This is my mindmap of the AQA Biology GCSE specification Section 7 Ecology. I did it for myself when the new spec. 9-1 levels came out. It was my way of identifying how this spec. was structured. It can also be used for the Biology section of Trilogy, although the numbers may not match, the headings will. If a section is in higher tier only it is labelled with (H) and if it is only on the Biology and not the Trilogy it is labelled with (B). Although I did this primarily for myself, some of my colleagues are also using them and when I left my folder open on the desk I found students asking me for copies. I do not claim that they would suit everyone but if you have that sort of need for a complete overview, in a non-linear format, it might suit you. I have some students using it as a tick list, others highlighting the sections they want to cover for revision. I have even offered it at the start of a topic to certain students. Some would be frightened off by it, so you have to be selective. Each mindmap also contains the keywords and their definitions that now need to be learned in the relevant section. There is also a free resource that is a summary of the whole Biology specification.

Ecology sampling lesson includes exam style questions and answers. Slide 2 is a learning framework Slide 3 contains key words for the lesson LAPS use as a spelling sheet HAPS use as basis for a mindmap Slides 4-11 Sampling invertebrates in a pitfall trap Slides 12-21 Sampling plants using a quadrat Pitfall trap ws is slides 9&11 Quadrat question ws is slides 16-19

Each worksheet results in the same answers (sheet supplied). Gaps sheet is for the MAPS/HAPS as no missing words given. Options sheet includes 2 alternative answers to choose from for most spaces so more suitable for LAPS

Activity to identify names of endocrine glands. Word doc. has 2 copies of slide 2 of the powerpoint. Makes for easier printing for A5 copies to stick in exercise books. Full instructions on slide 1.

Pairs of science words that students might confuse, in meaning and/or spelling. Pick a specific slide to use in a lesson or pick one at random to fill a few spare minutes at the start or end of a lesson.

Lesson presentation to work through in class with an accompanying worksheet. Answer sheet also supplied.

Consolidation of scientific vocabulary. GCSE written for AQA Trilogy. Will fit onto a single page in an A4 exercise book. Answer sheet also included.

Consolidation activity / plenary / revision / science literacy / compiled with GCSE AQA Trilogy in mind. Made to fit on one page A4 exercise book. Cut into 12 squares and resort to match words to meanings. Correct version supplied.

Watch video (find on YouTube) whilst answering questions. Approx. 20 mins video. Can be answered on the sheet with (mostly) single word answers.

Consolidation of scientific vocabulary. GCSE written for AQA Trilogy. Will fit onto a single page in an A4 exercise book. Answer sheet also included.

These are the 6 specialised cells identified in the AQA Trilogy specification. Work sheet contains pictures and names just add functions. Differentiate by asking some students to identify the adaptations that help the cells carry out those functions.

This uses an AQA exam question. I broke this question down to explain how I would go about answering it. I always say how important it is to study the information at the beginning of a question before you read any part of the question itself. I show slide 1 then I get students to divide a page in their exercise book into 4 quarters and draw a quick sketch diagram of each cell with room below to write. Then I get them to identify the parts of each cell and also what each cell is missing. Then we discuss what each cell is and identify the reasons for each answer. Working through the next 5 slides adding to their notes if they miss any important points. Lastly I go through the questions themselves on the last slide. Parts 1.1 and 1.2 will already have been identified but there may still be discussion around the reasons used. Part 1.3 may need revision of the terms eukaryote and prokaryote before the answer can be found. Part 1.4 uses the equation for magnification. Encourage students to use calculators to check their answers. (Calculators are allowed in science exams so why not use them as it is so easy to make silly mistakes under the pressure of exams.) May need to revise relative sizes of millimetres and micrometres.

This is a graph drawing task with irregular time intervals. I find it best to do this at the start of a lesson on Human population growth. This leads on to discussions about waste management and pollution. If you ‘google’ world population you get a counter showing changing population in ‘real’ time. I have this running on my screen throughout the lesson. Note down number at the start and end of lesson to get a feel for the scale of this.

I always found that students struggle to draw predator/prey sketch graphs. So this is a half done graph for them to complete. The worksheet has 2 identical pages so that you can print 2 pages on one to give A5 worksheets if you need to. The powerpoint also includes a pyramid of biomass. I haven’t included this on the worksheet because it is good practise to be able to draw the levels correctly using a sharp pencil and ruler!

This is a worksheet (slide 1) and a series of stimulus pictures. Make up a story to suit your class. They need to know that the species is peafowl; males are peacocks; females are peahens; offspring are peachicks. The peacocks ‘strut their stuff’ in order to gain the attention of the peahens. Then the peahen is soley responsible for bringing up the chicks. Students then write their own version on the storyboard ws. Credit should be given for correct use of scientific key words.

Written for AQA Trilogy but would suit any GCSE or KS3. Slide 1 - Learning framework Slide 2 - starter sentences Slide 3 - Key words for this lesson. Can be printed off for those that need the spellings. More able students can use it as the basis for a mind map. Slide 4 - looks at a food chain Slide 5 - series of food chains forming a web, can print this slide off so that students can add arrows and labels Slides 6 - builds up the web Slide 7 - contains a link to short video identifying predators and prey Slide 8 - link to BBC animation showing ladybirds and aphids Slide 9 - shows a typical predator/prey graph to use as a visual aid for teaching.

Written for AQA Trilogy but would suit any GCSE. Slide 1 - Learning framework Slide 2 - Key words for this lesson. Can be printed off for those that need the spellings. More able students can use it as the basis for a mind map. Slide 3 - details of decay Slides 4-6 - stimulus photos for discussion Slide 7 - conditions needed for decay Slide 8 - carbon cycle diagram Slide 9 - link to activity Slides 10-11 - four multiple choice questions Slides 12-22 - True or false questions Slide 23 - two 1mark questions. Worksheet with a 6mark question can be printed A4 or A5 by printing 2 to a page.

Lesson slides, instructions and templates to sit under a petri dish. Written for a classes doing GCSE AQA Trilogy.

Instructions for setting up practical to show osmosis to GCSE classes. Use small beakers rather than boiling tubes. I’ve done both but sweets get stuck in boiling tubes. Take care not to leave for too long. One lesson until the next works fine. Store covered in a cool place to reduce risk of microbial growth. Any jelly sweets will work but my classes preferred teddies although Minions were quite popular!

Useful for keeping track of which chemicals you have put in a dimple tray. Have a supply to hand. Also good for drawing what was seen down a microscope for a series of slides.