This resource introduces the Darwin and Wallace, their research and the theory of evolution. Included within the resource are a few links to videos that I find useful for introducing the theory and also opens discussion on the relationship between the two scientists. It invites students to consider whether Darwin cheated Wallace out of his rightful place in history, a question that often leads to great class discussions.

This resources is best used after a lesson, or series of lessons, on fossils and how they provide evidence for evolution. This resource provides a visual aid for introducing some of the other forms of evidence for evolution and invites students to create a presentation to deliver to the class on one piece of evidence. The resource concludes with a big question that can be answered in class or as a longer homework assignment.

This PowerPoint resource helps students label and use the light microscope. I usually print off the second slide in advance of the lesson to use as a worksheet for students to complete. The worksheet instructs students to label a light microscope using the information available. The PowerPoint resource includes a quick quiz to test student knowledge and instructions on how to use a light microscope.

This graph drawing resource functions as both a checklist and marking framework for students. At the start of my graph drawing activity, I hand students a copy of the marking framework and remind the students how to draw a scientific graph. Students then use the checklist as they draw their graphs to ensure they have included everything they need for full marks. Students then either hand in their graphs or swap graphs with their peers and the marking framework is used to give students a grade for their graphs.

This resource introduces natural selection and three key examples of rapid changes in species brought about by evolution: bacterial resistance to antibiotics, pesticide resistance in insects, and the peppered moth before, during and after the industrial revolution. I use the first slide to introduce the process of natural selection. I then use an incredibly useful resource, available for download from TES on “sticky dogs”, which I get the class to evaluate. I then introduce the peppered moth example, before getting the students to complete the 6 mark past paper question to time. We go through the mark scheme to this question together before I introduce bacterial resistance and pesticide resistance. The students then complete the tasks set on the final slide.

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.

The following resource provides a helpful scaffold for students when designing, completing, recording, analysing and evaluating science experiments. I change the image and question on the first slide, depending on the experiment I plan on carrying out with my class. The second and third slides remain the same every time. This resource is adaptable, easy to use, and appropriate for KS3 and KS4 students.

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 fun, creative and easy-to-use resource introduces the equation for density and includes practice questions for students to answer. It also includes a useful visual to help students understand why some objects float whilst others sink and invites students to carry out their own research on Archimedes.

This resource introduces the structure of the heart and double circulatory system. The second slide can be used both to introduce the different parts of the heart or as an assessment-for-learning activity at the end of the lesson. The third slide includes a worksheet that can be printed off and handed out to the students, for them to complete before the heart dissection. I usually project the fourth slide during the heart dissection to help students identify the different parts of the heart as they carry out their dissections. If there is time at the end of the lesson, I introduce the double circulatory system via an active learning activity, where students circulate around the classroom, holding either blue or red counters to represent deoxygenated and oxygenated red blood cells.

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.

This resource is ideal for a first lesson on the topic of disease. The first slide includes a series of questions for students to discuss about diseases. The second slide introduces the six different types of pathogens. Students can then copy and complete the table on the third slide, about the structure and modes of reproduction, using the remaining slides on the powerpoint, their textbooks and/or the internet. The fill-in-the-blanks worksheet can be used alongside the powerpoint resource and includes examples of diseases caused by bacteria, virus’s and fungi.

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.

These resources are designed to help students understand the stages of protein synthesis including transcription and translation, including the role of mRNA, ribosomes, tRNA, codons and anticodons. The PowerPoint includes a series of useful links to youtube videos on the topic, as well as a past paper question and mark scheme.

This high quality and easy-to-use resource on ‘measuring lung volume’ is specifically designed for students studying OCR A-Level Biology. It includes information about the relationship between vital capacity, tidal volume, breathing rate and oxygen uptake. 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. 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.

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.

This high quality and easy-to-use resource on ‘transport in animals’ is specifically designed for students studying OCR A-Level Biology. It includes information about the need for transport systems in multicellular animals and the different types of circulatory systems. Students should begin by watching my video tutorial on this topic, which is freely available via my YouTube channel: BiologyWithNewhouse. I have included a link to the 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.