This is a compendium of practical work that works to show all aspects of photosynthesis. It includes some results data that students can analyse. There is nothing startlingly new, ( although there is one practical - fluorescence that I used for the first time this year!), but it is useful as it brings ideas together. It is ideal for non-specialists and teachers new to teaching biology and maybe even for some more experienced teachers looking for different angles. There are a few pages here, as it is a distilled version of over 30 years experience so there is a useful page index. I would appreciate some feedback please.

This is a worksheet for students to analyse data from Van Helmont’s investigation. It can be used as an introduction to photosynthesis or as an exercise in understanding the scientific method. The unique feature of this is information is given from the original writings and teachers have found this gives an extra stretch and challenge to the problems set. More questions than those given can be added. Could be useful for KS3 or KS4. I have just added a link to a video which gives the background to his investigation and has notes on the video from the Science and Plants for Schools website.

A whole lesson resource. These practicals give a different take to the usual practical investigations and links to real experimental work going on in space! A starter grabs the attention with a stunning picture of a plant grown on the ISS. There are worksheets for the students and questions on the power point. Additional easier worksheet for some students. Suitable for KS4 Trilogy or Triple Biology.

This is a great enzyme practical as it is colourful and works very well! The resource is ideal for new teachers or teachers for whom Biology is not their main subject. It provides a worksheet with instructions for the practical work, a power point with diagrams and background information and worksheets with questions and extension questions about the practical. Answers to the questions on the worksheet are provided in the power point. There are differentiation opportunities in this resource.

This resource enables students to make models and then evaluate them. It is an interesting way to teach/review this topic and the students get very engaged. The students evaluate each other's work and in this way review their knowledge twice over. You can use this resource to either teach this topic with the power point and worksheets provided and then review it which would take about 2 lessons or use this as a revision session which is one lesson. Many schools are using DIRT (dedicated, improvement, reflection time.) and this lesson(s) exemplify this.

This is an new part to the Science and Biology new GCSEs. I have successfully used it to help teach BTEC Applied Science, Unit 1 , B1 structure and function of cells and tissues, where students have to calculate the size of cells or parts of cells. It is also useful revision for AS and A level. These worksheets allow students to practice measuring real microscope images and then working out actual sizes and magnifications. Useful for classwork and/or homework. There are answer sheets which allow students to assess their own work.

Knowing how to make slides and how to use a microscope is essential information needed for the new GCSE Science/Biology. This resource has instructions and assessment criteria for a peer-assessed practical. Reduces marking time and allows students to practise this core practical in a directed way. Answers to the short written test are included. Clearly indicates areas for improvement to the students and to you. I have used this very successfully with several classes of varying abilities. Resource includes,: Practical instructions for the student. Assessment criteria. Lesson plan. Written test. Power point slide with pictures for guidance and answers to the written test.

This has back-up materials for the required practical (AQA GCSE) on measuring the rate of photosynthesis. Ideal for non-specialists in Biology and for newly qualified teachers. It contains tips on how to get good results and results of a practical in case your class does not get any data. There are differentiated worksheets which ask about rate of reaction - as this is a requirement now at GCSE.

Here are two lessons of resources for the new science GCSE ( 2016) unit on Health and Disease. Written for the AQA scheme but will apply to other boards. Initially there are pictures to provoke thoughts about health and what health means.There is a differentiated literacy activity on different types of disease. It also contains a practical activity illustrating how diseases are communicated, which can be extended to allow students to analyse the data collected and develop mathematical skills. Finally there is some information and there are differentiated activities about the interactions between diseases. The resource contains a power point and accompanying lesson plan. There are instructions for the practical simulation and a worksheet about types of disease.

This is a great way to teach respiration. Colourful and thought-provoking.

This could be used as a starter for a lesson on adaptations or just as a general biology "thinking" starter. I will use it for my Year 12s who have just done stem and leaf structure. There are suggested questions and some background about the cabbage white caterpillars on the power point. Further details available at http://wilsonevescience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/adaptations-caterpillars.html

Data interpretation questions about rise in heart rate before and after a roller coaster ride.

For Nuffield-Salters Edxcel A level Biology Topic 6. Power point has questions on it to help students review their work.\nCovers the symptoms and progression of the disease.

Innovative and fun way for students to show their knowledge of antigens, antibodies and phagocytosis. Students use i-pads to make a film. More description of activity and a short video of one of the results are in the blog. Was a great success!

This power-point contains information and questions to revise about two-thirds of topic 4. It follows the checklist for Topic 4 and is unfinished. I will try to get it finished and put the rest of it up - but it should be useful for most of topic 4 if anyone wishes to try it

This was used with a low-ability Yr 10 group for GCSE work. Could be adapted for other groups/KS3. Also useful for assessing ability to analyse scientific results.

Go to the blog link for some photos of how leaf angle changes during the day. can be used to stimulate discussion as to why?

This was written as a leveled assessment task for low ability Year 8's. The students enjoyed doing the tasks on the sheet and as they wanted to do it they read the tasks! It could be adapted for higher ability - it goes to level 6 anyway.

This picture is of a hazel shrub with flowering catkins on 11th Jan 2014! There are links to my blog with further pictures and also pictures of summer flowers also in flower in January. Could be used for post-16 Biology. The Salters-Nuffield has a section on phenology for example in topic 5 at A level. Could be used generally in tutor time to think about Global warming and possible local effects. Is this Global warming or is it just that in the SW we have had a mild winter so far?

For AS SNAB Biology. Follow up to a group practical by the class on the effect of temperature on the diffusion of dye from beetroot. Main aim was to evaluate the data and consolidate knowledge and application of terms accuracy and reliability( reproducibility as well?) There are questions to answer on the power point. Eventually this AS class will need to evaluate their own practical coursework at A2.