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 bundle of resources contains 7 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 8 C2 1.3 'Metals & Other Materials’ Unit.
Lessons include:
Metal & Acid Reactions
Metal & Oxygen Reactions
Metal & Water Reactions
Metal Displacement Reactions
Extracting Metals
Ceramics
Composite Materials
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the C2 1.2 unit on ‘Metals & Other Materials’.
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
The lesson begins with a task whereby students will walk around the room looking at different objects, as a circus activity. Students need to use the key words included on the board to describe these objects, there work can be marked and assessed once it is complete.
Now, students are introduced to ‘ceramics’ as a material, they are given examples of objects which are made out of ceramic material and are asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas over what physical properties they may have. Once this task is complete, the physical properties and chemical properties of ceramics will be given to students to make a note of.
Students now each be given a piece of information on a ceramic material and its uses, they will need to walk around the room and share information with each other to complete a summary table of information. This can then be marked and assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Students will now be shown a diagram which demonstrates the structural qualities of ceramic materials, this explains why they have such high melting points. Students can sketch the diagram into their books and make a note of the details provided.
Lastly, students will be need to complete a ‘copy and correct’ task. This requires students to copy out a piece of text, making any amendments they deem necessary so that the paragraph makes sense. This work can the be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for students to spend a minute talking to each other 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 lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Physics GCSE, particularly the 'Electricity’ 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 an introduction into how to draw electrical circuit diagrams, a diagram is shown and students need to identify the correct components using the labels provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the roles of different electrical components, students will each be given a different piece of information about a component. They can then walk around the room, sharing information with each other in order to complete a table on the components and their roles. This work can then be self-assessed once students have completed it.
The next task will assess students understanding of these components in a ‘Quick Check - Who am I ?’ task. Pupils will need to identify the component from the description given, they can write their answers in their books and then check their work against the answers when they are revealed.
Pupils will the be reminded of the rules on how to draw a circuit diagram, before being given a list of descriptions of different circuits. Students need to draw the circuits that are being described, the answers to this task can then be revealed using the mark scheme in the PowerPoint presentation.
The last part of the lesson will require pupils to construct electrical circuits using electrical equipment, three diagrams of electrical circuits are provided to students, they need to use these to construct their own circuits.
The plenary task requires pupils to complete a word search, once the words have been found they should write a definition of each of them
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 calculations’ SoW, specifically designed for higher tier ‘chemistry only’ students.
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 video on atom economy, pupils will answer a set of questions whilst watching the video which can be assessed using the answers provided.
Pupils will then be taken through a worked example, step-by-step, to show how you are able to calculate atom economy once you know the desired product of a given reaction. Pupils will then need to use this worked example to come up with their own step-by-step checklist of tasks which need to be completed to work out the atom economy of a reaction. This can be checked against a list provided on the following PowerPoint slide.
Pupils will then be given a list of questions on atom economy, they will need to show their working for each of the problems. Once the task has been completed pupils can check their work against the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
The next task is an exam-style question on atom economy, pupils should complete this in their books (and on their own, in silence for those higher ability classes), once complete this can be assessed against the mark scheme.
The last task is for pupils to come up with five exam questions on atom economy, including a mark scheme for each question.
The plenary task is for pupils to complete one of the example sentences, e.g. ‘I have understood this…’, ‘I still don’t understand…’.
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 ‘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
The lesson begins with a recap on the differences between elements, compound and mixture, pupils complete a task and self-assess their work. Pupils are then introduced to the idea of covalent bonding and ionic bonding as two forms of bonding and are reminded how to draw the electronic configuration of an atom, including a reminder of the rules around filling energy shells.
Pupils will now watch a video on the formation of ions, whilst watching the video pupils will answer a set of questions and when finished pupils can assess their work using the answers provided in the PowerPoint. Next, pupils will be shown how to draw diagrams to demonstrate the formation of positive and negative ions, they can draw examples in their books for future reference. To assess their knowledge of this topic pupils will complete a set of questions including drawing a diagram to demonstrate the formation of an ionic bond between lithium and fluorine, this can then be self or peer assessed using the answers provided.
The last task is for pupils to use their periodic table to draw the electronic structure of the ions formed from a potassium, oxygen, magnesium and calcium atom. This work will then be assessed using the answers provided.
The plenary involves pupils picking a task, wither write a twitter message about what they have learnt or write a set of quiz questions to test peers on what they have learnt in 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 lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 C3 ’Reactions’.
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 a recap on the differences between elements, compounds and mixtures. Students will be given a set of diagrams and will need to decide which is which, they could write their answers down in their books or use mini white boards and complete as a class. The answers can then be revealed using the mark scheme provided and students can check their answers.
Students are then given an explanation of what happens to substances during a chemical reaction, atoms rearrange and new bonds form new substances with different properties. The example of iron sulphide is used, a demonstration could also be carried out to show that iron (in a mixture of iron and sulphur) is magnetic before it is heated. Once iron and sulphur are heated to form iron sulphide, the magnetic properties are now lost.
Students are now shown the basis of a word equation and the difference between reactants and products. They will then be given two word equations and will need to determine which are the reactants and which are the products, the answers will then be revealed. They will then be given four more reactions, students will need to identify the reactants and products of these reactions. Students can then self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Students will now try writing their own word equations using a description provided, students will need to complete a worksheet of these tasks. The answers to these questions are included in the PowerPoint for students to self-assess their work.
Lastly, students will complete an investigation to observe what happens during three chemical reactions. Students will be given the practical worksheet, they can complete the investigation as a group and note down their observations from the reactions. Once the investigation is complete, students will then need to match the reactants from the reactions they carried out with the correct products. This work can then be marked and corrected using the answers provided.
The plenary task requires students to write a twitter message summarising what they have learned today, students should #keywords!
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 C1.2 ’Elements, Atoms & Compounds’.
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
The lesson begins with a definition of the term ‘element’, giving gold as an example. Students are then asked to name as many elements as they can in pairs, and then feed back to the class. This work can be marked using the answers, and other examples, provided on the PowerPoint.
Students will now watch a video on atoms and elements, whilst watching the video students will answer a set of questions. Once this task has been completed, students can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Next, students are introduced to the definition of an ‘atom’, students are provided with a particle diagram to help depict the definition.
Next, students are introduced to the Periodic Table, students can stick their own Periodic Table into their books Next, they will use the Periodic Table to complete a worksheet, once this task has been completed the work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The last task is a ‘progress’ check, students will copy and complete a set of questions in their books, this work can be marked and corrected using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary activity requires students to write three sentences to summarise 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 lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 C1.2 ’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 lesson begins with a video on elements & compounds, students will answer a set of questions whilst watching the video. This work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Next, students are given a set of diagrams which depict either elements or compounds. Students need to identify whether the picture is of an element or compound, then write an explanation for their choice. This task can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Next, students are given a set of two diagrams - one is of a mixture and the other is of a compound. Students are asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas on which is a mixture and which is a compound, giving an explanation for their answer. Students can feed their ideas back to a class discussion, before the definition for a mixture vs. a compound is revealed using the PowerPoint presentation. Students are then asked to copy and complete a set of sentences to summarise the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds. This work can be marked and corrected using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Next, students are asked to complete an investigation looking at the properties of a mixture of iron and sulphur before and after it is heated. Before it is hated, students should identify that iron and sulphur is a mixture, with iron showing magnetic properties. Then, the mixture is heated and students are asked to decide whether it is now a mixture or a compound, they will also need to test the magnetic properties of this substance to see whether it has changed.
The plenary task is an exit card, students are asked to write down three things they have learned this lesson, five key words and 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 lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the C2 1.4 unit on ‘The Earth’.
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
The lesson begins with a recap on what students should have learned in the last three lessons, students will watch a video and will need to answer a set of questions whilst watching. This task can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided once it is complete.
Students will then be provided with a poster depicting the rock cycle and a set of statements, they will need to match the numbered stages on the poster to the correct statements. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess or peer-assess their work once it is complete.
The next activity requires students to copy and complete a paragraph of information, using the key words which are provided. Once students have finished this task they can mark and correct it, using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, a true or false activity - students will stand up if they believe the statement is true and stay sat down if they believe it to be false. The answers to this task are revealed as you work your way through the activity.
The plenary activity requires students to write a tweet demonstrating what they have learned 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 lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Organic Chemistry’ SoW.
Firstly, students asked to think about a question that oil companies face - what to do with longer chain hydrocarbons which are in less demand than smaller chain hydrcarbons? Pupils can share their ideas in pairs, then as a class, before being introduced to the process of cracking.
Next, as a recap of the structure of alkanes pupils will need to use ‘Molymod’ kits to make the first four alkanes in the homologous series, they will also need to complete a table to identify the structural & displayed formulae for each. This work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Now pupils are introduced to the process and products of cracking, students will then be given a set of hydrocarbons which are being ‘cracked’ with one of the products identified, they will need to identify the other product and also determine if it would be an alkane or an alkene. Once complete, this work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the structure and properties of alkenes, students will firstly be given a set of facts about alkenes which they can take notes from. Next, students will watch a video about alkenes, they will be provided with a set of questions that they need to answer using this video. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided. Using what they have learned in this video, the teacher will conduct a demonstration which tests four unknown substances with bromine water - pupils will need to record their results in a table and determine whether the unknown substances are alkenes or alkanes.
Pupils will lastly complete a ‘Quick Check’ task, this is a set of questions which will summarise what pupils have learned during the lesson. They will be able to peer or self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to sum up what they have learned this lesson in three sentences, using the list of key words provided.
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 is a homeschool pack designed for the KS3 Year 7 Science course, specifically the ‘C1.4 Acids & Akalis’ unit of work.
For more lessons & homeschool packs designed for KS3 and KS4, please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This comprehensive pack contains four pages of information, to meet learning objectives within the Year 7 ‘Acids & Alkalis’ unit of work. This is followed by three pages of questions, differentiated to suit a range of abilities, as well as a detailed mark scheme for students/parents to mark and correct answers.
The pack covers the following topics:
Acids & Alkalis
Indicators and pH
Neutralisation
Making Salts
Thanks for looking :), if you have any questions please email me at swift.education.uk@gmail.com.
This is a homeschool pack designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the ‘C2.3 The Earth’ unit of work.
For more lessons & homeschool packs designed for KS3 and KS4, please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This comprehensive pack contains four pages of information, to meet learning objectives within the Year 8 'The Earth unit of work. This is followed by three pages of questions, differentiated to suit a range of abilities, as well as a detailed mark scheme for students/parents to mark and correct answers.
The pack covers the following topics:
The Earth & its early atmosphere
Sedimentary rocks
Igneous & metamorphic rocks
The Rock Cycle
The Carbon cycle
Climate change
Recycling
Thanks for looking :), if you have any questions please email me at swift.education.uk@gmail.com.
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 recap on what was learnt last lesson, pupils will answer questions whilst watching a video about atoms, elements and chemical symbols. Next, pupils will be introduced to compound naming rules based upon the elements within that compound, pupils will then use these rules to complete a worksheet. Once finished the worksheet can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on equations, pupils are firstly introduced to the idea of reactants and products of a chemical reaction. Given a worked example students look at how to write a word equation, once they have practise this they can complete their own word equations. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The final activity is an exam-style question, pupils should complete this on their own in silence and be given 7 minutes as it is 7 marks. Once finished they can self or peer-assess their work.
The plenary activity is for students to write a twitter message about what they have learnt that lesson.
The plenary task is a set of questions about what students have learnt that 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 AQA GCSE Chemistry.
Included in this resource is a ‘revision placemat’ for Structure and Bonding. Topics include ionic bonding, chloride and sodium ion diagrams, and covalent bonds. Pupils will also practise dot and cross diagrams, and define metallic, ionic, and covalent structures. There are 12 revision questions in total.
Pupils may use their books if necessary but should test their knowledge by attempting to answer all questions from memory first.
The solution for this activity is also included so you can check their answers, or they may self-assess.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
For more resources designed to meet specification points for the AQA GCSE specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Atomic Structure & Periodic Table’ 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 'Atomic Structure & Periodic Table’ 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 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 task is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Organic 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 'Organic 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 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 'Structure & Bonding’ 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 '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 :)