Microbes around school. As part of a CREST Award some of my students swabbed different surfaces around the school, grew the microbes on agar and recorded their results. This presentation can be used as a starter or plenary activity. I usually print off pictures of the eight different surfaces and get students to work in pairs or small groups to try and order them in terms of number of microbes. We then discuss the results and relate them to the standard of cleaning around the school.

The human eye. Two pairing activities that can be displayed on the board or printed out as a starter or plenary activity.

Salt solubility data and graphs. The zipped file contains a spreadsheet and presentation containing solubility data and graphs for several different ionic salts (sodium acetate, sodium bromate, sodium formate, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate) and sucrose. Can be used alongside some questions as a quick starter or plenary activity to practice students’ data interpretation skills.

Separating sea salt. A pairing and gap fill activity, ideal as a quick starter, plenary or knowledge retrieval exercise.

A worksheet to support students investigating turning moments using a seesaw. The sheet gives full instructions for the practical and an outline results table for students to complete.

Human reproduction crossword, ideal for end of topic revision, as a knowledge retrieval exercise or as a homework activity.

Molecular models and formulae. A simple little starter or settler activity, which can be shown to the whole class on the board or printed for individual students.

Light revision word search. A quick way of reinforcing light-related key vocabulary and spellings. Once students have completed the word search, they can fill in the missing word meanings at the bottom of the sheet.

Light literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

A worksheet to support students completing the classic experiment where they measure (albeit very roughly!) the amount of energy stored in different foods. The sheet gives full instructions for the practical as well as some concluding questions to confirm their level of knowledge and understanding.

Using chemicals safely card sort and gap filler. Three starter or plenary activities in one. Students sort the cards into the correct groups of chemical name, hazard symbol and examples. Best done working in pairs. Students are given a chemical safety grid with some gaps, which they need to fill. Could be printed out or done on the board with the whole class. Students are given a risk assessment template to complete, based on their knowledge of chemicals they have used previously.

Elements, compounds and mixtures literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

Contact and non-contact forces literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

Elements and compounds crossword, ideal for end of topic revision, as a knowledge retrieval exercise or as a homework activity.

Students rearrange the cards to make the word equations of four different chemical reactions. They then add the correct description card with each element or compound.

Cells literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

Worksheet that guides students through the process of calculating the pressure underneath their feet. Having calculated their own pressure values, students then apply the concept of pressure to several practical examples.

Animal reproduction literacy task and crosswords. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc. They could then use the information in the text to help complete the crosswords, either working alone or with a partner.

Forces topic combined word search and cloze activity, ideal for use as a lesson starter or plenary for lower ability students.