Useful for less able students who struggle to draw axes and identify where to put the numbers. Don’t be put off by the formatting on the preview, it downloads and prints off fine.

This is my mindmap of the AQA 8461 GCSE specification. Use it as you will. 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). I keep one for each class I teach and just tick them off as I finish. I’ve found it extremely useful for keeping track of my overall progress through the spec. Also useful for certain students who wanted to see what was going to be on each paper. Sections 1-4 provide the content for paper 1, sections 5-7 paper 2. I then took each section and did a separate mindmap for each. 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. If you would like to see the more detailed versions of each section they can be found in my TES Biolojolly’s shop. These also contain the keywords and their definitions that now need to be learned in the relevant sections.

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!

Useful starter activity. 3 tables on a sheet.

This is not an original idea. Plenty to read about it on-line. But I put this slide together to use as a template. Just change the word in the middle and print off.

Lesson slides, instructions and templates to sit under a petri dish. Written for a classes doing GCSE AQA Trilogy.

Powerpoint slide to add into any lesson presentation on scale / microscopy / orders of magnitude / standard form. Also 4 on a page to print off on labels to be stuck inside exercise books for easy reference. Formatting looks a bit off on the preview but it prints off fine.

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.

Print as 2 to 1 page to get 2xA5 copies or print as is which will give you 2xA4 copies. You can change the heading to suit any purpose. With this heading I get students to draw onto the body all the ways they can think off for pathogens to enter the body. Inevitably some will draw penises (of varying sizes) onto their body. Rather than making a big deal of it, embrace it! Responses like, “Excellent I can see that your body is male. How do pathogens enter a penis?” This usually stumps those trying to shock their female teachers. It can also be a lead into a useful conversation about sexually transmitted infections STI’s.

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.

I wrote this song in the shower one morning. It just came to me. (Sing to the tune of Frere Jacques.) At that time I had a particularly joyful class who I thought would like it, as a bit of fun. However I have since used it with classes of all ages and all abilities. We have also done very simple actions. ( Not as popular with the older ones.) I have even witnessed students mouthing the words during an exam! I hope you have as much fun with it as I have done over the years.

8 topic consolidation activity sheets. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 in mind.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. I did this originally for an AQA GCSE spec. now removed but may be useful to someone on a different specification.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 in mind.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written for AQA Biology GCSE Required Practical (not on Trilogy).

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 in mind.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 in mind.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 1 in mind.

Topic consolidation activity sheet. Cut out, rearrange, stick onto A3 sheet, add diagrams and/or annotations to justify your arrangement. Written with AQA Trilogy Biology paper 2 in mind.