A British trained KS3-5 Biology teacher, I have over 20 years teaching in the UK and internationally. I have taught AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR curricula.
A British trained KS3-5 Biology teacher, I have over 20 years teaching in the UK and internationally. I have taught AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR curricula.
This lesson starts with KS4 recall of plant cell organelles which then links into the structure of the chloroplast. There are a lot of magnified diagrams to illustrate structure. The lesson concludes by explaining structure to function using text from a Biofact sheet and answering questions. All resources included including additional Biofact sheets on comparisons between mitochondria and chloroplasts.
This lesson starts with past iGCSE exam questions on homeostatic mechanisms for temperature control, blood glucose control and water control. The lesson then progresses to look at the importance of homeostasis in maintaining dynamic equilibrium. Feedback loops introduce the idea of negative feedback. There is a small section on positive feedback, which although is not on the CIE syllabus, is useful for students to understand the concept of the importance of negative feedback switching off. All resources are included at the end of the PPT, and the starter activity is provided as a separate document. Also included is the Biofact sheet for this subject.
This lesson covers glycogenesis, glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (not required for the CIE syllabus), Colourful diagrams to illustrate sites of the Islets of Langerhans, and the concept of the second messenger model.
This lesson starts with a review of different glands, their hormones and roles that they have in cell communication. The first learning episode looks at the principles of cell signaling and then uses insulin as a worked example. There is a practise exam question included and resources for the starter activity.
This lesson starts with a practical activity to recall the iodine food test and then discover the effect of different temperatures of amylase. Students write up their results and conclude with graph interpretation, using key terms. The lesson progresses into the effects of pH, with a YouTube video to embed the effects of temperature and then introduces the concepts of changing concentrations of H+ and OH- ions. The lesson then concludes with a past exam question. Also included is a CIE assessment with mark scheme.
This lesson starts by revisiting the location of the endocrine glands and then focuses on the pancreas and recalling it’s role. The PPT takes students through the release of insulin and glucagon from the liver, and the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. A quiz and review activity before introducing the concept of negative feedback. The plenary reviews the treatments of types 1 and 2 diabetes. Also included is a CIE specific assessment with mark scheme.
This lesson outlines the reflex arc in detail. The starts with a revisit to the three main types of neurones and students are then asked to investigate reflex actions, using torches (eye), and rulers on the knee and ankles. This leads to a discussion about how reflex actions are fast responses to stimuli and how this leads to survival in terms of evolution. The PPT shows the stages of the reflex arc and in the resources section there are alternative / additional activities that can be used depending on the learning styles of the class. For example, there are word cards that can be printed and students are given a word and they have to arrange themselves in the correct order of the reflex arc. There is also a cut and stick activity, if required. The lesson concludes with a revisit to the stages and students need to outline the stages of the reflex in the leg.
This lesson concludes the bundle of lesson on co-ordination and control. The starter activity requires students to recall the position and names of the dendrites and synaptic knobs on the neurone. This is used to later explain that this is the junction of a synapse. Students are given a diagram of the synapse to label, suing information from the PPT. The lesson concludes with a comprehension task to explain why impulses travel in one direction only. Answers are provided. This lesson also includes a CIE specific assessment, with mark scheme for assessmenet of the whole topic.
This lesson explores the components of the CNS, the types of neurones and how electrical impulses are generated at the receptor site and then move to the brain or spinal chord and back to generate a response. Students need to identify differences between all three types of neurone and the lesson provides activities for the to research them. There is YouTube video to embed learning. The details of the reflex are covered in the next lesson. The plenary is an identification task of all three neurone types.
This lesson starts with the students labeling all the structures of the eye, leading into a research task to discover the functions. There are consolidation tasks and reviews. The third part of the lesson looks at the pupil reflex and revisits concepts of antagonistic muscles linking to circular and radial muscles of the iris. The lesson concludes with a true/false quiz
This lesson starts with a research task to find out the role of the fovea, then explores how long and short vision is accommodated for by the eye with diagrams for students to label. The final part of the lesson is on the potision of rods and cones and what they do. A true/false quiz for the plenary. Also included is a CIE assessment with B-A* questions and mark scheme.
This lesson starts with the students using iodine on pasta and observing for the colour change. The lesson then proceeds with a recall on the 3 macronutrients and Vitamin C, and the tests we can do to identify them in food. The lesson can be carried out as a whole class practical or teacher demonstration. Worksheets are provided for students to write up their observations. The lesson concludes with an online quiz.
This is the first lesson in the bundle that recalls photosynthesis as a chemical reaction and introduces the chloroplast and chlorophyll as the site of the reaction. The starter activity introduces Audrey from the Little House of Horrors as a man eating plant to generate discussion about how plants really source their own food. There are a few cloze tasks and slides on generating the word and chemical equations for photosynthesis. The plenary is a summary cloze task.
This bundle consists of two lessons. The first lesson focuses on enzyme structure and mode of function. The second lesson focuses on how temperature and pH changes causes denaturing. There are plenty of videos and student activities to embed learning. The final lesson also includes a CIE specific assessment
This lesson starts with a recall of the names of some specialised cells taught at KS3. The lesson then progresses into a research activity where they are given a visual worksheet with the cells already drawn. Students need to research the individual adaptations of each cells and then explain how their adaptation allow them to do their function. Resources are included in the PPT. An additional assessment sheet is provided which students can be given as a homework task.
This lesson concludes the bundle on photosynthesis. It starts with a visual for students to analyse and decide if plants with photosynthesize and/or respire in the light and/or dark. This leads onto a discussion about plants not photosynthesizing in the dark because sunlight is a key factor. The are a series of slides demonstrating the classic graphs associated with each of the limiting factors with descriptions and explanations for the graphs. The lesson concludes with an assessment. The CIE exam questions are included in a separate document. Mark scheme is included.
This lesson provides the opportunity for students to test for chlorophyll, sunlight and CO2. The lesson contains YouTube video to demonstrate each test, alternatively the PPT incorporates instructions for class practical activity. There is also an additional slide to show how to test for oxygen production. The lesson concludes with a CIE exam question. MArk scheme included.
This lesson is a research based activity to discover the use of glucose in plants. Students are asked to research then provided with consolidation on the PPT. The lesson concludes with a multiple choice quiz.
This lesson starts by revisiting the components of macromolecules as covered in Biological Molecules and recaps how proteins have nitrogen in them. The students research using their laptops to find out the use of magnesium and nitrates, progressing onto observations of mineral deficiencies. The lesson concludes with summary questions. CIE specific exam questions are provided for assessment.