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 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 :)
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 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
The lesson begins with a video on the greenhouse effect, pupils will be supplied with some questions to answer whilst watching the video. Once complete this task can then be self-assessed using the answers provided. Pupils will then need to be required to complete a diagram of the greenhouse effect by adding in statements to the correct boxes, this work can also be self-assessed using the mark scheme.
Pupils will now think about the factors which have contributed to the rise in carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Firstly they will need to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas of why there has been a sharp increase in CO2 over the last 100 years or so, pupils will then share their ideas with the class and some of the factors can be revaled via the PowerPoint presentation.
Pupils will now be given some information on models of global warming, using this information they will need to complete a worksheet. This task can be self/peer assessed using the answers provided on the PowerPoint. The last task is an exam-style question on the topic of the greenhouse effect, again students can self assess their work using the mark scheme.
The plenary task requires pupils to summarise what they have learned this lesson in three sentences.
All resources are included within the PowerPoint presentation, if you have any questions please email me at swift.education.uk@gmail.com. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks!
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 '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 'Rates of Reaction’ 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 lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Rates of Reaction’ 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 ‘Think > Pair > Share’ task whereby students need to consider what it means for a reaction to be in ‘equilibrium’ . After a class discussion, the definition of a reversible reaction (in a closed system) to be at equilibrium is revealed to the class, which they can note down in their books.
This is further explained using a set of diagrams to depict what happens to the concentration of reactants and products during the course of a reversible reaction. Students can sketch a graph into their book to show how the equilibrium of a reversible reaction is reached.
The next task focuses on ‘Le Chatelier’s Principle’, students are firstly introduced to the idea that the equilibrium of a reversible reaction can be altered by changing the conditions of that reaction, i.e. an increase in temperature. Students will then be shown a set of demonstrations (video links included) for each they will need to note down their observations, identify the conditions which are changing and match the correct reaction to the correct word equation. Pupils will complete a worksheet for this task, which will be assessed using the mark scheme provided.
For the next part of the lesson, students will watch a video on the effect of pressure on equilibrium and answer a set of questions. These questions can be self-assessed using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Students will now ‘Think > Pair > Share’ the effect of an increase in temperature on the equilibrium of a reversible reaction, the answer is then revealed to pupils using an example. Pupils will now complete a ‘Quick Check’ task where they will be required to answer a set of questions about the reversible reactions and the effect of altering conditions on dynamic equilibrium. Pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
Finally, students will need to complete a summary sheet on the effect of pressure and temperature on the equilibrium of a reversible reactions, students can self assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary task requires pupils to write down three sentences to summarise what they have learnt in today’s 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 Year 7 C1 'Particles & Their Behaviour’ Unit.
Lessons include:
The Particle Model & Changes of State
Melting & Freezing
Boiling
More Changes of State
Diffusion
Gas Pressure
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 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 '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 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 starts with a set of questions on ionic compounds, pupils will watch a video and answer these questions. Then pupils will be shown a diagram to demonstrate the structure of a giant ionic compound and will be given a set of melting points for a range of ionic compounds, pupils will need to think > pair > share why they think the melting points of ionic compounds are so high. Once students have considered this, a class discussion can reveal some of the students ideas before the presentation moves on and explains why ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. Students are now given a place-mat of questions, using information from the lesson so far they will need to complete part of it, for lower-ability students they may need extra support such as a text book to help them answer the questions. Once complete pupils can assess their work using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on electrolysis using ionic compounds, students are shown that only ionic compounds that are molten or dissolved in water are able to conduct electricity. The process of electrolysis is demonstrated to students using an animation . Pupils are then asked to thin > pair > share their ideas on why ionic compounds that are solid cannot conduct electricity. Once some ideas have been discuss as a class, the answer can be revealed on the PowerPoint presentation. Pupils will now complete the remainder of their questions on their place-mat and mark them using the answers provided.
Pupils will now be given a set of ions and will need to decide whether they will be found at the positive or negative electrode, this activity can be done as a whole class by pupils holding up answers using whiteboards or in their books. Once completed students can assess their work using the answers provided. The last activity is for pupils to complete a cartoon strip to demonstrate what happens to molten potassium fluoride when it is used to conduct electricity. Part of the cartoon strip is filled in already, pupils just need to add in either diagrams or descriptions, this can also be assessed once complete.
The plenary task is a set of answers, pupils need to come up with a set of questions for these answers.
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 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 an introduction into the sub-atomic particles that make up an atom, pupils will need to fill in a diagram and statements to describe the position of each of these particles. Pupils will then be shown the charges and relative mass of each of these particles for a couple of minutes during a 'memory test' activity, they will then try and copy the information down into their books from memory.
Next is a mid-lesson progress check where pupils will need to answer questions off the board in pairs.
In the next half of the lesson pupils are introduced to the idea of atomic and mass numbers, they are firstly asked to use their periodic table to identify the atomic and mass numbers of certain elements. This work is self-assessed and then pupils are asked to think about how the number of neutrons could be calculated, once revealed pupils are then given a large table to complete to identify the atomic number mass number, plus the number of protons, neutrons & electrons for the first 20 elements.
The plenary task is an exit card where pupils can identify the areas in which they feel confident with this topic and those areas they feel they need more practise with.
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 ‘Rates of Reaction’ 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 ‘Think, Pair, Share’ task to get students thinking about what the rate of a reaction tells us about that chemical reaction. After a short partner and class discussion, the answer can be revealed to the class via the PowerPoint slide. This is followed by a task whereby students need to place a mixture of chemical reactions in order of their speed, getting students to think about which of these reactions might have the fastest rate of reaction.
Students are then introduced to the two ways in which scientists can measure the rate of reaction - how much product formed/how much reactant is used up over a given time. Students will be asked to read some information about this topic and then answer questions on it, this work can be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint.
Students will then watch a video on how to calculate the rate of a reaction using a graph, students can self-assess their answers using those provided in the PowerPoint presentation. Students will then practice these skills by plotting a graph using a set of data, which they will then need to use to answer a set of questions, this can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The next video outlines how students can use a graph to a work out the rate of a reaction at a fixed point, students will answer questions whilst watching the video and then self-assess their work using the answers provided. Lastly, students will again practice this skill by plotting a graph using data provided and then will need to use the graph to work out the rate of reaction at different fixed points. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The plenary task is is for pupils to complete one of a choice of sentences starters, which would summarize 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 Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes and electrolysis’ 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
Students are firstly introduced to the idea of a displacement reaction using an example of aluminium and iron oxide, pupils will then be given a list of chemical reactions and for each one students will need to decide whether a displacement reaction will occur.
Students will now conduct an investigation whereby they will place a metal - copper, magnesium, iron and zinc - into copper sulphate solution and observe what happens. Using the results from this investigation, students should decide on the order of reactivity of these metals. Students are now given another list of reactions, for each one students need to now decide if a displacement reaction will take place and if so write out the word equation for each. Students can mark their work using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on oxidation and reduction, firstly students are provided with a definition of these two processes. They are then shown how to write an ionic half equation to demonstrate what is happening what is happening during a displacement reaction, which metal has been oxidised and which has been reduced. Pupils need to complete the ionic half equations for a list of reactions, pupils can assess their work against the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
The last task is a progress check, students need to work their way through a set of questions to assess what they have learnt this lesson. The answers to which are included on the PowerPoint slides forstudents to self-assess or peer-assess their work.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a twitter message about what they learnt this lesson, no more than 140 characters and #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 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 starts with a video on ionic bonding, students need to watch the video and answer a set of questions, once complete pupils can self-assess their work. Pupils are then asked to think > pair > share how the group number relates to the charge on the ions formed from that group. Using the PowerPoint presentation you can then demonstrate the link between group number and number of electrons lost/gained by a specific atom, students can use these rules to help work out the charges on ions formed. To assess their knowledge of this, pupils will be asked to copy and complete a table to identify the number of protons, electron, the electronic configuration of an atom and of the ion of that atom, as well as the ion’s charge. Pupils can self or peer assess their work using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next part of the lesson is for pupils to consider the ionic bond formed in calcium chloride, students will first need to draw the electronic configuration of a calcium and chlorine atom and then looking at the structure try and work out how an ionic bond might form between them. Once pupils have had a go you can reveal the answers using the diagrams and descriptions provided in the PowerPoint presentation, for those pupils who were unable to work it out it may be best for them to copy down the diagram in their books.
Pupils will now be asked to draw diagrams to demonstrate the ionic bonds formed between a set of elements - calcium and oxygen, potassium and chlorine, sodium and oxygen, magnesium and chlorine. Once complete they can assess and correct their work using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The last activity is an exam-style question which pupils can complete in silence, and at the back of their books if it is a higher ability class. When complete the work can be red-pen assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary activity is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt in the lesson in three sentences, using as many of the key words provided 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 ‘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 :)
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 ‘Rates of Reaction’ 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 an introduction to reversible reactions, including the example of thermal decomposition of ammonium chloride.
Pupils will then conduct an investigation into the energy changes which occur during a reversible reaction, using the practical sheet provided students will carry out the experiment and record their results in the table provided. The reversible reaction from this investigation is then shown on the board, with an explanation of the energy changes that are taking place as the reaction moves in either the forward or reverse direction.
Pupils will now watch a video on energy changes which take place during a reversible reaction, using this they will need to answer a set of questions. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
Pupils will now need to complete a ‘Quick Check’ task which includes questions within the module of ‘Rates of Reaction’, students can then self-assess or peer-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Finally, pupils can complete a crossword which summarizes definitions used within the ‘Rates of Reaction’ module, the answers for this are provided for self/peer assessment.
The plenary task required pupils to complete an exit card listing 3 things they have learnt today, 5 key words and 1 question to test their peers knowledge of a subject.
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 :)