I am currently a Lecturer in Engineering Design at a University, prior to this I worked in secondary schools as a specialist physics teacher. My experience from working at these levels of education has emphasised the need to ensure fundamentals in science are mastered by students for continued success in education & beyond. My resources aim to clearly communicate complex scientific principles through clear visuals and explanations - with well structured tasks to practice what has been learnt.
I am currently a Lecturer in Engineering Design at a University, prior to this I worked in secondary schools as a specialist physics teacher. My experience from working at these levels of education has emphasised the need to ensure fundamentals in science are mastered by students for continued success in education & beyond. My resources aim to clearly communicate complex scientific principles through clear visuals and explanations - with well structured tasks to practice what has been learnt.
2 COMPLETE LESSONS ON HALF-LIFE & NUCLEAR FISSION
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactive half-life and another on nuclear fission (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
Learning Objectives for Half-life lesson:
1) Review what is meant by isotope and how this is radioactive.
2) Understand the ‘random’ nature of radioactive decay.
3) State and explain what is meant by ‘half-life’.
4) Draw key conclusions from graphs of radioactive decay.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
Learning Objectives for Fission lesson:
1) State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fission. (D)
2) State the isotopes commonly used in Nuclear Power stations. (C)
3) Explain the process of a nuclear fission chain reaction. (B)
4) Identify and explain in detail the key features of a Nuclear Power station. (A)
The lesson is summarised with exam style questions.
Lessons Fusion to come soon.
Complete GCSE lesson on Nuclear Fusion and the life cycle of stars.
Learning Objectives:
1) State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fusion.
2) Identify the products from nuclear fusion reactions.
3) Explain in detail the birth and life cycle of a star.
4) Apply knowledge of nuclear fusion to stars and how different elements have been formed.
AQA GCSE Physics lessons on Potential Difference & Resistance.
Starter begins with simple discuss and demo of how to make a ball move without touching it which leads to a discussion of gravitational potential and so can be related to electrical potential, potential difference.
A class activity to make a pupil circuit is detailed along with guidance on set-up and questioning throughout. This can be greater used later as AfL and to help with series and parallel circuits.
The main uses the ohm's law investigation to get pupils to investigate the relationship between current and voltage which leads to ohm's law and the equation. Questions included to conclude lesson.
Note: This lesson is formatted is similar content to previously listed 'Potential Difference and Resistance lesson' but in the new Nteach style and also with new content relevant to the new specification for AQA GCSE Physics. The lesson will be updated as all lessons are as I create new , engaging and challenging content relevant to the subject.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Nuclear Fission ’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Learning Objectives for Fission lesson:
State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fission.
State the isotopes commonly used in Nuclear Power stations.
Explain the process of a nuclear fission chain reaction.
Identify and explain in detail the key features of a Nuclear Power station.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘Life history of a star & formation of a solar system’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Explain how a star is born.
Recall and detail the different stages in a stars life cycle.
Explain how different elements are formed.
Explain how the solar system formed.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Resultant Forces ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) State what a resultant force is.
2) Explain what happens if the resultant force on an object is zero or not zero.
3) Formulate the resultant forces acting on an object.
4) Apply your forces knowledge to DANCE.
Complete lesson on states of matter, evaporation and condensation with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter recaps content from KS3 on states of matter.
Very simple experiment included in lessons requiring warm, clear plastic cups and ice allowing for observations to be made leading to evaporation and condensation.
Literacy task on evaporation and condensation.
Plenary using exam style questions.
More P1 lessons in same format.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Complete lesson on forms and conservation of energy (+ energy transfer diagrams) with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter includes true or false to deal with misconceptions on energy and check current understanding.
Main includes a guide through forms of energy and demo on conservation of energy (just using a ball) leading to class practical with energy circus to draw energy transfer diagrams and identify useful and wasted energy.
Plenary uses exam style questions and challenging homework task to summarise learning.
More lessons to follow in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Complete lesson on the cost of electricity with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter get pupils to identify value of unit prefixes as this is important for using the kWh.
Main uses a task where pupils must calculate the cost of a electricity bill for a family of 4 from a months usage of electrical devices detailed within the worksheet - challenging task which requires scaffolding for lower ability pupils.
Lesson concludes with relevant exam style questions
More lessons to in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Complete lesson on Energy and Power of Electrical Devices with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter uses a discussion on pupils power is based on where they may have encountered it before.
Main includes a clear description of what Power is in Physics and an explanation of the units. This lead onto clear example of using the equation and to a classroom activity looking at power rating of electrical devices and making energy transferred calculation from them.
Included is a review of the power efficiency calculation with examples.
Lesson concludes with task sheet with questions using lessons content.
Worksheet includes 'Energy & Power' task to be printed on one A4 sheet to save on printing. Set-up to print '2 pages per sheet' to produce one worksheet.
More lessons to in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Complete lesson on the National Grid with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter uses a 'say what you see' game for pupils to get key words for lesson
Starter of the lesson lets the class explore where their nearest power station is and start discussing how the electricity gets from station to home. This leads on to explanation of major components with a focus on key AQA statements and transformers. Different teacher demos included to be used if equipment is available.
Main includes a card sort of national grid parts leading to different consumers at different voltage step downs.
Lesson concludes with comparison of overhead and underground power cables with exam style questions.
More lessons to in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
A large collection of GCSE AQA exam style questions. In Power Point so can easily be inserted into lessons to use as starters, plenaries, AFL or as revision resource. Questions are marked as foundation or higher tier level.
All questions have the answers animated to appear.
Topics covered include:
-Heat transfer (32 questions)
-Using Energy (19 questions)
-Electrical Energy (17 questions)
-Generating Electricity (24 questions)
-Waves (32 questions)
-Electromagnetic Waves (22 questions)
Included in ‘GCSE Physics - Complete P1 Lessons’ pack.
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources-shop/Nteach
A collection of complete lessons which address the fundamental concepts in electricity, starting from static electricity moving to current electricity with key definitions and explanations of concepts, moving to key circuits rules and characteristics..
Lessons in consistent format all following on from each other with review on previous contents on previous lessons.
L1 - Static Electricity
L2 - Circuit Symbols (including current and charge)
L3 - Current, Voltage and Resistance, Ohm's Law
L4 - I-V characteristics (also LDRs and thermistors)
L5 - Series Circuits
L6 - Parallel Circuits
Review individual lessons in my shop for greater detail on each individual lessons.
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactivity, focusing on atomic structure, alpha particles, beta particles and gamma radiation. (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
Lesson Objectives:
- Recall and detail the basic structure of an atom.
- Relate number of protons, electrons and neutrons to mass and atomic numbers.
- Explain how atoms form ions & identify the isotopes of different elements.
- Explain radioactivity in terms of alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
The lesson guides pupils very clearly through exactly what radioactivity is by starting with the atom and so isotopes.
Starter prompts pupils to find the key words for the lesson using a 'say what you see' game.
Following a review of the atoms structure and properties through questioning. A task exploring the periodic table using relative atomic mass and atomic number familiarises pupils with these as they are important later.
Ions are reviewed through a task using visuals of atoms/ions to identify ions or atoms with appropriate charge. This then leads onto explaining what isotopes which can then be linked to unstable elements.
Radioactivity is then explained through a basic description relating to like charges of protons in the nucleus and the required binding energy to hold the nucleus together.
Alpha, Beta and Gamma are then reviewed with visuals of the process to relate to pupils clearly what happens.
A literacy task summarises and reviews the lesson.
MORE RADIOACTIVITY LESSONS TO FOLLOW SOON!
GCSE Physics P2 - Forces and their Effects
A collection of complete lessons with guidance included for GCSE Physics P2- Forces and their Effects
Lessons in consistent format all following on from each other with review on previous contents on previous lessons.
L1 - Resultant Forces
L2 - Forces and motion: d-t
L3 - Forces and motion:Acceleration & v-t
L4 - Forces and Braking
L5 - Forces & Terminal Velocity
L6 - Forces & Elasticity
Review individual lessons in my shop for greater detail on each individual lessons.
2 COMPLETE LESSONS ON NUCLEAR RADIATION.
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactivity, focusing on the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation & a second lesson on uses of nuclear radiation (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
PROPERTIES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the characteristics of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify the penetrating power and range of type of radiation.
3) Explain what is meant by ionising radiation and relate to the three types and applications of this.
4) Compare and contrast the effect of magnetic and electric fields of nuclear radiation.
Pupils are prompted to post questions they have on nuclear radiation so far and in general which can be discussed by the class to serve as some recap on the previous lesson, deal with misconceptions and highlight progress when these may be answered during the lesson (and previous lessons).
Pupils recap the content of the previous lesson on the characteristics of the 3 types of radiation as this is important to the current lesson and exercises their knowledge on the subject.
Penetrating power and range of the types of radiation is covered in detail using animations.
Ionisation is reviewed by challenging pupils through questioning relating to previous content. This is then related to radiation and the types ability to ionise atoms. This lead to descriptions of photographic film and a detailed description of how the geiger-muller counter work with a bespoke animation to assist this.
Deflection of radiation is covered through questioning using clear imagery and animations to support pupils. This leads to literacy based task for pupils to compare and contrast different types of radiation and their path through an electric field.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
USES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the properties of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify that nuclear radiation can be dangerous and useful.
3) Explain in detail one or two applications of nuclear radiation.
4) Apply your knowledge of nuclear radiation to exam questions.
Applications explored in detail: geiger-muller counter, x-rays, badges, automatic thickness monitoring, traces, smoke alarms, carbon dating and uranium dating.
More Radioactivity lessons to come shortly.
Complete set of lessons for OLD AQA GCSE Physics P2 including key content from AQA.
The content of GCSE Physics P2 is covered over 25 separate resourced lessons all in the same format for continuity and direction for pupils (some of which are suitable for double lessons). Please do look at the shop if you wish to look at more detailed breakdowns of the lessons included in this bundle.
P2.1 Forces and their Effects
L1 - Resultant Forces
L2 - Forces and motion: d-t
L3 - Forces and motion:Acceleration & v-t
L4 - Forces and Braking
L5 - Forces & Terminal Velocity
L6 - Forces & Elasticity
P2.2 Kinetic energy of objects
L7 - Forces & Energy
L8 - Momentum
P2.3 Current Electricity
L9 - Statics/Charges
L10 - Circuits Symbols & Current
L11 – Current, Voltage & Resistance
L12 - I-V Characteristics
L13 – Series Circuits
L14 - Parallel Circuit
P2.4 Main Electricity
L15 - AC/DC
L16 - Plug Wiring
L17 – Fuses, Circuit Breakers & RCCBs
L18 – Electrical Power
L19 - Electrical Energy & Charge
P2.5 Radioactivity
L20 - Atomic Structure & Radioactivity
L21 - Properties of Alpha, Beta & Gamma radiation
L22 - Properties of Radiation/Uses
L23 - Half-life
P2.6 Nuclear Fission & Fusion
L24 - Nuclear Fission
L25 - Nuclear Fusion/Stars
GCSE AQA Physics lesson on Parallel Circuits including key content from AQA Physics exam specification.
Starter uses 'Taboo' game to review the topic of electric circuits using cards in Taboo sheet, need cutting into cards beforehand.
Following recap of key electric terms an animated model is used to compare series and parallel circuits.
An experiment requires 6 simple parallel circuits to be built by pupils to investigate parallel circuits, this is then summarised. (Support sheet included for pupils that may struggle drawing circuits)
A collection of question applies parallel circuit rules to problems.
Plenary uses a written task in the style of a 6 mark exam question which can then be peer marked by pupils.
1) Review series circuits rules (D)
2) Explain the circuit rules for components in parallel circuits. (C)
3) Investigate potential difference and current in parallel circuits. (B)
4) Apply the parallel circuit rules to problems. (A)
Note: This lesson is formatted is similar content to previously listed 'Parallel Circuits' but in the new Nteach style and also with new content relevant to the new specification for AQA GCSE Physics. The lesson will be updated as all lessons are as I create new , engaging and challenging content relevant to the subject.
2 New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Specific Heat Capacity' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
A choice of two starters, one ask pupils to put a series of fluids in order of which would boil first from the same heat source another poses questions on different volumes of water and boiling and placing hot objects above boiling temperature in water.
A focus on words to inform what specific heat capacity means to help understand the equation and units is given to explain what it meant by specific heat capacity. Questions included for practice of using equation for exam to secure marks in exam. A link to video is provided with prepared questions for pupils to answer.
Specific heat capacity is further detailed with illustrations and comparisons of different substances.
The AQA required practical 1 is provided as part of the lesson (all be it a tricky practical due to likely limited resources for the class), different methodologies are provided (many link to different methods are also in the note box).
A set of review questions and mini-plenary questions conclude the lesson along with an example exam question.
Lesson Objectives:
1) State the relationship between energy, mass and temperature.
2) Explain how different materials affect the amount of energy required in temperature change.
3) Calculate the energy required to change an objects temperature.
4) Re-arrange the required equation appropriately.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Radioactivity and Half-life ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Starter poses two interesting questions in relation to a continuous doubling effect linking to the mathematics of the lesson and inverse of half-life.
A quick recap on isotopes and different types of radiation is provided to keep key concepts in pupils minds.
The coin flip (heads or tails) activity is detailed to get students to carry out this activity and collect data to plot the results from to show a 'half-life curve'. Following the explanation of random events the pupils are given the task of recording nuclear decays in relation to video shown on youtube. This then allows a direct link to be made to a half-life graph to nuclear decay. This then leads to the review of half-life graph review questions.
Learning Objectives for Half-life lesson:
1) Review what is meant by isotope and how this is radioactive.
2) Understand the ‘random’ nature of radioactive decay.
3) State and explain what is meant by ‘half-life’.
4) Determine the half-life of different isotopes using given information.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.