I am a secondary science teacher from Plymouth, United Kingdom. I have a passion for designing interactive, engaging and well scaffolded resources that are inclusive for all pupils. I teach all years, from years 7-13. I teach KS3 Activate (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (Biology and Chemistry), AQA GCSE Biology, AQA GCSE Chemistry, and A Level Biology (OCR A).
I am a secondary science teacher from Plymouth, United Kingdom. I have a passion for designing interactive, engaging and well scaffolded resources that are inclusive for all pupils. I teach all years, from years 7-13. I teach KS3 Activate (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (Biology and Chemistry), AQA GCSE Biology, AQA GCSE Chemistry, and A Level Biology (OCR A).
A full 1 hour lesson resource designed for a mixed ability year 12 class studying the OCR Biology A specification.
This is from the unit 4.2.2 Classification and Evolution, from the specification point i) “how evoluton in some species has implicatons for human populatons.”
This lesson resource contains:
A “5 in 5” style retrieval starter
A linked video on how MRSA evolved
Direct instruction on antibiotic resistance (dual coding, reduced cognitive load)
A linked video visually showing the evolution of antibiotic resistance
Checkpoints (MCQs from exams with answers)
A discussion on antiviral resistance in HIV
An application question on drug resistance in malaria from the CGP textbook (with guided self assessment)
An embedded video - a news report on pesticide resistance in bed bugs
A case study on DDT resistance in house flies, with a guided discussion
An exam-style question on pesticide resistance from the CGP textbook (with guided self assessment)
A full 1 hour lesson resource designed for a year 12 Biology class studying the OCR Biology A specification.
This lesson is from the unit 4.2.2 Classication and Evolution , from specification point g “the diferent types of adaptatons of organisms to their environment”
This resource contains:
A retrieval starter
Easy to deliver direct instruction slides on the types of adaptation
A video hook demonstrating each type of adaptation
Hand signal check for understanding
Checkpoint MCQs from exams
A reading comprehension task on adaptations in polar bears, with a guided student task
Easy to deliver direct instruction slides on convergent evolution
A case study on European / Maruspial moles
Exam questions
Guided self assessment
A knowledge organiser based on the AQA GCSE Combined Science topic ‘Chemistry of the Atmosphere’.
This knowledge organiser covers:
Chemistry of the atmosphere - early atmosphere vs. current atmosphere. How did it change over time?
Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect
Sulfur dioxide how it is formed and the problems it causes
Oxides of nitrogen how it is formed and the problems it causes
Carbon monoxide how it is formed and the problems it causes
Particulate carbon how it is formed and the problems it causes
Acid rain
An A3 knowledge organiser on the Organic Chemistry topic from the AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus.
Also suitable for AQA GCSE Chemistry, although does not include the ‘more organic chemistry’ topic.
The knowledge organiser includes information on:
The structure and formula of alkanes
The structure and formula of alkenes
Tests for alkenes
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
Incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Trends in the properties of hydrocarbons
Fractional distillation
Cracking
A PowerPoint presentation (1 hour) designed for a higher ability year 8 class.
Mainly focuses on the different adaptations of wind-pollinated vs. insect-pollinated flowers.
Resource also contains a differentiated reading comprehension task on fertilisation in flowers.
This resource contains:
5-in-5 style retrieval starter
Lesson hook
Class discussion on pollen grains
Embedded video on insect pollination
Direct instruction slides on insect pollination / wind pollination
A 5-question quiz as a CFU
An independent writing task comparing insect and wind pollination, with model paragraphs for self assessment
A reading comprehension task - differentiated (colour coded or not)
Comprehension questions based on reading task - differentiated (colour coded or not) - followed by answers.
A plenary task
A PowerPoint lesson resource on the structure and properties of graphene and fullerenes (Buckminsterfullerene and carbon nanotubes).
This resource was a designed for a bottom set year 9 class, so is highly scaffolded. Scaffolds can be removed to suit all sets / abilities.
This resource contains:
A “5 in 5” retrieval style starter on giant covalent molecules and bonding
Direct instruction on graphene
A series of checkpoints (multipe choice quizzes, cold call questions, quick written tasks) based on short exam questions on graphene
An independent written exam question on the properties of graphene, with optional scaffold
Guided self assessment / model answers
An embedded video on buckyballs
Direct instruction slides on fullerenes (Buckminsterfullerene and carbon nanotubes)
A series of checkpoints (multipe choice quizzes, cold call questions, quick written tasks) based on short exam questions on fullerenes
An independent written exam question on the properties of fullerenes, with optional scaffold
Guided self assessment / model answers
A plenary task (6 mark exam question with answers)
This resource was designed for a top set year 8 class studying an electricity topic.
This resource requires the following practical equipment:
One large rope for demo
Power packs
Crocodile clips
Wires
Bulbs
Ammeters
Resistors
This PowerPoint resource contains:
A “5 in 5” retrieval style starter on current, potential difference and insulators
A retrieval practice task on giving definitions for key terms (current, potential difference, ammeter, voltmeter, electrons)
Direct instruction on resistance with dual coding
A hand signals quiz to check for understanding
A simple ‘fill in the blanks’ task with delayed key word bank
A rope model demo for current and resistance
A discussion task about the model - what did each person represent?
A practical activity on the effect of resistors on current in a circuit (results table provided as print out)
A plenary task (writing a conclusion for the investigation)
This lesson resource was designed for a lower attaining year 10 class studying AQA GCSE Combined Science.
This is a full 1 hour lesson.
This PowerPoint contains:
A “5 in 5” retrieval style starter
A lesson hook
Direct instruction on Lamarck’s theory
Direct instruction on Darwin’s theory of natural selection
A teacher model showing natural selection in flowers
A guided activity where students assess written responses to an exam question on natural selection in Arctic hares using a mark scheme
An independent exam question on natural selection in giraffes, with guided self assessment
Direct instruction on antibiotic resistance
A deliberate practice task on antibiotic resistance and how it develops, with guided self assessment
A written plenary task (an exam question with a mark scheme)
This 1 hour lesson covers the following topics:
Causes of extinction
Evidence for extinction
The fossil record
The formation of fossils
This is designed with the GCSE AQA Combined Science specification in mind (and includes exam questions from this syllabus), but this should be fairly transferable.
This resource is a fully planned lesson with engaging lesson hooks, an embedded video, exam questions and scaffolded mark schemes, multiple choice quizzes, and a board game for students to play as a group.
Suitable for a KS3 or KS4 science lesson on extinction.
A board game for 2-4 players.
Contains a playing board with rules and instructions.
You will need dice for each group, plus counters (I get mine to use pen lids or rubbers).
Students will pretend to be a species and try to make it to the finish square without going extinct!
Students will need to read the tiles on the board and respond accordingly.
Along the way, students should learn about some common causes of extinction, as well as about adaptation and natural selection.
A good extension or homework task is to ask students to design their own board game titled ‘extinction’.
Designed for students studying the AQA GCSE Chemistry syllabus, although also suitable for AQA GCSE Combined Science students.
This is an A3 Knowledge Organiser which details the following:
How to read a periodic table
What a ‘group’ tells us in the periodic table
Atomic structure
Position of alkali metals, halogens, noble gases and transition metals in the periodic table
Trends in reactivity of alkali metals
Trends in reactivity of halogens
Why noble gases are inert
Physical and chemical properties of transition metals
This lesson was designed for a lower ability year 10 class studying the AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus.
This is a full 1 hour lesson which contains:
A 5-in-5 retrieval style starter
A discussion and video as a lesson hook
Direct instruction slides on selective breeding
Guided student discussions with feedback
A visual, step-by-step instruction of selectively breeding flowers
A ‘teacher model’ slide which models how to answer exam questions on selective breeding
Written exam questions (with scaffolds) for students to complete independently
A printout for students to respond to exam questions on
A written plenary task (exam question) with feedback
This lesson was designed for a lower ability year 10 class studying the AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus.
This lesson covers:
Extinction - what is it? What are the major causes of extinction?
Fossil evidence for extinction
Fossil formation - how are fossils formed?
This is a full 1 hour lesson and contains:
A 5-in-5 style retrieval starter
A careers link
A lesson hook
An embedded video
Exam questions with modeled answers
A simple board game for students to play (you will need dice)
Discussions
A variety of checkpoints (multiple choice, hand signals)
A plenary task
This lesson was designed for a lower ability year 10 class studying the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification.
This lesson covers:
What is variation?
What is the difference between continuous and discontinuous variation?
What are examples of continuous and discontinuous variation?
Which examples of variation are controlled by genetic or environmental factors?
This is a full 1 hour lesson resource which contains:
A 5-in-5 retrieval style starter
A lesson hook
Direct instruction slides (low cognitive load, dual coding)
Guided student discussions
Teacher models
Frequent checkpoints (quizzes, multiple choice hand signals)
A Venn diagram with answers
Written student responses
Modeled answers
A student group activity
A written plenary task
A game of ‘grudge ball’.
21 multiple choice questions (3 rounds) with answers. Contains rules slide.
This was designed for a KS3 class (top set year 8), but could be suitable for lower ability KS4.
Contains questions on:
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration
Fermentation
Tendons, ligaments and cartilage
Antagonistic muscles
The skeleton
Rules
There are 7 teams.
Every team starts with 6 points.
Each team takes in turns answering a multiple choice question.
A correct answer is worth 2 points.
A correct answer means a team member can try to land the ball in the basket.
A goal is worth 1 extra point.
This lesson was designed for a lower ability year 10 class studying the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification.
This lesson covers the Linnaean classification system, the binomial naming system, and the three-domain system of classification.
This is a full 1 hour lesson which contains:
A 5-in-5 retrieval style starter
A lesson hook
Direct instruction slides on classification
An embedded video (catchy song!)
Guided student discussions
Plenty of checkpoints (e.g. multiple choice hand signal questions)
Visual teacher-led models
Student written tasks
Exam questions with scaffolds, and modeled answers
A written plenary
A full 1 hour lesson on food chains designed for a higher ability year 7 class.
This could be taught to any KS3 class, of any ability, with minor tweaks.
This lesson contains:
A 5-in-5 retrieval style starter
An embedded video clip from Zootopia
A retrieval practice from primary school - matching key terms e.g. predator/prey to their definitions
A directed student discussion on food chains
Direct instruction slides on food chains
Checkpoints
Student independent tasks writing simple food chains
Direct instruction on trophic levels
A true or false quiz on food chains and trophic levels
An independent task with a printable worksheet - drawing a food chain and naming the trophic levels
A whiteboard quiz
A written plenary task
A full 1 hour KS3 lesson on current in series and parallel circuits.
This lesson was designed for a top set year 8 class, but could be easily adapted for another KS3 class of lower or mixed ability.
This lesson involves a short practical task (could be removed if you wished). For this practical each group will need 1 cell or power pack, 1 ammeter, 2 lamps, 5 wires.
This lesson contains:
A 5-in-5 retrieval starter
Retrieval practice hand signals quiz on circuit symbols
Retrieval practice written quiz on series vs. parallel circuits
Direct instruction on the rules for current in series and parallel circuits, including models
Checkpoints (for cold calling)
An independent worksheet to apply the rules on current in series / parallel circuits
Modeled answers
Practical activity with broken down instructions
Written plenary
A full hour lesson designed for year 7 as part of an ‘introduction to science’ unit, teaching key science skills to new students in KS3.
This full hour lesson resource contains:
A ‘5 in 5’ style retrieval starter recapping key concepts from primary school
A slide on expectations in science lessons
An activity spotting lab safety issues from an image, with answers (can be printed if preferred)
An embedded music video
An introduction into hazard symbols
A hand signal quiz on hazard symbols
An independent task on hazard symbols, with answer slide
A written plenary task
A bundle of lessons on the ‘classification and evolution’ topic, from the AQA GCSE Combined Science specification.
These lessons were specifically designed for a lower ability year 10 class, but would be suitable for any KS4 group with some minor tweaking.
All lessons include:
A 5-in-5 retrieval starter
A lesson hook and/or additional retrieval practice
Very clear direct instruction slides (low cognitive load, dual coding)
Checks for understanding (quizzes, hand signals, cold call questions)
Teacher modeling
Guided discussions
Independent tasks with modeled answers
Exam questions with mark schemes and/or modeled answers
A written plenary