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!

This is my mindmap of the AQA 8461 GCSE specification. Use it as you will. 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). I keep one for each class I teach and just tick them off as I finish. I’ve found it extremely useful for keeping track of my overall progress through the spec. Also useful for certain students who wanted to see what was going to be on each paper. Sections 1-4 provide the content for paper 1, sections 5-7 paper 2. I then took each section and did a separate mindmap for each. 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. If you would like to see the more detailed versions of each section they can be found in my TES Biolojolly’s shop. These also contain the keywords and their definitions that now need to be learned in the relevant sections.

Numeracy lesson to support the maths needed for science, particularly cell biology. A5 ws are the same as slide 10 in the presentation. Answer sheet also supplied. I have done a slide on ‘Orders of Magnitude’ separately so that it can easily be slipped in as an extra linked activity or it could be done as a starter for another lesson. Do with AQA Trilogy in mind.

Written for GCSE and above. Comprehension exercise - straight forward, read text and answer questions.

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.

Presentation to introduce abiotic factors Slides 1-9. Slide 10 has a video hyperlink to show woodlice in choice chambers. (Alternatively you could do this as apractical yourself.) Slide 11 shows the set up from the video and slide 12 gives the results from the video clip. Slides 11-12 are also supplied as a worksheet; 2 A5 copies on one A4 sheet. Students should calculate the mean for each condition from the results . Slide 13 works through the calculation answers then in the last slide 14 students have to decide which abiotic factor, light or moisture is most important to the woodlice. Written with AQA Trilogy in mind.

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.

Watch video (find on YouTube) whilst answering questions. Approx. 20 mins video, so 20 questions roughly one a minute. Can be answered on the sheet with (mostly) single word answers. Aimed at KS3. Answer sheet included.

Watch video (find on YouTube) whilst answering questions. Approx. 20 mins video, so 20 questions roughly one a minute. Can be answered on the sheet with (mostly) single word answers. Aimed at KS3. Answer sheet included.

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

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

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

My GCSE classes always like this. If you use good quality free range eggs they will last longer. The shells take longer to dissolve than cheap ones but the membranes are stronger so less likely to break. The syrup can be reused as often as needed for one set of eggs. It will get thinner but it still works. When the eggs are past their best dispose of them and the syrup as well. Each year when you teach this you will need a new set of eggs and a new jar of golden syrup.

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.

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.