I teach a number of low ability classes. I want my pupils to do as well as they can. So here are a number of resources that I have developed to help them do that. From writing frames to entire lessons. I am currently making themed topics to rope in pupils, e.g. Disney themes.
I teach a number of low ability classes. I want my pupils to do as well as they can. So here are a number of resources that I have developed to help them do that. From writing frames to entire lessons. I am currently making themed topics to rope in pupils, e.g. Disney themes.
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This is aimed at a low ability KS3 class, and has a Ghostbusters theme.
Pupils enter the room and begin by doing a wordsearch.
The teacher, using a diagram, explains how to read a wave from an oscilloscope, including keywords. A oscilloscope can also be used to demonstrate the different sounds and waves produced.
Pupils then do a mini-experiment using a ruler, to investigate pitch and amplitude, to ensure that they understand the meaning of these words.
Pupils then use a template the draw wave diagrams.
There is then a task where pupils read descriptions of sound and match these to wave diagrams.
Finally in teams pupils complete a small quiz.
There are two homeworks available, which I let them chose between, both are experiments that they can do at home.
This is a Star Wars themed lesson aimed at KS3.
Pupils begin by doing a "Think, Pair, Share" on what will fall faster, an elephant or a feather and how they could make them fall at the same speed. The text is then hyperlinked so a video can be shown, when air is removed from the scenario.
Pupils then watch an animation showing a parachutist and the way air resistance changes the forces and acceleration acting upon him.
Pupils discuss which parachute will land first using the diagrams. Then pupils then investigate how surface area affects the speed in which a parachute falls. You will need tissue paper, string and a weight - I usually let them drop it from the balcony and down the stairs.
Pupils then complete a gap fill exit ticket and draw force arrows on a parachutist.
A QWC writing frame is also include for higher ability pupils and/or homework
This is for a KS3 class, but could be used for KS4 too. It is Star Wars themed.
Pupils begin by doing a code breaker, which will give them the equation to calculate speed.
Pupils then watch a Star War Mario Kart race and use a stopwatch to determine when events in the race happened, and filling out the data entry sheet (this has the speed Mario was going at each point).
Pupils then turn their data into a graph and calculate the distance between set point on the graph by drawing rectangles and triangles and calculating area.
Pupils then finally complete an exit ticket, which has a number of speed questions on it.
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This booklet was made for a KS3 trip to the Natural History Museum, London.
The front of the booklet has a table indicating what the pupils are to take away from the trip (green = lower ability to blue = higher ability). The higher ability tasks include the entire booklet and blue boxes.
I hope this helps anyone who is planning a trip but needs some resources to go with it.
The answers can also be assessed (WWW/EBI) when you're back in school.
This is for a low ability KS3 class, with a Ghostbusters theme.
Pupils begin by putting in order the stages of hearing (they would have done this in a previous lesson). Pupils then determine their own hearing range using a video.
Pupils then watch a video on narwhals and how they use echolocation, answering some questions along the way.
Pupils then get introduced to ultrasound and some uses. They are then given differentiated maths questions to go along side this.
Finally pupils compare the hearing ranges of different animals.
With a busy schedule sometimes it's hard to enjoy running a STEM Club if you have to think of tasks every week, especially towards the end of the year.
Over the summer I created a scheme of work for your STEM Club. It was divided into themes, e.g. Superheroes and Fairy Tales.
One and a half terms in, it seems to be working very well, for our KS3 and KS2 Science Clubs. Not all the resources are mine, but I've attached help sheets for some session. Most of the information is in the spread sheet outlining each session
I hope you enjoy using this and it makes your life that little bit easier.
For the Plastics Challenge information please go to http://practicalaction.org/plastics-challenge
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
Have you got low ability pupils that you don't think will be able to cope with the intensity of next year of the AQA Combined Trilogy? Have you considered double entry?
These planning resources show how you could teach the ELC content as well as meet the requirements for the Combined Trilogy so you can double enter your lower ability pupils. This way if they do not achieve in the Trilogy they can at least have an entry level certificate.
These planning resources show how you would teach the Year 10 (Year 11 to follow) and how the TDAs of the ELC map with the Required Practicals of the Combined Trilogy.
Hope this helps anyone who is concerned with their lower ability pupils next year.
Firstly, I would like to say thank you for purchasing or considering purchasing a QWC writing frame or bundle. I have found these an amazing resource, which if why I have made so many.
But, how could they be differentiated? I know how tempting it can be to use these as a standalone task, and even stretch it out into a lesson.
This document gives some ideas on how to differentiated for different classes as well as other activities you could do with the frames.