This engaging and easy to use resource provides a useful visual aid for introducing the changes that occur in lungs during during inhalation and exhalation, how lung volume can be measured and the factors that effect it. If you have a bell jar model of the lungs available to you, then the lesson is supported well with a demonstration.

Worksheets and model answer sheets covering OCR Biology A 3.1.1 Exchange surfaces © the structures and functions of the components of the mammalian gaseous exchange system.

Worksheets and model answer sheets covering OCR Biology A 3.1.1 Exchange surfaces: © the structures and functions of the components of the mammalian gaseous exchange system. (d) the mechanism of ventilation in mammals

PowerPoint, worksheet and model answer sheet covering OCR Biology A 3.1.1 Exchange surfaces (f) the mechanisms of ventilation and gas exchange in bony fish and insects

PowerPoint, worksheet and model answer sheet covering OCR Biology A 2.1.5 Biological membranes (d) (i) the movement of molecules across membranes - Active Transport

PowerPoint, worksheet and model answer sheet covering OCR Biology A 5.2.1 Photosynthesis (b) the structure of a chloroplast and the sites of the two main stages of photosynthesis

This resource introduces the limiting factors and the factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis. Students describe and explain a series of graphs before discussing why greenhouses are used to optimise conditions for photosynthesis.

This resource introduces negative feedback in the context of the endocrine system, using the example of thyroxine and the thyroid gland.

This resource introduces a series of experiments relating to the reactants and products of photosynthesis. The experiments provide evidence that carbon dioxide, chlorophyll and sunlight are required for photosynthesis to occur, and that oxygen and glucose are produced.

This resource covers the control of blood sugar and what happens if you are unable to produce enough insulin. It includes useful links to animations on blood glucose control and questions for students to answer.

This resource introduces the water cycle, the key terms relating to the water cycle, and how polluted water effects the water cycle. The resource includes activities for the students to complete, for example students describe the journey of a water molecule from a river high in the mountains, through the atmosphere and eventually back to the starting point. The resource also includes an experiment that students could complete to investigating the effect of pollution (acid rain) on seed germination.

This provides a useful visual resource, with written summaries, of the main stages in transcription and translation. I use it with my lower ability students who benefit from visual stimuli, as it goes through the processes step by step.

This resource provides a useful and easy to use visual for introducing Mendelian Genetics and Punnet Squares. It includes useful links to videos and a key word list. I begin the lesson by introducing some of the subject specific terms, such as dominant and recessive traits, genotype and phenotype, and homozygosity and heterozgosity. I then briefly introduce Mendel and punnet squares before handing over to the students to complete a few activities on the topic.

This two slide PowerPoint resource provides a simple and easy to use stimulus for a lesson on reducing our carbon footprints. It includes a couple of useful web links and encourages students to complete their own carbon footprint reduction plan.

This creative, fun and easy-to-use resource introduces the process of diffusion. It includes a fun starter and plenary, useful video link and framework for a simple diffusion experiment.

This lesson guides students through the body’s three main lines of defence again disease. Students begin by considering and discussing what the immune system is and why it is useful. Students then look at the difference between physical and chemical barriers to infection before learning about the process of phagocytosis. Students are introduced the B and T cells, before creating an artistic piece about a pathogen trying to avoid each of the body’s defences.

This lesson introduces students to the science of taxonomy and encourages them to consider why and how we classify living things. The resource includes a fun practical activity that invites students to classify a selection of food items into groups, based on their similarities and differences. Depending on how much time you have available, I then challenge my students to work in groups of five to complete the five kingdoms comparison table on their worksheet. If they finish early, or as a homework activity, I then invite my students to make a set of five top trump cards, one for each of the kingdoms.

These resources are perfect for an introductory lesson on the organisation of multicellular organisms. At the start of the lesson, students are provided with a printed out version of the worksheet. As a starter activity, students label the human body with as many organs as they can. To stretch the top students, I ask them to describe the structure and function of any organs they have named. The PowerPoint resources can be used as a visual stimulus throughout the lesson, to guide students on which activity they should be focusing on. The PowerPoint also includes the answers to the activities on the worksheet. Included within this resource is also a research task which works well as a homework activity.

The objective of this lesson is to help students understand what is meant by the term ‘balanced diet’ and how energy requirements vary with activity levels, age and pregnancy. This lesson builds upon prior knowledge that a balanced diet should include appropriate proportions of carbohydrate, protein, lipid, vitamins, minerals, water and dietary fibre. Students begin by critiquing BMI as a indication of healthy body mass before considering how and why energy requirements vary from person to person. The lesson encourages students to consider what happens if they don’t get the right amount of the right nutrients, and includes a possible homework activity, to design a TV advert on behalf of the government to encourage young people to eat a balanced diet.

This high quality and easy-to-use resource on ‘gas exchange in other organisms’ is specifically designed for students studying OCR A-Level Biology. It includes information about the mechanisms of ventilation and gas exchange in bony fish and insects. Students should begin by watching my video tutorial, which is freely available on my YouTube channel: BiologyWithNewhouse - I have included a link to my video tutorial in the activity sheet. Students should then use information from the video tutorial to help them complete the activity sheet. This can be done entirely independently, as a flip-learning exercise, or with teacher support.