I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Biology GCSE, particularly the 'Infection & Response' SoW for the higher tier.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first part of this lesson is a recap on the plant diseases students should have already covered within the 'infection & response' unit - rose black stop and tobacco mosaic virus. Plants will then be asked to come up with a brainstorm of the symptoms plants may exhibit when they are diseased. Once pupils have discussed this and tried to come up with some ideas you can reveal some of the common symptoms on the PowerPoint slide, along with images and examples.
The next slide looks at the ways in which plant diseases can be diagnosed, from gardening manuals to monoclonal antibody testing kits.
The next activity focuses on the role of certain minerals in the growth and development of plants, firstly students will draw a table in their book and then they will given a slip of information about one of the mineral ions - nitrates, magnesium or potassium. Pupils will need to walk around the room or swap these slips of paper with people on the same table as them to complete the table, they can then assess their work.
The final part of the lesson focuses on plant defence responses, firstly pupils will be shown some diagrams of plants and their defence methods and will be asked to think > pair > share the potential ways plants can defend against disease.
Pupils will then be given a card sort with different plant defence mechanisms, students need to sort these into three different categories - physical barrier, chemical barrier, defence against herbivore. Once completed pupils can then assess their work using the answers provided.
The final task is an exam-style question on what they have learnt that lesson, pupils of higher ability may want to complete these questions in silence at the backs of their book. Pupils can then self or peer-assess their work.
Plenary activity is to write 3 key words, 2 facts and 1 question about what pupils have learnt that lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Chemical Analysis’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
Lessons include:
Pure substances & mixtures
Analysing chromatograms
Testing for gases
Testing for positive and negative ions
Investigative analysis
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Organic Chemistry’ SoW.
Firstly, pupils will need to complete a ‘True or False’ activity on carbohydrates, they will then be shown how polysaccharides are made from monosaccharides via a condensation reaction, as an example of a natural polymer. Pupils will also be provided with information on the structure of starch and glycogen ad how this relates to the function of these two polymers.
Another example of a natural polymer are polypeptides/proteins which are made up of the monomers - amino acids. Again, pupils will be shown how a condensation reaction occurs to link together many amino acids molecules in a long polypeptide chain.
Pupils will now complete a ‘Quick Check’ task to test their knowledge of what they learned so far this lesson, the answers to the questions will be provided in the PowerPoint for students to assess their own work.
The next part of the lesson will focus on DNA as a natural polymer. Firstly, pupils will need to order the structures given in order of size - DNA, gene, chromosome, nucleus, cell. Next, pupils will watch a video on the structure and function of DNA and will need to answer a set of questions. This work can then be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint. A diagram is then shown highlighting some of the key structural features of a double-helix DNA molecule, which pupils need to know and remember.
The final task is a ‘Quick Check’ activity on the structure & function of DNA, students will need to answer the questions in their books and then peer or self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write three quiz questions for pupils to test their peers knowledge of the topic learned in the lesson today.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes, electrolysis and energy changes’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The first task is a recap on the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions, students will need to complete a fill-in-the blank task which can then be self-assessed using the answers provided.
Next, students are introduced to reaction profiles with a diagram to demonstrate what is happening during an exothermic chemical reaction. Students will then be asked to use mini-whiteboards to draw a reaction profile for an endothermic reaction, they can check their ideas using the answer provided in the PowerPoint. The next slide shows the reaction profiles for both an endothermic and exothermic reaction, as well as an explanation of the energy changes which take place during these types of reaction. Pupils can take notes from this slide, including sketching a diagram of the two reaction profiles.
The next task is for pupils to complete is a progress check to assess their understanding of what they have learned so far, once complete pupils can self-assess or peer-assess their work using the answers provided.
Next, pupils will watch a video on activation energy, they will need to answer a set of questions using the information provided in the video. Pupils can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided in the PowerPoint.
The next part of the lesson focuses on bond breaking/making and bond energies. Firstly, students are shown (using a diagram to demonstrate) what happens, in terms of energy changes, when bonds are broken or when bonds form during a chemical reaction. Students can then summarise what they have learnt so far by completing a fill-in-the-blank task, this task can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, students are introduced to bond energies and are shown how to calculate the energy change for a chemical reaction using a worked example. Students will then need to complete a worksheet on bond energy calculations. The mark scheme for the worksheet is included in the PowerPoint for pupils to self-assess or peer-assess their work.
The plenary task requires pupils to identify a WWW and EBI from the lesson, listing what went well/what they have fully understood and what they could do better next time.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes, electrolysis and energy changes’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Students will firstly be shown a set of images, students will have to decide which are examples of an alkali/base and which are examples of acids. Next, students will watch a video on acids/alkalis and will need to answer a set of questions, after which they can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on pH, students are firstly reminded of the importance of the pH scale and will then need to complete an investigation to identify the pH of different substances. Students can use the practical sheet provided to complete this task, including the results table to record their results.
The next part of the lesson looks at the difference between concentrated and dilute solutions, in terms of particles and in terms of risk/hazards when handling concentrated acids. Students will then need to summarise what they have learned with a fill-in-the-blank task, this work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The final part of the lesson pupils will focus on the difference between strong and weak acids in terms of ionisation. Students will also look at how pH values are related to the concentration of H+ ions, students will need to copy and complete a table to show the concentration of H+ ions per mol dm3 for each pH value, this work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is a ‘Pick a plenary’ task - pupils will need to either write a twitter message to summarise what they have learnt or write 5 quiz questions on the topics studied in the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 11 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Cells’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
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Lessons included:
1. Cells
2. Specialised cells
3. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
4. Microscopy
5. Chromosomes
6. Mitosis
7. Stem cells
8. Diffusion
9. Osmosis
10. Active Transport
11. Exchanging materials
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, extra challenge tasks and 6-mark exam questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Homeostasis’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
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Lessons include:
1. Principles of homeostasis
2. The human nervous system
3. Reflex actions
4. The endocrine system
5. The control of blood glucose levels
6. Treating diabetes
7. The role of negative feedback
8. Human reproduction
9. The menstrual cycle
10. Controlling fertility
11. Infertility treatments
12. REQUIRED PRACTICAL: Reaction Time
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the 'Inheritance, Variation & Evolution’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
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Lessons include:
Types of reproduction
Variation
Meiosis
Selective Breeding
Genetic Engineering
Inherited Disorders
Gene Expression & Inheritance
DNA & Protein Synthesis
Ethics of gene technologies
Evolution by natural selection
Evidence of evolution
Evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria
Evolution & Extinction
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 6 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the 'Rates of Reaction’ unit for the NEW AQA Chemistry Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
Lessons include:
Rates of reaction
Reversible reactions
Rate of reaction: The effect of catalysts
Rate of reaction: The effect of concentration & pressure
Dynamic equilibrium & altering conditions
Collision Theory: The effect of temperature & surface area.
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, extra challenge questions and exam questions plus more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical calculations’ SoW and specifically designed for the higher tier GCSE chemistry students.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with students learning how to calculate the number of moles of a gas when you know the molar gas volume. Students will then work their way through a set of questions using this calculation, for latter questions students will need to rearrange the equation. This work can then be assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next part of the lesson focuses on calculating the masses of gaseous reactants and products, firstly students are shown a worked example. The next task is for pupils to watch a video, using which they should answer a set of questions. Once this task has been completed students shoudl mark their work using the answers provided.
Using the formula they have learnt whilst watching the video, they should now complete a set of questions on a specific chemical reaction - this required students to calculate the volume of gases produced or the mass of a reactant needed to produce a certain amount of a gas product. This work can be self-assessed using the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
The next task is a further set of problems requiring students to calculate the volume of gaseous reactants or products given a balanced symbol equation for a chemical reaction.
The last task requires pupils to come up with 4 exam questions on the topic of gas volumes, they should also include a mark scheme for each of the questions. Once they have competed their questions they should swap with the person next to them and complete their partners questions, these can be self or peer-assessed using the mark schemes they have written.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a WhatsApp message to their friends to tell them what they have learnt about this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a definition of homeostasis and pupils will then need to discuss in pairs the conditions that they think need to be controlled by the body. This leads on to revealing these factors and looking specifically at the way in which water can be lost and gained by the body. Pupils the complete a couple of questions on the topic.
Next is a focus on temperature control in the body, pupils need to consider what might happen if the temperature rises too high or falls too low and come up with ideas about how this might affect the body. Having already covered enzymes hopefully they might have some clue about what might happen. You can reveal the answer and pupils then need to complete a small worksheet to summarise these ideas.
Next pupils are challenged to think about what parts of our body control our reactions, pupils are asked to complete a challenge which gets them thinking about coordination and they will then write down any organs they think were involved with this process. The nervous and endocrine system are then introduced, pupils will need to copy and complete summary sentences to describe the main structures and functions of these two systems in controlling the body.
Pupils will then complete an exam question on the differences between nervous and endocrine control, the mark scheme is provided for pupils to mark their work.
Finally pupils look at the role of negative feedback in the body and how this works with the example of temperature control. Pupils will need to sketch a simple graph into their books and use labels provided to demonstrate how this process occurs. Again, the finished diagram is included so pupils can assess their own work.
A plenary activity is to complete an exit card listing key words, facts and to pose a question about the work covered in the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Earth’s Atmosphere’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Firstly, students are shown how to ammonia produced in the Haber process is reacted with different acids to form different ammonium compounds before being used in fertilisers.
Firstly, students will investigate how to produce ammonium sulphate in the lab - they will be provided with a practical worksheet which they will need to work their way through in pairs. This involves a titration, which they should have carried out before, their results can be recorded in the table provided on the worksheet.
Next, pupils will watch a video on the production and use of fertilisers - using the information provided int he video a set of questions needs to be answered. This work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, pupils will be given a set of information about how fertilisers are made in the lab compared to being made by chemical industry. Using this information students will need to complete a comparison table which focuses on starting materials, equipment, safety, yield and running costs. This work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task requires pupils to write three quiz questions to test their peers knowledge on what they have learned during the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson starts by recapping on the role of negative feedback systems in homoeostasis, pupils will need to complete a flow diagram to demonstrate how a negative feedback system works. This can be completed in their books and marked using the answers provided.
The next part of the lesson focuses on thyroxine and adrenaline, pupils are reminded of the roles of each of these hormones and they will then be given some extra information (provided) using which they will need to answers some questions on the topic. Detailed answers are provided for these questions so that pupils can check their work by either peer or self-assessment.
The next activity is a ‘who am I?’ task, pupils will have covered a range of hormones by this point and will now be given a set of descriptions about different hormones, they can discuss with their partners and try to identify the names of each of them. Once completed this work can be assessed.
The final task is an exam question about hormones, with the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is for pupils to write a text message to a friend describing what they have learnt in the lesson today!
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 9 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Organisation’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
1. Plants tissues & organs
2. Photosynthesis
3. Products of photosynthesis
4. The rate of photosynthesis (limiting factors)
5. Making the most of photosynthesis
6. Aerobic Respiration
7. Anaerobic Respiration
8. The response to exercise
9. Metabolism and the liver
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, extra challenge tasks, exam-style questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 12 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Organisation’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
1. Principles of organisation
2. Enzymes
3. The human digestive system
4. Digestive enzymes
5. The heart
6. The blood
7. Blood vessels
8. Helping the heart
9. Breathing & gas exchange
10. Plant tissues & organs
11. Transport in plants
12. Evaporation & transpiration
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, mid-lesson progress checks, extra challenge tasks, 6-mark exam questions and more than one opportunity, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 15 lessons which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Ecology’ unit for the NEW AQA Biology Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
Classification
New systems of classification
Communities
Distribution of organisms
Competition
Adaptations
Feeding relationships
Recycling materials (water cycle)
Carbon cycle
The human population explosion
Air pollution
Water pollution
Deforestation & peat destruction
Global warming & the impact of change
Maintaining biodiversity
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Molecules & Matter’ unit for the NEW AQA Physics Specification.
Visit https://www.swyftresources.com/ for discounted bundles, and a huge range of FREE science resources!
Lessons include:
Atoms & Radiation
The Development of the Nuclear Model
Radioactive Decay
Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation
Half-life & Radioactivity
Nuclear Radiation & Medicine
Nuclear Fission & Nuclear Fusion
Dangers of Radiation
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Earth’s Atmosphere’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
Pupils will firstly come up with a mind map of ideas about why water is such an important resource, they can discuss with their partner and write their ideas in their books. Some of the reasons can then be revealed via the PowerPoint presentation and pupils can assess their work - making corrections where necessary.
Pupils are then shown a quick recap of the stages involved in the water cycle, before beginning to look at the treatment of fresh water and purification of salt water. Students will be given a worksheet of questions, around the room will be information sheet on how fresh water is turned into potable, drinking water and how sea water is purified. Pupils will need to read the information posters to answer their questions, this work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
The next part of the lesson will focus on waste water treatment, pupils will watch a video on the steps involved with sewage treatment. Pupils will answer a set of questions whilst watching the video, this work can then be self-assessed using the answers provided.
The final task is for pupils to complete an exam-style question on this topic, they can answer in their books and either self or peer assess using the mark scheme provided.
Finally, pupils will be given a set of answers, they will need to come up with questions which match these answers.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Infection & Response’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson firstly begins by looking at what monoclonal antibodies are and how they are produced, using a flow diagram the first slide goes through these details. The next slide is the images from the flow diagram but no description of what is happening, pupils need to match the statements to the correct part of the process. This can then be assessed.
The next part of the lesson focuses on the uses of monoclonal antibodies, firstly pupils are given a set of questions about pregnancy tests which they will need to answer using a video. This can then be assessed using the answers provided.
Pupils are then given a table/asked to draw a table in their book for the different uses of monoclonal antibodies. Pupils will then need to use posters which can be positioned around the room or on desks to fill this table in.
The final activity is a card sort - pupils are given statements about the uses of monoclonal antibodies which are either advantages or disadvantages, pupils will need to write these statements into the correct column in their books. Once finished they can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
The plenary activity is for pupils to choose two questions to answer from a list about the topic of the lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This homework activity is designed for the KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 B1.1 Module on ‘Cells’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension/revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know @swift_science_education or swift.education.uk@gmail.com, any feedback would be appreciated :)