a diagram of a bacterial cell from memory before challenging them to recognise anything that is missing so they can discover the lack of the nucleus. Students are introduced to the idea of a prokaryotic cell before important questions are answered such as the fact that the cell still has DNA despite the absence of the nucleus. Key terms such as plasmid are introduced to the students through the use of quiz competitions in an effort to increase the likelihood of these words being remembered. Moving forwards, eukaryotic cells are considered and the common features of both of the cells are discussed and recalled. Finally, students are asked to compare both types of cells in terms of their size before being challenged on a range of mathematical skills in which they have to convert between the units of centimetres, millimetres, micrometres and nanometres.
This bundle of 5 revision lessons covers 5 of the 12 Biology topics that are found on the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Each of the lessons has been designed to include exam questions, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions that challenge the students on their recall of the content and their ability to apply knowledge. Students will be engaged and motivated by the range of activities whilst recognising those areas that need further attention.
The following topics are included in this bundle:
Topic B2: Cells
Topic B3: Biological molecules
Topic B4: Enzymes
Topic B6: Animal nutrition
Topic B8: Gas exchange and respiration
If you like these lessons, please look at my revision lessons for the Chemistry and Physics topics of the Combined Science specification as well as the IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics
This revision resource contains an engaging and detailed PowerPoint (66 slides) and associated worksheets, all of which are differentiated to allow students of different abilities to access the work. The range of activities that include exam questions with explained answers and quiz competitions covers the content within topic 11 (Air and water) of the CIE IGCSE Chemistry specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The resource was written to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
The fractional distillation of air to separate oxygen and nitrogen
The composition of clean air
The variety of reactions that form carbon dioxide
The changes in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and the link to global warming
The common pollutants and their effects on health and buildings
The treatment of water to make it safe
The chemical tests for water
The conditions needed for the Haber Process
Efforts have been made during the design of this lesson to make connections between topic 11 and the other topics in order to show students how important it is to make Biological links. In addition, there is a big emphasis on mathematical skills and guidance is given throughout to break down any barriers that students may have with these types of questions.
This revision resource includes a range of activities that will act to engage and motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of the Animal nutrition content (topic B6) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. There are exam questions with explained answers as well as quick tasks and quiz competitions such as “Have you got the right BALANCE” where students are challenged to recognise whether a statement about the balanced diet is accurate or not.
The lesson was designed to cover as much content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Mechanical digestion
Chemical digestion by digestive enzymes
Amylase and the break down of starch
The adaptations of the small intestine to allow absorption
The roles of the hydrochloric acid in gastric juice
The break down of lipids in the small intestine
The components of a balanced diet
This resource includes a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (51 slides) and a worksheet which is differentiated two ways. Efforts have been made to make links to other topics such as enzymes (B4) so students can see the importance of being able to make connections in their answers
This revision resource contains a concise yet informative PowerPoint (25 slides) and a worksheet that will enable the students to assess their understanding of the topic B4 (Enzymes) content of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The range of exam questions (with explained answers), quick tasks and quiz competitions have been designed to cover as much content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Enzymes as biological catalysts that speed up reactions
The binding of a substrate with the active site of an enzyme
The effect of a changing pH on the activity of an enzyme
The effect of a changing temperature on the activity of an enzyme
Denaturation
This concise, engaging revision lesson has been designed to include activities that will motivate the students whilst they assess their understanding of topic B3 (Biological molecules) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification. An understanding of biological molecules is fundamental to the understanding of a lot other Biology topics and this lesson has attempted to make the links between the different areas.
The range of activities which include exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions have been written to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
The chemical elements in carbohydrates
The formation of starch and glycogen from glucose
The iodine test for starch
Lipids are formed of fatty acids and glycerol
Investigational skills
The ethanol emulsion test for lipids
This resource includes a PowerPoint (27 slides) and a worksheet with a task about the digestion of milk fat so students can recognise the components of lipids
This revision resource contains an engaging and informative PowerPoint (49 slides) and a differentiated worksheet that will enable the students to assess their understanding of the topic B2 (Cells) content of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The following topics have been given particular attention in this lesson:
The structure and function of red blood cells
Diffusion as the movement of molecules from a high concentration to a low concentration
The structure of root hair cells to allow absorption of minerals and water from the soil
Osmosis investigations
The effect on plant cells of immersion in solutions of different water potentials
The function of the organelles found in animal and plant cells
The structure and function of specialised cells
This resource is ideal for revision purposes during or at the end of the topic and in the lead up to mocks or the actual IGCSE exams
This revision resource has been designed to include a range of activities that will engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topic B8 (Gas exchange and respiration) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions such as “The BIG REVEAL” will challenge the students on their recall of the content as well as their ability to apply this knowledge.
The lesson was written to cover as much of the content as possible, but the following topics have received particular attention:
The role of cilia, goblet cells and mucus in the trachea and bronchi
The effects of the chemicals in tobacco smoke on gas exchange
Efficient gas exchange at the alveoli
The composition of inhaled and exhaled air
Aerobic respiration as the chemical reaction that releases energy
The uses of energy in the human body
This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (54 slides) and associated worksheets and is ideal for use at the end of this topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual terminal exams
This bundle of 7 revision lessons covers 7 of the 12 Chemistry topics that are found on the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Each of the lessons has been designed to include exam questions, differentiated tasks and quiz competitions that challenge the students on their recall of the content and their ability to apply knowledge. Students will be engaged and motivated by the range of activities whilst recognising those areas that need further attention.
The following topics are included in this bundle:
Topic C2: Experimental techniques
Topic C3: Atoms, elements and compounds
Topic C4: Stoichiometry
Topic C5: Electricity and chemistry
Topic C9: Periodic Table
Topic C11: Air and water
Topic C12: Organic chemistry
If you like these lessons, please look at my revision lessons for the Biology and Physics topics of the Combined Science specification as well as the IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics
This revision resource has been designed to include a range of activities that will engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topic C2 (Experimental techniques) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions such as “SEPARATE the FACT from the FICTION” will challenge the students on their recall of the content as well as their ability to apply this knowledge.
The lesson was written to cover as much of the content as possible, but the following topics have received particular attention:
• Simple distillation and fractional distillation
Choosing appropriate apparatus
Experimental and investigational skills
Crystallisation and filtration
Paper chromatography
Calculating the retention factor
This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (45 slides) and associated worksheets and is ideal for use at the end of this topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual terminal exams
This is a concise revision resource which has been designed to cover the crucial details of topic C5 (Electricity and chemistry) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification, for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The topic of electrolysis is commonly assessed in the examinations so time was taken during the design to ensure that understanding is constantly checked so that any misconceptions are addressed.
The following content receives particular attention in this revision lesson:
The use of the terms electrolyte, electrode, cathode and anode
Understanding that solid ionic compounds cannot be used in electrolysis, but only electrolytes when molten or in aqueous solution
The attraction of positive ions to the cathode and the gain of electrons
The attraction of negative ions to the anode and the loss of electrons
Predicting the products at the electrodes
The lesson finishes with a summary task about the electrolysis of aluminium oxide where students have to apply their knowledge. This sheet has been differentiated two ways so that students of different abilities are able to complete the task
This revision resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (56 slides) and associated worksheets, one of which has been differentiated two ways to allow students of differing abilities to access the work. The range of activities cover the content of Topic C4 (Stoichiometry) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification, for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The aim was to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Naming compounds containing 2 or 3+ elements
Constructing word equations for general chemical reactions
Monatomic or diatomic molecules
Writing formulae for ionic compounds using the charges on the ions
Balancing symbol equations
Writing fully balanced chemical symbol equations with state symbols
Students are given hints and guidance throughout the lesson so they can build confidence in the lead up to an end of topic test, mocks or the terminal exams.
A lot of time and effort has gone into the design of this revision resource as it covers the very important Atoms, elements and compounds topic (C3) of the CIE IGCSE Combined Specification which will be examined in June and November 2020 and 2021. This topic tends to contribute a high volume of the questions in the examination papers as it contains fundamental understanding. The resource contains a detailed and engaging PowerPoint (87 slides) and associated worksheets, which have been differentiated to allow differing abilities the chance to complete the task. The range of activities that include exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions aim to cover as much of the content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
Metals vs non-metals
Using the proton and nucleon number to calculate the number of sub-atomic particles
Atoms vs ions
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for ionic compounds
The structure of an ionic compound and the relation to its properties
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for simple molecules
Understanding of the terms solution, solvent, solute and soluble
Throughout the lesson, links have been made to other modules (e.g. Electricity and chemistry) so that students can see how they will be expected to make these connections. The detail of this lesson means that it can be used a number of times and is ideal for revision during the learning of C3, at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or terminal exams.
This revision resource contains an engaging and informative PowerPoint (55 slides) and differentiated worksheets that will enable the students to assess their understanding of the topic C9 content of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. The range of exam questions (with explained answers), quick tasks and quiz competitions have been designed to cover as much content as possible but the following topics have received particular attention:
• The properties of the alkali metals, halogens and noble gases
• Explaining the reactivity of these groups in terms of electron configurations
• The transition elements
• The arrangement of the Periodic Table
• Predicting properties of the undiscovered elements
The question sheet about the properties of the different groups has been differentiated three ways so that a range of abilities can access the work
This revision resource has been designed to include a range of activities that will engage the students whilst they assess their understanding of the content of topic C12 of the CIE IGCSE Combined Science specification for examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Exam questions, quick tasks and quiz competitions such as “Are you on FORM” will challenge the students on their recall of the content as well as their ability to apply this knowledge.
The lesson was written to cover as much of the content as possible, but the following topics have received particular attention:
• The conditions needed for cracking
• Alkanes and alkenes as the products of cracking
• Alkanes as saturated hydrocarbons with single covalent bonds between their atoms
• Alkenes as unsaturated hydrocarbons with one double covalent bond
• Testing between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons using aqueous bromine solution
• The fractional distillation of crude oil
• The uses of the fractions
This resource contains an engaging PowerPoint (51 slides) and associated worksheets and is ideal for use at the end of this topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual terminal exams