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 is a Jurassic park themed lesson aimed at KS3.
Pupils begin by identifying energy types and wasted or useful for given objects.
Pupils then go onto the learn about the law of conservation and how to draw Sankey diagrams, they also assess a poorly drawn one. Pupils draw a few Sankey diagrams.
Pupils then calculate efficiency.
Million Pound Drop is then played by the pupils. This is from natashafox85 where you can get it for free (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/energy-efficiency-million-pound-drop-6142890)
Finally pupils do a QWC question on the efficiency of light bulbs. This is from my QWC resources which can be found here https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/qwc-writing-frame-with-picture-prompt-comparing-lightbulbs-11178129
This is a Jurassic Park themed lesson aimed at KS3 pupils.
Pupils begin by thinking about the types of energy that enter and leave an object, they complete a worksheet for this.
Pupils then are reminded about kinetic and potential energy, with examples.
Leading on from this, pupils then complete a description of energy transfer on a rollercoaster, and describe the energy types and particular points.
Useful and wasted energy is explained to the pupils, with a simplified diagram.
Pupils then create similar diagrams for different things seen at a theme park.
Finally pupils are then given one Olympic scenario each and have to draw an energy transfer diagram as an exit ticket.
There is a homework where pupils use the Jurassic World website to create energy transfer diagrams of activities in different sections. There is also an online homework used as an extension of the rollercoaster task (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park-basics).
This is the first lesson of the Energy topic. It is designed for KS3 and has a Jurassic Park theme, where pupils design a new theme park for Richard Hammond.
The start pupils look at images and try and come up with a title for the lesson.
Pupils then do a number of jigsaw puzzles to make them to start thinking about the different types of energy and where they can be found. Pupils then create a mnemonic to help them remember all the types of energy.
Pupils then create posters for Mr Hammond on the different types of energy he will see in his new park, using ideas from theme parks they already know.
Finally pupils do a scavenger hunt using QR codes to answer some question to check their learning (internet access is not needed for this)
This unit is for a low ability KS3 class. The pretense of the unit is based on Zombies to gain interest. Lessons types of microbes, viruses and types of drugs.
This is aimed at a KS3 class, with a Zombie theme.
Pupils begin by entering to a Morse Code they have to crack. Pupils then watch a short video on antibiotics and resistance and do a quick AfL multiple choice quiz, this would be a good time to discuss why antibiotics don't work on viral infections.
Pupils then complete a Maths task, looking at the reproduction of bacteria, the affect of antibiotics and what happens when bacteria mutate.
Pupils are then given a character and are to debate antibiotic resistance.
Finally pupils answer an AQA exam question on antibiotic resistance.
There is also a homework available about the effectiveness of plants as antibacterials, I've dubbed this "Plants vs. Zombies" for "fun-factor",
This is a KS3 lesson, with a Zombie theme.
Pupils start by completing a basic comprehension task. There are two available for different abilities.
Pupils then are given a scenario and are asked to "Think, Pair, Share". After the discussion, a video (link in the notes section of the slide) is shown and pupils can then build on their ideas from the initial discussion.
Pupils then do a Silent Sort to find out how vaccines work. The instructions are on the PowerPoint slide.
Using what they have just leaned pupils use the guidance given to write a letter.
Finally pupils complete a comic stripe to show how vaccines work.
This is designed for a KS3 class, with a zombie theme.
Pupils begin with trying to solve an anagram. They can also see how many words they can make out of the letters used to spell 'Phagocytosis'.
Pupils are then put into groups to research about one of the three lines of defence. A website with links is available in the notes section of the PowerPoint, this is to direct their research.
Pupils then put their posters around the room. They do an activity called "Viewing Gallery". This is used to promote discussion and talking properly. Encourage pupils to be silly with it, they will put on posh accents and because they are pretending to be posh they will speak better.
Finally get pupils to create a news bulletin to bring together all the information they have learned.
This is aimed at a low ability KS3 class, with a Zombie theme
Get a lot of glitter on your hands. As pupils walk in greet them with a hand shake or pat on the shoulder.
Pupils begin with a word search of some key terms.
Pupils then do a "Think, Pair, Share" on how they could catch Zombie-ism. Then get pupils to check their hands a shoulders, discuss what this represents.
Go through the possible routes of transmission. Use mini white board to do some Q&A to check understanding.
Put the different hospitals around the room. Pupils decide on how each patient became infected with Zombie-ism.
There is then a Maths focus, where pupils draw tally charts, calculate percentages and draw graphs.
Finally, pupils do an exit ticket which involves them describe ways disease can spread over different distances.
This unit is for a low ability KS3 class. The pretense of the unit is based on the film Frozen to gain interest. Lessons include states of matter, diffusion and separation techniques.
This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with the theme of Disney's Frozen.
Pupils begin with a "Think, Pair and Share" of how they will obtain fresh water from salt water on a beach.
They then go onto do the rock salt experiment, creating a solution and then separating the salt and water, for higher ability classes get them to capture the fresh water, rather than letting it evaporate.
Pupils then go onto a chromatography practical. Use a number of different green pens (one being the sample) and get pupils to determine which green pen was used in a scenario. You could also demo distillation of ink.
Pupils finally complete the "Purifying a Solid" clue task to revisit key terms.
There is also an extended writing homework available.
This is a lesson aimed for a low ability KS3 class and has a theme of Disney's Frozen.
Pupils begin with trying to see how many words they can make out of one of the lesson's keywords.
Pupils then watch a video to get the keywords for the lesson and complete a question sheet as they do so.
Pupils then do 3 experiments that show dissolution.
Finally pupils do a code breaker that goes through the keywords of the lesson again.
For homework pupils watch a video and write a letter to Anna describing the difference between melting and dissolving.
This is a lesson for a low ability KS3 class, with the theme of Disney's Frozen.
Pupils begin with brainstorming how Elza and Anna can smell the hot chocolate.
Diffusion is then explained to the pupils.
Pupils then do an experiment to see how the temperature affects the rate of diffusion. Completing a sheet as they do so.
Finally pupils put diagrams in order to show how diffusion happens in particles.
This unit is for a low ability KS3 class. The pretence of the unit is based on the film Star Wars to gain interest. Lessons include force diagrams, Hooke's Law, Speed and Acceleration.
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, with a Star Wars theme.
Pupils begin by coming up with definitions for positive and negative acceleration.
They then watch a video (link in the notes section) and write down 3 things that they have learned from it.
Pupils watch a speed safety video (link in notes section) and use physics to prove it correct.
Pupils then are given a question each and an answer sheet. They go around the room and ask each other the question they have, write in the correct box the answer, swap questions and continue until they have done 30 questions (cocktail party)
Finally pupils complete an equation triangle using the template as an exit ticket.
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 is a low ability KS3 lesson with a Star Wars theme.
Pupils begin by reading a magazine article from Young Scientist about Sir Isaac Newton (Pages 20-21). They write 2 things they found interesting about Sir Isaac and then 3 things that didn't know before about forces.
Pupils then go over the equation for calculating spring constant. They then complete an experiment.
Pupils create a graph and an extension is given to find the spring constant using the graph.
Finally, they complete a gap fill and answer a question on units.
This is aimed at a low ability KS3 class. It has the theme of Star Wars.
I would like to say that the Star Wars examples are from RichardBonser (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/moments-levers-and-pivots-introduction-with-star-wars-11204405)
Pupil begin by doing a wordsearch. They then go over the equation for a moment. The using examples they calculate moments.
Pupils then discuss how changing the distance an affect the moment.
Pupils complete some calculations and then do an experiment using meter rulers and wooden triangles.
Finally they do a challenge question.
This is for a low ability KS3 class, with a Star Wars theme.
The pupils begin by discussing how they would show movement on a picture.
They then try drawing some arrows on some scenarios. This is then extended by pupils calculating resultant forces of each scenario.
Pupils then do the Forces Dance Mat, the Star Wars music for this is in the notes section of the dancing Darth Vadar.
Finally, pupils tweet the Stormtroopers on how force diagrams work
This is a lesson for a low ability KS3 class. It has the theme of Star Wars.
Pupils start with match some words with their definitions. There is then a circus activity where pupils go around a do small tasks to answer questions about different types of forces. Pupils then create a learning sheet for Luke Skywalker, so he can learn about 'The Force'. Finally pupils do a small literacy task as their exit ticket.
