The topics here are action potentials, synapses and COPD. These are worksheets designed so students can do some independent research either in class or for homework on some aspects of the biology part of unit 1. Could be used as revision tasks,

Try a new distillation practical! This uses a different example of distillation to the ones usually used. It provides a comprehensive set of resources for a lesson on distillation. In the activity particle concepts are reviewed to explain mixtures and key words are applied in a description and explanation of how distillation works. It contains differentiated worksheets and a power point.

Suitable for GCSE required practical on osmosis. Intended for students who struggle to read so they can independently put together this practical. It contains practical instructions is diagram form on the worksheet and on the power point. I have simplified it so there are only 3 different salt solutions for them to try. It is differentiated as the instruction sheet and results table worksheet contains questions to answer, but the report sheet has Cloze passages. I have also included a set of results based partly on real results and partly made up. Teachers can use these for students who do not get sensible results. I was trying to get them to work independently . I remembered the old “Science at Work” books aimed at lower ability students full of diagrams illustrating how to do practicals. (This dates me!) They were great for showing the students what to do. This did work for most students when I tried it, but a demonstration would probably work better or a demo and the instructions!

Want to put a bit more fun into teaching the light topic? These ideas are not "new" but are collected together here with some background information. This will be useful for those new to teaching or those not familiar with teaching Physics. There are 3 demonstrations, some background information on refraction and a homework idea. All illustrations are my own photos or I have permission to use them.

Bioaccumulation This power point gives an increasing number of clues to help students work out why people died in the disaster at Minamata. (Bioacccumulation of mercury in the food chain.) My top set Yr 8s enjoyed the challenge.

This is intended for lower ability groups and in my experience works well. The pictures need improving so please do this on your version!

Meant for a lower ability group but could be adapted. Card sort and pictures for students to present as a poster / flow chart to tell the story of ozone depletion and the ban on CFCs. Powerpoint is to help introduce this - could be added to.

For Biology content of new BTEC Level 3 applied Science. Practice questions about Gram positive and negative bacteria.

Worksheet with information and questions about the pH scale. Has extension question. Requires some prior knowledge as well as comprehension of the worksheet. Ideal as a homework. Just modified it to make it more accessible after my Year 7s completed it for homework. Good to see if they are reading the information properly!

This resource tells you how your students can see some stunning pictures of stomata, without using that fiddly nail varnish! It also has questions which test the student's understanding of the function of stomata, scientific method and the link between decrease in stomatal density and global warming. Suitable for KS4 and possibly useful for KS5.

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.

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.

Measuring the population size of a common species in a habitat is a required practical for GCSE. Personally i love fieldwork, but we will all be in a situation when we have planned to teach this, but it is raining outside! Also there is always that one class that you really do not trust. This activity will help you still do that lesson, but indoors. It is not a computer simulation but involves real ecological techniques.

Used for old BTEC genetics and with GCSE to teach natural selection. Students can sort cards in order to check their understanding.

Reviews the equations needed. Makes students define the units. At least one question on each equation - some foundation and some higher level.

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.

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

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!

Made for Chemistry AQA GCSE 4.1 1.1 Atoms, elements and compounds as a homework/revision/ activity in class. Could be used at KS3.

A science Christmas quiz based around the plants and animals we associate with Christmas. Suitable for higher end KS2 and KS3 as an end of term activity. It looks at adaptations, classification and even science methodology so it reviews topics and has a bit of end of term Christmas fun.