An introduction to the synoptic essay on paper 3 of the AQA Biology A-level.
Lesson includes the following…
choose topics relevant to the essay title
understand the mark scheme and why essays are awarded each band of marks.
Explore ways in which we can link topics to the main theme of the question ie the importance of (this is what students find hardest to do and what they need to be able to do gain the top 2 bands of marks)
I designed this ppt to introduce essays to my year 12s at the end of the AS course. Topics relevant to the essay titles from year 13 could certainly be added if you were using this year 13 students.
For new AQA GCSE. Ppt with student activities that achieve the following LOs;
Describe how water leaves the body
Explain why it is important to keep water, carbon dioxide and urea in balance
Decide which processes we can and cant control.
Ppt includes the structure of the eye as well as the function of the different parts. It also includes the eyes response to bright and dim light and accommodation of the eye to focus light. Worksheets are also included.
Homework is a worksheet of exam style questions with markscheme
Powerpoint covers the areas of the brain and what they do. It also covers how we investigate the brain using MRI scans.
Worksheet on the brain structure and function included. Worksheet on using MRI scans included.
los -Describe the structure of a virus
Explain how viruses replicate
Give examples of diseases caused by viruses and their action on the body.
includes transmission of viruses cut and stick and Practise graph style question.
LOs
All – state what an infectious disease is
Most – give examples of microorganisms that cause disease
Some – Explain how pathogens can make you feel ill.
Includes 6 mark practise exam question and mark scheme
Investigation into the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration of cultures of yeast.
Includes objective and background theory of practical, method, and discussion questions.
In order to complete required practical 12 we took our students out on a field trip.
They had to investigate the population of water invertebrates at 4 locations, a canal, a brook man made ponds and a hoverfly lagoon.
They then took measurements of 5 different aspects of the water chemistry; turbidity, ammonia, nitrates, phosphorus and oxygen.
Students write up a full report in which they carry out statistical analysis (chi squared and Simpson's diversity index)
Resource includes ppt on eutrophication, a plan of action for the field trip, data recording sheet, methods for the water chemistry tests, invertebrate identification charts and a help sheet showing what the students needed to include in their report.
Students were asked to give a presentation to report their findings to the rest of the class.
ppt to accompany required practical 8. Explains the theory behind the practical (which is the Hill experiment), provides a detailed method and includes conclusion and analysis questions.
Series of 7 lessons designed for a high ability year 8 group (but useable at GSCE)
Students go through the whole process of an investigation. Includes
1) Definition of Variables
2)Designing Tables
3) drawing graphs
4) risk assessment
5) writing a Hypothesis
6) writing a method
7) Analysis of results and conclusions
8) evaluating results
9) definition of HSW keywords.
PPT designed to accompany required practical 1 of the practical endorsement for the new AQA A-level spec.
Includes the purpose of a lab-book and how this should be set out.
Also includes a method for the affect of temperature on the rate of reaction of trypsin.
Guides students through each step of risk assessment, results analysis, conclusion and evaluation.
Also includes extension activity to boost maths skills by calculating the temperature coefficient.
PPT designed to accompany the Required Practical 7 of the AQA A-level Biology course.
Contains method, description of skills needed to gain practical endorsement and explanation of Rf values.
A series of 5 lessons designed to match the new AQA specification topic of hormonal control.
Lesson 1 - explores the hormones controlling human fertility
Lesson 2 - contraceptives. Students research the various different contraceptive methods, how they work and their pros and cons
lesson 3 - controlling fertility - how knowledge of hormones can be used in IVF, fertility treatment and the contraceptive pill.
Lesson 4 - Hormonal control in plants - looks at tropisms and auxin.
Lesson 5 - Explores how the nervous system and endocrine system interact with each other. Covers negative and positive feedback as well as the action of thyroxine and adrenaline. Also cover the plant hormone gibberellin and its uses.
PPT and Lesson plan.
Students are given a mystery box which symbolises their genetic information. They then complete research on the implications and ethics of genetic screening to decide whether they should open the box.