I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Atomic Structure & Periodic Table' SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a reminder of what a mixture is and a list of key words related to this topics, pupils are asked to think > pair > share ideas about the definition of these key words. After a class discussion pupils are asked to link these terms, with examples, to the correct definition. Once finished they can self-assess this work.
Pupils will then watch a video about different separation techniques and will be required to answer questions whilst watching, after this work is self-assess pupils will explore these methods further by completing a table of information using posters around the room.
The final activity is a practical to show how chromatography works, pupils will complete this practical (should only take 10-15 minutes) and then will be introduced to Rf values, they can use this calculation to work out the Rf values of the dyes they have separated during the practical.
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt during the lesson by using as many key words from the key word list as possible.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Organic Chemistry’ SoW.
Firstly, pupils will need to complete a ‘True or False’ activity on carbohydrates, they will then be shown how polysaccharides are made from monosaccharides via a condensation reaction, as an example of a natural polymer. Pupils will also be provided with information on the structure of starch and glycogen ad how this relates to the function of these two polymers.
Another example of a natural polymer are polypeptides/proteins which are made up of the monomers - amino acids. Again, pupils will be shown how a condensation reaction occurs to link together many amino acids molecules in a long polypeptide chain.
Pupils will now complete a ‘Quick Check’ task to test their knowledge of what they learned so far this lesson, the answers to the questions will be provided in the PowerPoint for students to assess their own work.
The next part of the lesson will focus on DNA as a natural polymer. Firstly, pupils will need to order the structures given in order of size - DNA, gene, chromosome, nucleus, cell. Next, pupils will watch a video on the structure and function of DNA and will need to answer a set of questions. This work can then be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint. A diagram is then shown highlighting some of the key structural features of a double-helix DNA molecule, which pupils need to know and remember.
The final task is a ‘Quick Check’ activity on the structure & function of DNA, students will need to answer the questions in their books and then peer or self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write three quiz questions for pupils to test their peers knowledge of the topic learned in the lesson today.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Chemical Analysis’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
Pure substances & mixtures
Analysing chromatograms
Testing for gases
Testing for positive and negative ions
Investigative analysis
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks
This bundle of resources contains 6 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the 'Rates of Reaction’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
Rates of reaction
Reversible reactions
Rate of reaction: The effect of catalysts
Rate of reaction: The effect of concentration & pressure
Dynamic equilibrium & altering conditions
Collision Theory: The effect of temperature & surface area.
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
PowerPoint and task cards aimed at a KS3 class (initially planned for Year 9) to complete a poster, written assignment and a model for a specific area of Science to present in a Science Fair.
For each of the task cards a detailed list of requirements for each part of the project is included, with ideas for extension work to earn more points and homework ideas as well.
I used this resource straight after my students had completed their end of year test as a fun and engaging activity, when complete pupils presented their projects to the class and I awarded certificates for best written assignment, best poster, best model and best overall project.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes, electrolysis and energy changes’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first task is a recap on the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions, students will need to complete a fill-in-the blank task which can then be self-assessed using the answers provided.
Next, students are introduced to reaction profiles with a diagram to demonstrate what is happening during an exothermic chemical reaction. Students will then be asked to use mini-whiteboards to draw a reaction profile for an endothermic reaction, they can check their ideas using the answer provided in the PowerPoint. The next slide shows the reaction profiles for both an endothermic and exothermic reaction, as well as an explanation of the energy changes which take place during these types of reaction. Pupils can take notes from this slide, including sketching a diagram of the two reaction profiles.
The next task is for pupils to complete is a progress check to assess their understanding of what they have learned so far, once complete pupils can self-assess or peer-assess their work using the answers provided.
Next, pupils will watch a video on activation energy, they will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the video. Pupils can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided in the PowerPoint.
The next part of the lesson focuses on bond breaking/making and bond energies. Firstly, students are shown (using a diagram to demonstrate) what happens, in terms of energy changes, when bonds are broken or when bonds form during a chemical reaction. Students can then summarise what they have learnt so far by completing a fill-in-the-blank task, this task can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, students are introduced to bond energies and are shown how to calculate the energy change for a chemical reaction using a worked example. Students will then need to complete a worksheet on bond energy calculations. The mark scheme for the worksheet is included in the PowerPoint for pupils to self-assess or peer-assess their work.
The plenary task requires pupils to identify a WWW and EBI from the lesson, listing what went well/what they have fully understood and what they could do better next time.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical Analysis’ SoW.
Firstly, students will conduct an investigation which carries out flame tests to check for the presence of different positive ions. Pupils will need to follow the method provided and record their results in a table in their books, once this task is complete they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils will then watch a video on the use of sodium hydroxide solution in the test for positive ions, they will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the PowerPoint presentation. The answers to this task are provided in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess their work. Next, pupils will need to complete a flow diagram to demonstrate the steps involved in identifying a range of positive ions by using sodium hydroxide solution, this task can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
To assess their knowledge of flame tests and use of sodium hydroxide solution in identifying positive ions, pupils will need to fill in the blanks in a summary table. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson will focus on negative ions, firstly students will watch a video and will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the video. This work can self-assessed using the answers provided.
Lastly, students will practice writing ionic equations for reactions which lead to the identification of either positive or negative ions before a final set of summary questions. Answers to these tasks are provided for self or peer assessment.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a set of quiz questions to test their peers knowledge of what they have learned during the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Organic Chemistry’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters.
Complete & incomplete combustion
Cracking hydrocarbons
Fractional distillation
Hydrocarbons
Natural polymers & DNA
Polymerisation
Reactions of alkenes
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Earth’s Atmosphere’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
The History & Evolution of Our Atmosphere
The Greenhouse Effect
Global Climate Change
Atmospheric Pollutants
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Structure & Bonding’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a description of the new field of nanoscience and the types of industries where this may be important. Pupils are then given a set of questions which they must complete using a video, once the students have answered the questions they can assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Pupils will now focus on the importance of surface are to volume ratio when considering nanoparticles, students will calculate the surface area to volume ratio of a cube that is 100cm x 100cm, 10cm x 10cm and 1cm x 1cm. By doing this they can see that the smaller the particle the higher the surface area to volume ratio, this is an important property in nanoparticles - particularly for their use as catalysts. Students are then asked to prove that the same applies for a cube that is 10m x 10m and 0.1cm x 0.1cm. All work from these tasks can be self or peer assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next part of the lesson is a task for pupils to consider the application of nanotechnology, pupils will each be given a card of information describing one application of nanoparticles. They will need to walk around the room and discuss the applications with each other to complete a table in their books.
The last task is for pupils to consider the potential risks involved with the uses of nanoparticles in everyday products, students should think > pair > share their ideas about how the industries using nanoparticles might be posing risks to people and the environment. Once the class has discussed these potential risks you can outline some examples using the PowerPoint presentation.
The plenary is for pupils to pick a task, either write a twitter message or summarise what they learnt in the lesson in three sentences.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 C1.1 ’Particles & their Behaviour’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This lesson begins with an introduction to the process of diffusion, spraying perfume particles in the air is used as an example. Students are shown, by way of a particle diagram, how particles spread from an area of higher concentration to a lower concentration. Students are now asked to ‘copy and complete’ a paragraph to define the process of diffusion, this task can be assessed using the answers provided.
Next, students will need to sketch diagrams demonstrating the various stages of diffusion, and will need to match the correct statements to the correct diagrams. This work can be then be self or peer assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The next part of the lesson looks at factors that affect diffusion, students are firstly asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas on the factors which might affect the rate of diffusion. After students have fed back into class discussion, the answers are revealed for students to note down in their books. They will then look more closely at the effect of temperature on the rate of diffusion by watching a video and then summarising what they have learned by completing a fill-in-the-blank task.
Two other factors which affect the rate of diffusion are particle size and state of matter. Students are shown a diagram and given an explanation for how particle size affects the rate of diffusion - the heavier the particle the slower it is to diffuse. Students are then asked to consider whether particles will diffuse more quickly in the gaseous state, compared to liquid or solid state. Their answers can be discussed in pairs before feeding back to the class, the answers can then be revealed using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, students will need to explain, in terms of particles, why a solid is unable to undergo diffusion whereas a gas and a liquid are able to.
The plenary activity requires students to write down 3 facts and 3 key words from the lesson and pose one question to test their peers on what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Structure & Bonding’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
States of matter
Forming ions
Ionic bonding
Giant ionic lattices
Covalent bonding
Simple and giant covalent structures
Metallic bonding & giant metallic structures
Nanoparticles
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, exam questions and extra challenge tasks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Earth’s Resources’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with a task whereby pupils need to use their phones/laptops to research the dates in which different metals were discovered. They should complete the table in their books and then write a sentence to summarise the relationship between the date in which the metal was discovered and it’s reactivity.
The first part of the lesson now focuses on extraction of copper from copper-rich ores, two methods are firstly introduced - smelting and extraction using sulfuric acid. Pupils will then be given a set of information on these processes and will need to answer a set of questions, once complete pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson will require pupils to undertake a practical investigation whereby they will extract copper from an ore called malachite, an ore which contains copper carbonate. Students will need to follow the instructions provided and will then need to note down their observations of the electrode at which the copper will collect. A summary and explanation of the results will then be provided via the PowerPoint presentation for pupils to check their work.
Lastly, pupils will watch a video about low-grade copper ores and the processes of phytomining and bioleaching for the extraction of copper from such ores. Pupils will need to answer a set of questions whilst watching this video, this work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a list of key words from what they have learned in the lesson today.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please email me at swift.education.uk and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes, electrolysis and energy changes’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly need to brainstorm ideas about the uses of aluminium, they can discuss their ideas with their partners and complete a mind map in their books. Some examples can then be revealed using the PowerPoint slide and pupils can check how many they got right, filling in any they may have missed.
Pupils will then watch a video on the extraction of aluminium, students will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the video. Their work can be self-assessed using the answers provided. Students will then need to summarise what they have learnt so far by completing a fill-in-the-blank task, students can check their work agaisnt the mark scheme provided.
Next, students will be given a diagram of the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, pupils will need to complete this diagram by selecting the correct captions from a list provided on the board. Students can then check their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint.
The next task is a progress check, students will need to answer questions to assess their knowledge of what they have learnt so far this lesson. Pupils can then self or peer-assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary task is a 3-2-1 task, pupils will need to write 3 facts, 2 key words and one question to assess their peers knowledge of the topics covered this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 C1.1 ’Particles & their Behaviour’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
Students will firstly watch a video on the changes of state, this outlines processes students have covered in previous lessons as well as new processes such as evaporation, condensation and sublimation. Whilst watching the video, students will need to answer a set of questions, this work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Students will now need to copy and complete a diagram to demonstrate the changes of state which occur between solids, liquids and gases. This work can be assessed using the mark scheme provided once it is complete.
Students are now given an explanation of evaporation using the particle model, students can take notes on this process - including a particle diagram to depict the process. After this students are given a set of statements which either describe the process of boiling or the process of evaporation, students should sort these statements into the correct columns. The answers for this task are included on the PowerPoint for students to assess their work.
Students will now be asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas on the factors which could affect the rate of evaporation. Once students have had a chance to discuss their thoughts, they should feed back to the class before the answers are revealed.
Lastly is a ‘true or false’ assessment task, students need to read the statements and decide whether they are true or false. This work can be assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary requires students to spend a minute talking to the person next to them about what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Chemical changes, Electrolysis and Energy Changes’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Lessons include:
The Reactivity Series
Displacement Reactions
Extracting Metals
Making Salts
Neutralisation & Strong/Weak Acids
Electrolysis
Aluminium Extraction
Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions
Reaction Profiles & Bond Energy Calculations
Chemical cells, batteries and fuel cells
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Earth’s Atmosphere’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Firstly, students are shown how to ammonia produced in the Haber process is reacted with different acids to form different ammonium compounds before being used in fertilisers.
Firstly, students will investigate how to produce ammonium sulphate in the lab - they will be provided with a practical worksheet which they will need to work their way through in pairs. This involves a titration, which they should have carried out before, their results can be recorded in the table provided on the worksheet.
Next, pupils will watch a video on the production and use of fertilisers - using the information provided int he video a set of questions needs to be answered. This work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, pupils will be given a set of information about how fertilisers are made in the lab compared to being made by chemical industry. Using this information students will need to complete a comparison table which focuses on starting materials, equipment, safety, yield and running costs. This work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task requires pupils to write three quiz questions to test their peers knowledge on what they have learned during the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Chemical Calculations’ SoW.
For more resources designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions worth 20 marks in total, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension or revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work against their target grades, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Quantitative Chemistry’ SoW.
For more resources designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This activity is a revision activity for the 'Quantitative Chemistry’ SoW, students can either have a card each and the task can be completed as a card loop activity with the whole class.
Alternatively, students could work in pairs and be given a set of the shuffled cards, they will then need to arrange the cards into the correct sequence so that the sentences make sense (as dominoes tiles). When students carry out this version of the activity I often have a prize for the students who complete the task in the fastest time!
The solution for this activity is included so you can check their answers.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This homework activity is designed for the KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 C1.2 Module on ‘Elements, Atoms & Compounds’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension/revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know @swift_science_education or swift.education.uk@gmail.com, any feedback would be appreciated :)