Lessons from the 9A unit in the new Exploring Science scheme of work all about genetics and evolution.
Including lessons for:
9Aa Environmental Variation
9Ab Inherited Variation
9Ac DNA
9Ac DNA Discovery
9Ad Genes and Extinction
9Ae Natural Selection
*One lesson includes a link to a video on ActiveTeach but could be replaced with another available video.
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Genetics and evolution contains 10 comprehensive lessons designed to help GCSE students develop their understanding of the history of genetics, theories of evolution, the evidence for evolution, extinction, and classification systems through engaging activities and differentiated instruction.
These lessons cover the content from the AQA 4.6.3 The development of understanding of genetics and evolution unit, 4.6.4 Classification and AQA GCSE Biology OUP Scheme B15, Genetics and evolution chapter.
The lessons include all necessary resources, making them easy to implement in your classroom. Additionally, the editable text allows you to adjust the duration and depth of the activities based on your students’ progress and time constraints.
Each editable presentation contains:
● Lesson Prep and Technician Notes: Guidance notes for teachers to prepare the lesson and technician instructions.
● Bell Work / Do Now Activity: Engaging task to activate student prior knowledge and set the stage for the lesson.
● Clear Lesson Aim, Objectives & Success Criteria: Explicitly defined learning targets to guide students and measure their understanding.
● Discussion Slides: Thought-provoking prompts and questions to introduce the topic.
● Information Slides with Levelled Content: Varied levels of information catering to diverse learning styles and abilities.
● Differentiated Activities (Group Work): Collaborative tasks in small groups to encourage active participation and enhance learning.
● Practical Activity (if appropriate): Hands-on experience to apply concepts and gain practical skills.
● Differentiated Questions with Answers: Comprehensive questions with accompanying solutions for self-assessment and note-taking.
● Student Worksheets/Handouts (if appropriate): Printable materials for students to complete and gather notes.
● Homework Activities (if appropriate): Varied homework tasks to cater to individual needs and promote independent learning.
Aimed at a mixed ability class covering content Grades 1-9, with three levels of demand to accommodate different learning styles and levels:
● Level 1: Low demand
● Level 2: Standard demand
● Level 3: High demand
If you require more assistance, please contact me at-
info@cmgsciencelessons.com
Comprehension and additional task exercises pages 42 and 43 from Next Page Science KS3 Complete. Accompanying PowerPoint and word searches available for free from the website.
This exercise covers:
• What to evolve means
• Genetic changes can happen naturally or due to the environment e.g. radiation
• Survival of the fittest as those traits that help survival are passed on and become more common in the population
• Extinction of a species
• Charles Darwin as the scientist credited with first presenting the idea
• The fact that evolution is still happening today
• Amazing WHAT? facts
Revision worksheet for the new Exploring Science 9A unit all about genetics and evolution.
*Intended to be printed as an A3 double sided worksheet - has learning outcomes on reverse side to check learning against.
*
During this fully resourced lesson on genetic engineering GCSE students work through a variety of tasks to develop their understanding of how organisms can be genetically engineered to obtain a desired characteristic.
This is the 4th lesson in a series of 7 and covers the content of -
-AQA Spec Ref 4.6.2.4 Genetic engineering from B6 Inheritance, variation, and evolution unit.
-AQA GCSE Biology OUP Scheme B14.4 Genetic engineering from B14 Variation and evolution chapter.
All resources are included, making it easy to run the lesson straight away. All text is editable, so you can adjust the depth, pace, or challenge to suit your class and the time you have available.
Aimed at a mixed ability class covering content 1-8.
-Level 1: Low demand
-Level 2: Standard demand
-Level 3: High demand
Presentation contains (41 slides)-
-Teacher and technician notes
-Bell work activity
-Clear lesson aims, objectives & success criteria.
-Information slides with differentiated content
-Differentiated activities (group work)
-Differentiated questions with answers for self-assessment
-Student worksheets / handouts
This lesson is also available as a digital worksheet, which is ideal for absent students to catch-up missed work, distance learning, home schooling, or independent study.
Genetic engineering Distance learning
If you require more assistance, please contact me at-
cmgeducationresources@gmail.com
This bundle contains the content for SEPARATE science students. It includes the B15 unit-Genetics and evolution. All lessons have been done in accordance to the specification requirements and have been pitched to a higher ability class. Videos have been embedded for ease of use, and printer friendly resources attached. Search the individual lessons for more information on the lesson content. Save 30% by purchasing this bundle :) Total = 10 lessons
Lesson 1-History of genetics
Lesson 2-Theories of evolution
Lesson 3-Accepting Darwin’s ideas
Lesson 4-Evolution and speciation
Lesson 5-Evidence for evolution
Lesson 6-Fossils and extinction
Lesson 7-More about extinction
Lesson 8-Antibiotic resistant bacteria
Lesson 9-Classification
Lesson 10-New systems of classification
Good luck with your lessons :)
Follow my TikTok and Instagram @biologywitholivia to see these notes in action. Any questions please email hello@biologywitholivia.co.uk.
DESCRIPTION
Drawing on my experience as a teacher and extensive analysis of past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports, I’ve created ‘model answer’ notes that cover every point on the AQA specification (including required practicals).
These notes are presented in an easy-to-use Q&A format. Colour coding, diagrams and a simple layout makes learning easy.
After each sub-topic, you’ll find a list of common mistakes that will help you beat those specific mark schemes.
Having refined these over the last 3 years alongside working as a teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the results they can achieve. I’m confident that they will be an invaluable tool to you.
TOPICS INCLUDED (GENETICS, POPULATIONS, EVOLUTION AND ECOSYSTEMS)
Inheritance
Populations
Evolution may lead to speciation
Populations in ecosystems
Required practical 12
Genetics, Inheritance & Evolution Revision Booklet – AQA GCSE Combined Science (B6 Topic).
Simplify your lesson planning and help your students master homeostasis with this print-and-go 17-page activity booklet!
This comprehensive and engaging digital resource is the perfect way to review the AQA GCSE B6 Genetics, Inheritance & Variation topic. Whether used for independent revision, homework, or cover lessons, this booklet supports students in consolidating key knowledge and applying it through targeted tasks.
What’s Inside:
This 17-page booklet covers all the core content from the AQA GCSE Combined Science B6 topic, including:
Sexual vs Asexual Reproduction
Meiosis
DNA & the genome
Genetic Inheritance
Genetic Inheritance (Punnett Square practice)
Inherited Disorders
Sex determination
Variation
Evolution
Selective Breeding
Genetic Engineering
Evidence for Evolution
Fossils
Extinction
Resistant Bacteria
Classification
Each page includes short, focused activities designed to reinforce learning and encourage retrieval practice.
Why Teachers Love This Booklet:
Reduces Workload: Just print and go – perfect for last-minute lessons, homework, or student catch-up.
Boosts Student Confidence: Helps learners recall key facts and make connections between concepts.
Flexible Use: Great for revision, classwork, homework, or cover lessons – no extra resources needed.
Supports Independent Learning: Students can complete it using class notes, textbooks, or online research.
Aligned to AQA Spec: Fully matched to the GCSE Combined Science Biology specification.
Teacher-Tested and Student-Approved:
I created this booklet after noticing how much my students struggled to retain content weeks after we’d covered it. These short, snappy worksheets made a huge difference – giving them all the key information in one place to revisit anytime.
Use this activity to model random mutations leading to biodiversity and then show how natural selection chooses the best adapted organisms for survival. The game consists of blank creature cards that students use to build features based on random mutations from dice rolls and 20 natural selection cards that choose which of the mutated creatures are fit to survive and which are destined for extinction. This is a 20-30 minute activity for 14 -15 years to reinforce evolutionary theory.
An exceptional set of powerpoints and accompanying resources to help you effectively teach and deliver the 9A unit. Resources have been built for varying abilities and all worksheets can be found for free on TES.
Exploring Science worksheets can also be purchased to accompany these powerpoints.
Happy Teaching!
This resource was made for the new AQA scheme of work for Triple Science Biology
Included are 18 lessons with full objectives and spec references (based on 1 hour lessons.) I have changed the order of teaching from the specification to help it flow a little better as well as including recap elements from earlier units.
Student booklet included with space for notes and exam questions this is 60 pages with 2 lined pages in the back for flexibility.
1. DNA and the genome
2. DNA structure
3. Reproduction and meiosis
4. Sexual and asexual reproduction
5. Genetic inheritance
6. Inherited disorders
7. Mendel and the understanding of genetics
8. Variation
9. Evolution and extinction
10. The Theory of Evolution and fossils
11. Speciation
12. Selective breeding
13. Genetic engineering
14. Cloning
15. Resistant bacteria
16. Classification
17. Summary lesson
18. Podcast activity
Feedback really appreciated :-)
Perfect lesson resource for KS3 Biology! A fully differentiated and resourced lesson that assists students in learning about how our characteristics are inherited. Students will describe the difference between dominant and recessive alleles, use a Punnett square to show how genes are inherited, and explain why offspring are not identical to their parents.
The resource includes a detailed and engaging lesson PowerPoint with differentiated activities and quizzes for students to complete. This resource is part of the Genes topic and has been created for the delivery of the AQA Activate 2 KS3 Science course. Also great for GCSE Science.
Included:
11 slides in total for the lesson PPT
This detailed revision resource covers the Genetics and Evolution topic from the AQA GCSE Combined Science Biology specification. Designed as a comprehension‑style activity, it provides clear and accessible revision notes followed by 15 exam‑style questions (2–6 marks) with a full mark scheme included.
Topics covered:
Fossils, fossil formation and evidence they provide for evolution
Reasons for gaps in the fossil record and how this affects scientific understanding
Causes of extinction including environmental change, invasive species and catastrophic events
Antibiotic resistance, natural selection in bacteria and MRSA
Classification systems including Linnaean hierarchy, binomial naming and the three‑domain model
Evolutionary trees, interpreting relationships and using DNA evidence
Case studies linking fossil evidence, environmental change and extinction events
What’s included:
A comprehensive Word document with structured revision notes, explanations and exam‑style comprehension questions
A separate Word document containing a complete mark scheme with model answers and clear mark allocations
A glossary of key scientific terms to support understanding and accessibility
Perfect for:
GCSE Combined Science Biology (suitable for both Foundation and Higher students)
Revision lessons, homework, intervention sessions or retrieval practice
Pre‑assessment preparation and independent learning
This is a revision mat for B15 Genetics and Evolution following the AQA GCSE 9-1 exam board, however there is an overlap with Edexcel and OCR syllabus. The revision mat follows the kerboodle scheme of work. It is perfect for end of year revision or preparation for end of topic test.
This resource contains 4 worksheets that can be used in class or as homework to enable your students practice what they have learnt in the classroom.
This pack includes:
Genetic Terminology
3 Punnett Square Worksheets containing higher questions
We have worksheets for the following topics in Biology Paper 2:
Homeostasis and Response
Homeostasis and The Nervous system
The Brain and Body Temperature – Triple
The Eye – Triple
Endocrine System and Negative Feedback
Blood Glucose and Diabetes
The Human Kidneys and Water Balance – Triple
Secondary Characteristics and The Menstrual Cycle
Contraception and IVF
Plant Hormones and Uses – Triple
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction and DNA
DNA structure, Protein Synthesis and Mutations – Triple
Genetic Terminology and Punnet Squares
Inherited Disorders and Sex Determination
Variation, Selective Breeding and Genetic Engineering
Evolution, Fossils, Extinction and Antibiotic Resistance
Cloning – Triple
Theory of Evolution and Speciation – Triple
The Understanding of Genetics: Mendel – Triple
Evolutionary Trees and Classification
Ecology
Biotic and Abiotic Factors, Adaptations, and Interdependence
Levels of Organisation and Carbon & Water Cycles
Biodiversity and Human Interactions
Trophic Levels and Pyramids of Biomass – Triple
Transfer of Biomass – Triple
Food Security, Farming and Sustainable Fishing – Triple
Please rate and review this resource. Thank you!
During this fully resourced lesson on evolution GCSE students work through a variety of tasks to develop their understanding of how evolution occurs through natural selection.
This is the 2nd lesson in a series of 7 and covers the content of the AQA Spec Ref- 4.6.2.2 Evolution from B6 Inheritance, variation, and evolution unit and the AQA GCSE Biology OUP Scheme B14.2 Evolution by natural selection from B14 Variation and evolution chapter.
All resources are included, making it easy to run the lesson straight away. All text is editable, so you can adjust the depth, pace, or challenge to suit your class and the time you have available.
Aimed at a mixed ability class covering content 1-8.
Level 1: Low demand
Level 2: Standard demand
Level 3: High demand
Presentation contains (29 slides)-
Teacher and technician notes
Bell work activity
Clear lesson aims, objectives & success criteria.
Information slides with differentiated content
Differentiated activities (group work)
Differentiated questions with answers for self-assessment
Student worksheets / handouts
This lesson is also available as a digital worksheet, which is ideal for absent students to catch-up missed work, distance learning, home schooling, or independent study.
Evolution Distance learning
If you require more assistance, please contact me at-
info@cmgsciencelessons.com
This is a book full of questions which is great to give to students to learn and revise. This can be used as a great source of revision or a homework task where students have to learn the answers and then they are tested on them next lesson. The Knowledge booklets contains the key scientific knowledge that has been formed in association with the 2016 onward, AQA specification. This key scientific Knowledge is the fundamental information that students will need to learn to apply to exam style questions.
A good starter, based around AQA's B1 unit 3. Covers: cloning, reproduction, genetic modification, evolution etc. Each definition links to a different keyword, so that theoretical the game &'loops&'; all the way around the class. Adapt the definitions according to pupils' ability, and add definitions depending on class size!
[Thanks for the comments - I have now converted it to a word file]
If you use this resource please let me know what you think! Print these slides off in colour and spread them around the room, students can then collect information from the sheet about the different genetically engineered organisms. I think this is a good activity to illustrate the wide variety of ways that organisms can be genetically engineered.
Lesson looking at the idea of evolution. Lots of areas for discussion here, the timeline and the Red Queen hypothesis can be used with strong questioning to really probe deep with a high set.
