I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
A lesson designed around the AQA GCSE specification looking at how to calculate relative formula mass and how to balance symbol equations. The lesson would also be suitable for an able KS3 class.
The powerpoint features a lot of step-by-step worked examples and plenty of opportunity for student practice with questions that progress from simple to more complex examples alongside animated answers. Lesson features include:
A 10 question starter quiz based on previous AQA GCSE learning with animated answers (questions based on Topic 1 atomic structure content to assist with long term memory retrieval)
Slides explaining to students how to work out the number of different elements and atoms a chemical formula contains, followed by an independent task requiring students put this teaching into practice for a range of different chemical formulae. Answers have been included in the powerpoint to allow for student assessment.
Slides guiding pupils on how to work out the relative formula mass of a substance, incorporating 3 worked examples that contain step-by-step instructions with each stage of the calculation animated via a mouse click.
An independent task requiring students to calculate the relative formula mass for a range of different chemical formulae. Answers have been included in the powerpoint to allow for student assessment.
A slide explaining to students how to deduce an unknown element in a chemical formula when given the relative formula mass, alongside a step-by-step modelled example question and 3 additional practice questions for students to complete
Slides providing a clear method for pupils to follow when balancing symbol equations. To help pupils master the skill of balancing equations the powerpoint contains 5 worked examples progressing in difficulty, with each stage of the calculation process animated via a mouse click.
An independent differentiated task (based on ‘bronze, silver, gold’ medals) incorporating 24 balancing equations questions. Pupils can select which level of the task to work at dependent on their confidence with balancing equations
A lesson/ series of lessons covering the steps used in the treatment of water (designed specifically to match AQA spec), including the required practical activity to desalinate water and test for the presence of sodium and chloride ions. The lesson features:
- A learning mat following the powerpoint looking at the treatment of freshwater, seawater and wastewater (has missing key terms though could be adapted to provide more challenge)
- Review past paper questions with animated answers on the powerpoint to assess student understanding of water treatment
- Step-by-step instructions including a table of results to allow students to complete the RPA.
- A sheet with success criteria and extension questions to assess student understanding of the RPA task
- Review questions for the lesson
A KS3/KS4 lesson looking at key genetic terminology, building towards the completion and analysis of genetic diagrams for sickle cell anaemia, huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. The lesson features:
-A starter task looking at student understanding of the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA in a 'guess who' format
-Powerpoint slides containing explanations for key genetic terminology and a table of definitions that requires students to match the correct key terms for
- Four step-by-step worked examples with animated stages to demonstrate how to complete a genetic diagram/ punnett square. For differentiation i have created a worksheet (in the slides) with scaffolded support
- Two extension questions to explain genetic diagram outcomes
- Slides explaining the symptoms of sickle cell anaemia, huntington's and cystic fibrosis
- Genetic diagram questions for students to complete on inherited diseases
A double lesson/ series of lessons explaining how a cell works, considering the variables that affect the potential difference produced by a cell, the difference between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, how hydrogen fuel cells work and the advantages/ disadvantages of using a fuel cell compared to batteries.
The lesson features:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (graphene, reactions of acids and metal carbonates, groups on the periodic table, diamond, covalent bonding diagrams, properties of small covalent molecules and energy transfer required practical)
A slide introducing the idea of a cell in an engaging context by asking students to think about how they would make an LED light up using a lemon, coin and piece of copper.
A series of slides explaining how chemical cells work and what a battery consists of
A suggested practical with instructions, results table and conclusion questions investigating how the reactivity difference between metal electrodes affects the voltage made in a cell
A host of short review questions with animated answers on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A link to an engaging video looking at hydrogen powered cars and questions for pupils to subsequently answer from the video
An animated diagram explaining how a hydrogen fuel cell works, table detailing advantages/ disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells and an evaluation question comparing rechargeable batteries to hydrogen fuel cells using a table of statements
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
An A3 review sheet for the entire energy changes topic with questions/ diagrams for pupils to complete
A lesson looking at factors affecting the rate of a reaction. The lesson features:
- A recap 'starter' task containing basic questions to assess student understanding on measuring the rate of a reaction. The powerpoint contains animated answers for the task.
- Information stations containing explanations for factors that can increase or decrease the rate of reaction and a student worksheet containing prompts for the information students should collect
- Mini assessment 'true/ false' table and sentence constructor to review understanding on lesson content
- Review questions with animated answers based on past paper questions
A fully resourced lesson bundle for the AQA Topic 10 unit - Using Resources. Suitable for foundation and higher tier Triple candidates (content can easily be deleted for Trilogy)
The bundle features double lessons on:
Potable water, waste water and purification of water RPA
Corrosion, alloys and copper extraction (phytomining and bioleaching)
Ceramics, composites and polymers
Sustainability and life cycle assessments
The Haber process and NPK fertilisers
The lessons feature informative, user-friendly slides, links to videos and suggestions of modelling tasks/ teaching activities, regular assessment questions throughout the powerpoints to check understanding with animated answers and a word document with exam-style questions and answers for each lesson
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the process of corrosion and methods to prevent corrosion, the structure of alloys and properties of specific alloys and the processes of phytomining and bioleaching
Lesson features include:
A starter consisting of basic recall questions from previous learning (treatment of freshwater, wastewater and the purification of seawater required practical)
Slides introducing the idea of corrosion and factors affecting corrosion in an engaging context (questioning on whether a ship in the desert or a ship in shallow water would rust faster and why)
A series of slides containing descriptions on methods preventing corrosion that could be used as a carousel/ envoy activity (painting, oiling, galvanising, sacrificial protection)
A slide containing descriptions of alloys as detailed by the aqa exam board. This could be printed off and handed out as cards
A host of short review questions for each learning objective (corrosion, alloys and the extraction of copper)
A paired teaching activity on phytomining and bioleaching for students to complete. This comprises of cards with storyboards on detailing the processes
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A lesson/ series of lessons introducing the concept of electrolysis and predicting the products when molten ionic compounds undergo electrolysis. The resource features:
- A recap of how ions are produced.
- Differentiated questions to explain the formation of ions
- A recap of how to deduce the chemical formula of ionic compounds
- A worksheet for students containing simplified descriptions of the components of an electrolysis cell and a table of ionic compounds requiring students to predict the products of electrolysis at the anode and cathode
- Extension task for students to write half equations for the reactions at the electrodes (contains animated answers allowing self-assessment to take place)
- Past paper review questions
- A differentiated review plenary task with questions
A lesson describing what a reversible reaction is and explaining the term 'equilibrium'. The lesson is designed for foundation students and does not include 'Le Chatelier's principle'. The lesson features:
- A past paper question starter based on a chemical reaction similar to the RPA tasks in the topic 6 unit. The task contains prompt questions designed to facilitate students answering questions based on unfamiliar scenarios
- A demonstration reaction (ammonium chloride decomposing to produce ammonia and hydrogen chloride) with questions and animated answers on the powerpoint
- A class practical (heating hydrated copper sulfate to produce anhydrous copper sulfate and water) with a results table containing animated answers to ensure that pupils understand observations seen in the practical task
- Past paper questions based on the class practical and animated answers on the powerpoint
- A mini true/ false statement table to allow for assessment of understanding
A revision mat for the following required practical activities in the AQA specification:
Titration
Making a soluble salt
Chromatography
Investigating temperature change for a neutralisation reaction
Electrolysis of aqueous solutions
Testing for ions
Would be best printed A3.
Lesson explaining what a carbon footprint is and the problems caused by pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon particulates and nitrogen oxides.
Features a starter activity based on prior learning of the topic that settles pupils into their learning (formation of the atmosphere, greenhouse gases, deforestation and climate change), hidden drawing task, definition match for terms carbon capture, carbon neutral, carbon offset and carbon footprint, information stations for an independent learning activity, video link and exam-style review questions with model answers.
A double lesson / series of lessons comparing the processes of mitosis and meisosis, suitable for KS3 or a low/ middle ability KS4 class (lesson is tailored towards the new AQA GCSE scheme). The lesson features:
A ‘find someone who’ starter grid activity with 6 questions recapping cells (differences between animal, plant and bacterial cells, roles of cell organelles)
An introduction to the purpose of mitosis including a link to a video showing aphid cloning and an engaging hook into the lesson considering the replacement of skin cells using mitosis
An explanation for the stages of the cell cycle and mitosis using a diagram
Differentiated activities on the stages of mitosis (a simple ‘ordering the stages’ task, a table where pupils must order and draw an image to represent the stages of mitosis and a ‘true/ false’ review grid
Graphs showing the change in DNA content that students must link to the stages of mitosis and meiosis
Review questions on mitosis including a past paper question
An introduction to the purpose of meiosis using key terms that pupils must discuss and a discussion question
An explanation for the stages of meiosis using a diagram
A slide to compare the processes of mitosis and meiosis using images of each cell division
A comparison table of mitosis and meiosis with animated answers
A 6 mark question comparing mitosis and meiosis with animated markscheme
Review questions on the two processes
Lesson recapping the structure of an atom and explaining how objects become charged.
The lesson features:
Engaging video for students to recap/ learn about the structure of an atom
Video to explain what happens when hair becomes charged
Circus of experiments to explain the behaviour of charged objects
Explanations for static shocks and lightning
Review questions to assess understanding
Two A3 revision worksheets and a powerpoint designed for Foundation level triple Chemistry students.
The revision worksheet contains recall questions with supporting diagrams and a list of key definitions with space for pupils to fill in the key terms.
A lesson/ series of lessons recapping the process of electrolysis, understanding how to predict the products when molten ionic compounds are electrolysed and understanding how to apply the series of rules concerning the products of aqueous ionic solutions. The lesson features:
A question grid based on previous learning from topic 4 (extraction of metals, reactivity series, acid reactions, electrolysis)
Basic recap questions looking at the process of electrolysis and labelling an electrolysis cell
-Step-by-step simplified recall practice looking at what is formed at the positive and negative electrodes for molten ionic compounds
Summary slides that explain to students the rules for predicting the products of electrolysis at the positive and negative electrode if the ionic compound is dissolved in solution. This is accompanied by simplified recall practice looking at what is formed at the positive and negative electrodes so students gain confidence in applying the rules to any substance
A recap of how ions are produced.
Instructions for how to complete the required practical looking at the electrolysis of aqueous solutions, including a blank and completed results table for pupil self-assessment
Past paper review questions
A KS3 lesson looking at the difference between atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures, how to represent elements as symbols and interpreting the numbers of atoms and elements in a chemical compound. The lesson features:
-An engaging starter task using a video to ascertain students prior ideas around what elements are (Daniel Radcliffe singing 'the elements song')
-Key term and definition match
- Quick multiple choice questions to assess student understanding
- A task using sweets to model atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures including an opportunity for students to explain their arrangements
- A worksheet requiring students to recognise atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures
-An activity to help students recognise element symbols on the periodic table
An activity to practice recognising numbers of atoms and elements in chemical formulae
A lesson to describe the Earth's early atmosphere and present day atmosphere together with explanations for changes in the composition of the atmosphere.
The lesson includes:
A card sort to accompany a video looking at developments in the Earth's atmosphere
A storyboard task with descriptions
A cartoon strip learning mat activity that students can annotate individually/ work in groups to explain changes in Earth's atmosphere
Past paper questions with answers animated into the powerpoint
Lesson looking at describing the greenhouse effect and explaining how this causes global warming.
The lesson features:
An exam-style question starter sheet on the formation of the atmosphere
Group activity labelling a storyboard on the formation of the atmosphere
Images to promote discussion on what the greenhouse effect is and how it is caused
Hidden drawing on global warming
Engaging video link looking at the effects of climate change
Paired teaching cards on methane and carbon dioxide gases
True/ false review
Silent debate on issues surrounding climate change (instructions on powerpoint)
Bags of content that would easily cover a double lesson!
A fully resourced lesson bundle for all AQA Triple Chemistry paper 2 topics:
Topic 6 - rates of reaction
Topic 7 - organic chemistry
Topic 8 - chemical analysis
Topic 9 - chemistry of the atmosphere
Topic 10 - using resources.
Suitable for foundation Triple candidates although can easily be adapted for Trilogy by deleting triple only content
The bundle features lessons/ double lessons
with user-friendly slides, links to videos and suggestions of modelling tasks/ teaching activities, regular assessment questions throughout the powerpoints to check understanding with animated answers and word documents with exam-style questions and answers for most lessons. There are also separate lessons and assessment resources for the required practicals in Topics 6-10
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A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the energy transfer in neutralisation required practical. The lesson looks at the method involved in the required practical and how this might be adapted for a range of different chemical reactions, along with how to estimate the point of neutralisation from a graph of results
Lesson features include:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (properties of ionic compounds, isotopes, exothermic reactions, energy reaction profiles, history of the atom, ionic formula and conservation of mass )
A slide recapping the idea of exothermic reactions and energy reaction profile in an engaging context using a ‘sherbet lemon’ model
A series of slides prompting students to think about how to measure the energy transferred in a chemical reaction and the apparatus/ method used.
Slides guiding students through the required practical method, variables for the experiment, a ready-made results table to populate and instructions on how to plot and extrapolate data from the graph to calculate the exact point of neutralisation
A table with animated answers helping pupils to understand the range of chemical reactions the method could be used with and the variables that could be investigated for each
A host of short review questions looking at applying the required practical method to a different chemical reaction, analysing data and suggesting improvements to the apparatus used in the required practical
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A review sheet with prompt images that could be used as a short recap of the method used in the required practical in subsequent lessons