I have been teaching science for over 30 years. although Biology is my specialism I have lots of experience of teaching Physics and Chemistry to GCSE. I am particularly interested in practical work and believe that all science teachers should be able to teach good practicals and give practical demos.
I have been teaching science for over 30 years. although Biology is my specialism I have lots of experience of teaching Physics and Chemistry to GCSE. I am particularly interested in practical work and believe that all science teachers should be able to teach good practicals and give practical demos.
For Edexcel A level context -led approach. Suitable for concept -led?
Could be suitable for some parts of other A level boards?
My Yr 13s found the 'do cars make us fat ?' interesting.
Easy to view root hairs, xylem and stomata from the easy to grow cress! Ditch celery and other favourites - this works very well.
Please go to the BlogSpot on the resource
'Using Cress seedlings....... as it has photos you can use.
This is the basis of a whole lesson on diffusion, osmosis, active transport and co-transport. It includes 4 exam questions.
It has clear diagrams of each type of transport together with questions.
Students can make their own notes from the diagrams and answer the questions.
Alternatively, this could be used as revision on this topic or set for homework/home study.
This resource is for non-specialist physics teachers and new teachers as well as maybe more experienced ones who are looking for a different angle. It has historical background about Joule as well as questions (with answers) and practical activities. I have tried to make doing the calculations interesting by for example looking at the different kinetic energies of a tennis serve and a cyclist - which did intrigue my Year 10 group so I hope it works for you. The power point does the lesson for you - if you like this then use it as it is.
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 resource was written to try to get Year 7s to develop their practical skills. In particular to ask them to think about calculating averages, writing a hypothesis, identifying anomalous results and explaining about why increasing rotor width might help the paper helicopter spend more time in the air. This was given to the Year 7s after we had already done some practical work dropping paper helicopters and timing how long they took to reach the floor. We are fortunate in that we have a suitable balcony to drop them from at our College.
This is for the new BTEC Applied Science Course. There are questions here about how to use a colourimeter and an evaluation criteria sheet for some peer-evaluation when the students actually use the colourimeters. This was useful as it focussed them and will also help them evaluate their progress for this part of the assignment.
This resource tests students' application of knowledge and analysis as well as delivering the essential knowledge needed. The power point and worksheet were 5 star-rated resources when posted separately on TES. They are combined here with a lesson plan an additional worksheet and an answer sheet to give enough material for a whole lesson. There are also ideas for demonstrations as starters for this lesson.
Uncertain about teaching about plants at GCSE and KS3? Here are 5 lessons - 2 about plant responses and hormones, one about the new bit in the GCSE about plant diseases, one about the leaf as an organ and one for KS3 on plant reproduction.
A useful way to assess student's understanding of the essential key words needed to answer questions on Evolution. Students match the key words to the meanings. Includes an answer sheet for self-assessment or peer-marking.
A primary colleague asked me how she could incorporate some practical activity when teaching evolution to Year 6. This activity models different types of bird catching a variety of prey and how their success rate might change given a different environment. It was a huge success with Year 6. The presentation sets the scene and the students experience recording results and interpreting them. The results we got from our class are included and there is a worksheet on these that can be used or adapted. There is scope for questioning the students about reliability of results and whether this is a valid way of collecting data.
The aim of this resource is to get children outdoors looking for wild flowers according to the month. This month's sheet is for January - with the others in preparation. Outdoor learning enhances the well-being of children, is fun and instructive. In KS1 and 2 children have to learn some of the common names of living things around them and this resource enables teachers to do this, with plants that can be found around the playground in this case. The short descriptions about each plant are written for children aged 6 to 9 years, so can be used individually as well as a class resource.
To share your children's finds – just post them on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #herbologyhunt or in our new Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/530501890646957/
This is a worksheet that assesses a student's understanding of what a "good" hypothesis is and their ability to analyse results. It could be used as a homework after a lesson or series of lessons on enzymes.
Ideal for new teachers and/or busy teachers. Three different homeworks here. This resource saves time as it has answers to the questions so that the students can mark it themselves or peer-mark. One homework includes approx GCSE grades to give an idea of attainment. All homeworks have an extension question.
3 homeworks on different topics with differentiation for KS3. Great for new teachers or busy teachers as they come with answers to questions that can be displayed as a power point for peer-assessment or self-marking.
Differentiated homeworks. Ideal for new teachers or busy teachers as they have answers on a presentation and in a word document suitable for self or peer assessment to save you marking time. Suitable for KS3 students.
Ideal if you want a quick homework and/or review of work done on reflection and refraction to see if students have understood basic principles. There is an answer sheet for self-marking or peer-marking and this is also presented on a power point - time-saving for the teacher!
