Worksheet could be used a t KS3 or low ability KS4. Top table just requires ticks in the appropriate boxes or differentiate by getting some students to give examples of cells as well. The bottom table needs functions added. There is a second sheet with 3 copies of the functions so that you can differentiate for those students needing the extra support.
Watch video (find on YouTube) whilst answering questions. Approx. 20 mins video, so 20 questions roughly one a minute. Can be answered on the sheet with (mostly) single word answers. Aimed at KS3. Answer sheet included.
Consolidation activity / plenary / revision / science literacy / compiled with GCSE AQA Trilogy in mind. Made to fit on one page A4 exercise book. Cut into 12 squares and resort to match words to meanings. Correct version supplied.
These are the 6 specialised cells identified in the AQA Trilogy specification. Work sheet contains pictures and names just add functions. Differentiate by asking some students to identify the adaptations that help the cells carry out those functions.
This uses an AQA exam question. I broke this question down to explain how I would go about answering it. I always say how important it is to study the information at the beginning of a question before you read any part of the question itself.
I show slide 1 then I get students to divide a page in their exercise book into 4 quarters and draw a quick sketch diagram of each cell with room below to write. Then I get them to identify the parts of each cell and also what each cell is missing.
Then we discuss what each cell is and identify the reasons for each answer. Working through the next 5 slides adding to their notes if they miss any important points.
Lastly I go through the questions themselves on the last slide.
Parts 1.1 and 1.2 will already have been identified but there may still be discussion around the reasons used.
Part 1.3 may need revision of the terms eukaryote and prokaryote before the answer can be found.
Part 1.4 uses the equation for magnification. Encourage students to use calculators to check their answers. (Calculators are allowed in science exams so why not use them as it is so easy to make silly mistakes under the pressure of exams.)
May need to revise relative sizes of millimetres and micrometres.
Written for GCSE AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 Higher.
Useful in a mixed ability class for the students who will be doing higher paper. All information is on the work sheet so higher students should be able to work through this on their own or with little teacher input.
Need to have completed work on photosynthesis and limiting factors.
Mark scheme included.
I always found that students struggle to draw predator/prey sketch graphs. So this is a half done graph for them to complete. The worksheet has 2 identical pages so that you can print 2 pages on one to give A5 worksheets if you need to.
The powerpoint also includes a pyramid of biomass. I haven’t included this on the worksheet because it is good practise to be able to draw the levels correctly using a sharp pencil and ruler!
This is a worksheet (slide 1) and a series of stimulus pictures. Make up a story to suit your class. They need to know that the species is peafowl; males are peacocks; females are peahens; offspring are peachicks. The peacocks ‘strut their stuff’ in order to gain the attention of the peahens. Then the peahen is soley responsible for bringing up the chicks.
Students then write their own version on the storyboard ws. Credit should be given for correct use of scientific key words.
Written for AQA Trilogy but would suit any GCSE or KS3.
Slide 1 - Learning framework
Slide 2 - starter sentences
Slide 3 - Key words for this lesson. Can be printed off for those that need the spellings. More able students can use it as the basis for a mind map.
Slide 4 - looks at a food chain
Slide 5 - series of food chains forming a web, can print this slide off so that students can add arrows and labels
Slides 6 - builds up the web
Slide 7 - contains a link to short video identifying predators and prey
Slide 8 - link to BBC animation showing ladybirds and aphids
Slide 9 - shows a typical predator/prey graph to use as a visual aid for teaching.
Written for AQA Trilogy but would suit any GCSE.
Slide 1 - Learning framework
Slide 2 - Key words for this lesson. Can be printed off for those that need the spellings. More able students can use it as the basis for a mind map.
Slide 3 - details of decay
Slides 4-6 - stimulus photos for discussion
Slide 7 - conditions needed for decay
Slide 8 - carbon cycle diagram
Slide 9 - link to activity
Slides 10-11 - four multiple choice questions
Slides 12-22 - True or false questions
Slide 23 - two 1mark questions.
Worksheet with a 6mark question can be printed A4 or A5 by printing 2 to a page.
This is a useful standby for when you plan to go outside to do quadrats, then you can’t because it is raining! Or the daisies you were planning to count have just been mowed half an hour before you planned to go outside. Both these scenarios have happened to me. Having said that it is a useful way of teaching how to carry out random sampling even on a nice day!
I’m always amazed how near to the real answer the sampling gets.
The answer is 250 worms.
Written for AQA Trilogy but would suit any GCSE.
Slide 1 - Learning framework
Slide 2 - Key words for this lesson. Can be printed off for those that need the spellings. More able students can use it as the basis for a mind map.
Slide 3 - diagram of water cycle
Slide 4 - description of water cycle
Slide 5 - a different diagram of water cycle
Slide 6 - description of main processes
Slide 7 - two multiple choice questions
Slide 8 - a 2mark question
This is my mindmap of the AQA Biology GCSE specification Section 7 Ecology.
I did it for myself when the new spec. 9-1 levels came out. It was my way of identifying how this spec. was structured. It can also be used for the Biology section of Trilogy, although the numbers may not match, the headings will. If a section is in higher tier only it is labelled with (H) and if it is only on the Biology and not the Trilogy it is labelled with (B).
Although I did this primarily for myself, some of my colleagues are also using them and when I left my folder open on the desk I found students asking me for copies. I do not claim that they would suit everyone but if you have that sort of need for a complete overview, in a non-linear format, it might suit you. I have some students using it as a tick list, others highlighting the sections they want to cover for revision. I have even offered it at the start of a topic to certain students. Some would be frightened off by it, so you have to be selective.
Each mindmap also contains the keywords and their definitions that now need to be learned in the relevant section. There is also a free resource that is a summary of the whole Biology specification.
Instructions for setting up practical to show osmosis to GCSE classes. Use small beakers rather than boiling tubes. I’ve done both but sweets get stuck in boiling tubes. Take care not to leave for too long. One lesson until the next works fine. Store covered in a cool place to reduce risk of microbial growth. Any jelly sweets will work but my classes preferred teddies although Minions were quite popular!
My GCSE classes always like this. If you use good quality free range eggs they will last longer. The shells take longer to dissolve than cheap ones but the membranes are stronger so less likely to break. The syrup can be reused as often as needed for one set of eggs. It will get thinner but it still works. When the eggs are past their best dispose of them and the syrup as well. Each year when you teach this you will need a new set of eggs and a new jar of golden syrup.
Useful for keeping track of which chemicals you have put in a dimple tray. Have a supply to hand.
Also good for drawing what was seen down a microscope for a series of slides.