Lesson 1: Communities and Food Chains Perfect for: GCSE (KS4) | AQA Combined Science Trilogy Topic: B7 Ecology — Lesson 1: Communities, Food Chains & Food Webs (All Abilities) Engaging recall-based Do Now to reactivate prior knowledge (osmosis, transpiration, communicable disease, limiting factors, blood glucose regulation) Lesson 1: Communities and Food Chains Clear breakdown of ecosystems, communities, populations, habitats & biomes using visuals and modelling Introduction to energy flow, photosynthesis as the energy source, producers, consumers and trophic levels Misconception tackling (e.g. arrows in food chains do not mean “is eaten by” but show energy transfer) Explains energy losses across trophic levels with linked 3-mark exam question + mark scheme Includes decomposers + introduction to niches with real-life examples Short retrieval checks (MWB) throughout for assessment for learning Plenary exam questions reinforcing key vocabulary and command words Sets up further lessons on interdependence, abiotic/biotic factors, and ecosystem regulation What’s Included Fully editable PowerPoint lesson Knowledge checks + interactive MWB tasks Exam practice with mark schemes Real-world case context (Yellowstone wolves) Tier-accessible scaffolding + challenge stretch Literacy + key terminology emphasis Mapped to AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8464): B7.1 Ecology overview B7.2 Levels of organisation B7.3 Food chains & food webs

Exam Board: AQA Combined Science Trilogy Topic: B7 Ecology — Lesson 2 Overview This lesson introduces interdependence, food webs, and competition within ecosystems, building directly from Lesson 1’s focus on communities and food chains. Students explore how population changes affect ecosystem stability and practise applying ecological concepts to exam-style scenarios. Key Content Covered • Interdependence & food webs • Stable communities & ecosystem balance • Competition (animals + plants) and limited resources • Real case study — Yellowstone wolves • Linked prior knowledge retrieval (niche, decomposers, energy transfer) Lesson Features • Do Now retrieval & MWB checks • Guided modelling using food webs • Exam-style extended responses (4-mark ecology Q) • Literacy and key vocabulary focus • Cross-links to B4 and B6 specification content Specification Links Aligned with AQA Combined Science B7: • Interdependence & trophic interactions • Competition for limited resources • Ecosystem stability & population change Ideal For • GCSE teaching (Higher & Foundation) • Revision and intervention • Cover-ready delivery

Exam Board: AQA Combined Science Trilogy Topic: B7 Ecology — Lesson 3 Overview This lesson introduces how abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors influence organism survival, competition and population size. Students then explore adaptations in animals and plants, using real ecological examples and exam-focused language. Key Content Covered • Abiotic vs biotic factors and definitions • Limiting factors and photosynthesis link • Competition revisited (plants & animals) • Animal & plant adaptations with case examples • Exam response scaffolding + indicative content Lesson Features • Retrieval Do Now & MWB checks • Real case studies (e.g., pathogens, invasive species, desert plants) • Vocabulary + technical exam phrasing • Crossover links to B4 (photosynthesis) & B6 (inheritance) • Suitable for Foundation and Higher tier students Specification Links Aligned with AQA Combined Science B7: • Factors affecting ecosystems and populations • Adaptations for survival & competition • Influence of biotic/abiotic conditions Ideal For • GCSE teaching • Revision/intervention • Cover-ready lessons

Exam Board: AQA Combined Science Trilogy Topic: B7 Ecology — Lesson 4 (Required Practical) Overview This lesson covers the Required Practical on ecology sampling, focusing on the use of quadrats and transects to investigate plant distribution and abundance. Students link ecological factors to sampling data and practise applying variables, method writing and exam skills. Key Content Covered • Abundance vs distribution definitions • Independent, dependent and control variables • Hypothesis-testing and field sampling decisions • Scaling data, calculating mean & sampling accuracy Lesson Features • Retrieval Do Now • Practical scenario + method writing • Table construction + data interpretation • Link to abiotic/biotic factors & competition • Printed exam questions for assessment Specification Links Aligned with AQA Combined Science B7: • Required Practical — Ecology sampling • Investigating abiotic influence on populations • Working Scientifically: variables, data & evaluation Ideal For • GCSE practical lessons • Fieldwork preparation • Exam practice & revision • Cover lessons (with printed questions)

**Lesson for both Combined and Triple AQA Physics: ** This lesson introduces Ohm’s Law and the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors. Students recall current, voltage, and resistance before exploring how a fixed resistor shows a proportional I–V relationship. They then learn why components like filament bulbs, LDRs, thermistors, and diodes do not obey Ohm’s Law, focusing on how temperature or light affects resistance. Students interpret I–V graphs, explain resistance changes using particle ideas, and practise setting up circuits to measure component characteristics. **This lesson includes: ** Strong retrieval practice Clear explanation of Ohm’s Law Strong focus on misconceptions Exam preparation built in High challenge but well scaffolded **Aimed to hit the following spec points: ** 4.2.2.3 Resistance Students understand resistance as the opposition to current. Investigate how current varies with potential difference for a resistor, filament lamp, and diode (qualitative). Describe I–V characteristics for ohmic and non-ohmic components. 4.2.2.4 Resistors Current through a resistor (at constant temperature) is directly proportional to potential difference. Recognise and interpret linear and non-linear I–V graphs. 4.2.2.5 Filament Lamp, Diode Describe how resistance changes in a filament lamp as temperature increases. Explain how a diode allows current in one direction only. 4.2.1 Current, potential difference and resistance

A KS4 lesson aimed at a mixed ability/Middle ability (MAP) pupils. Students learn what enzymes are, how they work, and their role in digestion. The lesson introduces enzymes as biological catalysts, explains the lock and key model, and explores the roles of amylase, protease, lipase, and bile in the digestive system. From AQA GCSE Combined Science / Biology (Digestive Enzymes): Enzymes catalyse specific reactions in living organisms due to the shape of their active site. Use of the lock and key theory as a simplified model to explain enzyme action. Recall of enzyme production sites and functions: Amylase (carbohydrase) breaks down starch into sugars. Proteases break down proteins into amino acids. Lipases break down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids. Understanding of word equations for enzyme reactions (no symbols required). Digestive enzymes convert food into small soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Bile functions: neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats to increase surface area for lipase.

A full (1 hours) lesson based on the AQA spec for B2: Organisation (4.2.2.1 The human digestive system) A 5 Question: Starter/Do Now Labelling the Digestive system Function of the parts of the digestive system Adaptation of the digestive system Exam Practice AfL MWB Knowledge Checks This lesson is to be served as the second lesson in the topic, following an intro lesson on the organisaion of the human body. The lesson proceding this will dive into details surronding enzymes, the enzymes involved in digestion and the food test RP. Please do leave feedback and ideas for improvements!