Inheritance and Variation SEND Lesson KS3 Year 9

A complete, ready-to-teach inheritance and variation SEND lesson for KS3 Year 9 science. It includes a 19-slide PowerPoint, card sorts, tiered worksheets with answers and a full teacher guide.

This inheritance and variation lesson is written by a science teacher with a PhD in biosciences and 11+ years in the classroom. It is designed for SEN support pupils, nurture groups, lower-attaining KS3 classes and Entry Level learners, and covers the KS3 National Curriculum statements for this topic:

• Heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next.
• A simple model of chromosomes, genes and DNA in heredity, including the part played by Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin in the development of the DNA model.
• Differences between species; the variation between individuals within a species being continuous or discontinuous, to include measurement and graphical representation of variation.
• The variation between species and between individuals of the same species means some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection.
• Changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction.
• The importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks to preserve hereditary material.

What’s included

• PowerPoint with speaker notes: visual timetable, lesson tracker on every slide, one part per slide (cell, nucleus, chromosome, gene, DNA), syllable breakdowns, memory links and gestures
• Keyword mat with pictures
• Card Sort 1: match name, picture and job (15 cards)
• Card Sort 2: inherited or environmental?
• Three tiered worksheets (1, 2 and 3 stars) with no “low ability” labels
• Picture-supported exit tickets
• Teacher guide: lesson plan, adaptations for all four areas of need in the SEND Code of Practice, TA prompts, misconceptions, practical idea, full answers and mark scheme
• Editable Word and PowerPoint files, plus PDFs

Each part keeps the same colour on every slide, card and worksheet. Dyslexia-friendly fonts, low text load, original copyright-free diagrams, and tasks that do not rely on colour alone.

Also available from Dr Suleman Science: the matching inheritance and variation sensory story pack, symbol-supported resources and large print edition, or save with the bundle.

Last updated: October 2026.