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Michelle Heelis

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(based on 285 reviews)

Experienced science teacher - 15 years of teaching. Commissioned resource author. Copy editor. Prefer active student-led activities and so tend to design accordingly. Save yourself heaps of planning time, for as little as £1.00. Funds generated from the sales of resource helps pay for the software and apps used to create my resources.

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Experienced science teacher - 15 years of teaching. Commissioned resource author. Copy editor. Prefer active student-led activities and so tend to design accordingly. Save yourself heaps of planning time, for as little as £1.00. Funds generated from the sales of resource helps pay for the software and apps used to create my resources.
National Grid Card Sort ideal for SEN or low ability groups
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National Grid Card Sort ideal for SEN or low ability groups

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This activity reinforces some of the key terminology and parts and functions of the National Grid that students will have encountered during this lesson. I have designed this so that it can be accessible to those with literacy difficulties by putting in plain student speak where possible. I have also included the answers so that students can peer or self assess. Some of the terminology includes: step-up transformer, current, substation, pylon
Isotopes and Atoms differentated lesson
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Isotopes and Atoms differentated lesson

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Fully differentiated lesson on Atoms and Isotopes. Includes lesson plan, keywords, workbook and starter sheet. This lesson was judged Good with Outstanding features in a 2013 lesson observation and I've used it ever since. The A grade activity looks at the link between alchemy and isotopes and challenges students to apply their knowledge in an interesting and unusual scenario.
Discovering Forces and drawing force arrows - Cartoon Text and Activities
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Discovering Forces and drawing force arrows - Cartoon Text and Activities

(1)
Suitable for KS3 and SEN GCSE students. Learning Targets - to name some forces, draw suitable forces arrows, describe types of forces There are three parts to the resource, - a comic strip explaining what forces are and how to draw force arrows - a newspaper template for students to complete, with instructions - a comic strip type activity to demonstrate that they are able to draw force arrows, name forces and describe them. This type of resource presents information in a more student-friendly manner than textbooks, so very suitable for the reluctant reader.
QCA Science SOW & Objectives KS1,2,3
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QCA Science SOW & Objectives KS1,2,3

(22)
I found this document after a long search on the internet. It dates back to early 2000 and has the complete breakdown of topics, learning objectives, outcomes, possible activities and teaching notes. Published by the QCA.
How Science Works Terminology Card Sort
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How Science Works Terminology Card Sort

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Based on the AQA key words produced by them, this is designed to get students to interact with the words and definitions. Suitable for C grade and above or in mixed ability groups. Activity should take about 20 minutes.
Evaporation and Condensation - Differentiated  "Survival" Activity
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Evaporation and Condensation - Differentiated "Survival" Activity

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Objectives: To understand how evaporation is linked to thermal energy transfer To understand how to change the rate of evaporation/condensation I have found this works best in small groups where students can discuss ideas. The activity should take about 40 minutes and then another 20 minutes for peer assessment. Activity overview: Give higher achievers a text book and lower achievers the accompaning text. I usually allow students to answer whichever questions they wish but generally find that they attempt most. Students have found themselves stranded on a deserted island with no food, shelter, water or fuel. They have discovered that the island’s inhabitants are only too happy to supply them with the essentials, providing that they share their knowledge of science with them. Each question asked has point values. At the end of the journey students count up how many points they have accumulated to see how well they were able to survive!
Photosynthesis Card Sort (20+ cards)  questions with answers
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Photosynthesis Card Sort (20+ cards) questions with answers

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A range of resource to use with foundation groups. Focused on the photosynthesis aspect of Bioenergetics, it is particularly useful to go over the key concepts of the topic. This works well in groups for the card sort activity, or as an independent learning task when using the question activity. It is also a good revision resource with over 20 flash cards. Answers are provided.
Multiple Choice Assessment - KS3 Energy
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Multiple Choice Assessment - KS3 Energy

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Who is it for? This is an assessment based upon the new national curriculum on energy suitable for KS3 but could also be used at KS4 for a pre-topic assessment. What is included? This resource is a carefully designed, 25 question multiple choice quiz, that assesses depth and breadth of knowledge. There are two ways to use the resource. Firstly, it can be manually marked within a couple of minutes, by students. Secondly, it can be marked using the free Quick Key App for android and IOS. Data is collected within seconds using the teacher's mobile phone or tablet, and results visible immediately as well as consolidated in an Excel Spreadsheet. The data in this form is exceptionally useful, teachers are able to assess progress in a matter of minutes, and address misconceptions immediately. I've been using this app for a very long time and can't recommend it highly enough. Feedback tasks can be generated in either little report forms or as a whole class spread sheet that can be RAG rated by outcome. See the video tutorial here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0XcUHc09Qc Info on the app can be found here: https://get.quickkeyapp.com/teachers/ Feedback Tasks related to this assessment will be available by 14 November and can be found at my shop. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/heelis
Concave & Convex Lenses BTEC 6.3 low ability
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Concave & Convex Lenses BTEC 6.3 low ability

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Worksheet to help those struggling with this topic to gain merit. Helps them to describe how lenses can affect rays of light. A similar one for mirrors can be found here http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Concave-and-amp-Convex-Mirrors-BTEC-low-abiltiy-6-3-6427471/requestAction/add/ - answers to be uploaded shortly.
National Grid - Overhead or Underground cables.  Evaluation Activity
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National Grid - Overhead or Underground cables. Evaluation Activity

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This resource is a ready to go activity and should take approximately 40 minutes. It focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of using overhead and underground cables. Students complete a card sort and then produce a piece of extended writing. Mark scheme and instructions attached. Suitable for both higher and foundation.
P5.2 Electricity Cables and Plugs (2018 Exam) - Literacy and Comprehension
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P5.2 Electricity Cables and Plugs (2018 Exam) - Literacy and Comprehension

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NEW SPECIFICATION FOR EXAMINATION IN 2018 Objective: To understand the function of the different wires in a plug, how a mains cable works, the importance of the earth wire, the difference between a three and two core cable. Included: Text, 2 Tarsia Puzzles of different sizes, answers to the Tarsia Suitable for both high and low achievers. Approximately a 40 minute activity. Lesson Ideas: Give students the text document and allow them time to read and highlight any words they do not understand. Put the students in groups of 2 or 3 and issue each group with 2 post-it notes. Students then cut and assemble the tarsia puzzle, matching the question and answer. If students are really struggling, they are allowed to write a single question on each of the post-it notes and then wait for the teacher to circulate and answer the questions. After the time is up, issue each group with the answers and have them complete their puzzles. This is a good starter activity for the following lesson, to re-inforce the ideas.
Endothermic and Exothermic Worksheets and Activities with Answers
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Endothermic and Exothermic Worksheets and Activities with Answers

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Objectives: To understand the conservation of energy To understand the meaning of endothermic and exothermic To give examples of endothermic and exothermic reactions To distinguish between exothermic and endothermic reactions. A range of activities are included in this resource. The information Gap activity is probably my favorite as it engages students and provides them with instant feedback. The resource includes: Information Gap, Questions and Answers, Matching Pairs, Cloze x2, Spelling x2 . Visit me here https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/heelis
Doppler Effect "Survivor" Activity GCSE Physics
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Doppler Effect "Survivor" Activity GCSE Physics

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Students find themselves stranded on a tropical island and have to answer questions relating to Sound Waves and the Doppler Effect in order to get food, water, shelter and fuel from the local tribe. Designed to stretch and challenge but accessible to all abilities, fully differentiated. Suitable for GCSE Physics course. Doppler Effect, Frequency, Sound Waves, pitch, amplitude,
The Big Bang comic strip and newspaper activity
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The Big Bang comic strip and newspaper activity

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GCSE Physics, Big Bang, Red Shift, Expanding Universe, Cosmic Background radiation, microwaves, evidence, theory This activity is designed to get all abilities creating their own learning through comic strips and a newspaper type activity. Activity one students complete tasks in a newspaper style. Activity two, students can create comic strips. Brief information on the Big Bang, Red Shift and Cosmic Background radiation is included in the form of a comic strip (good for reluctant readers). Students then have to produce their own image that depicts the content of each scene, forcing them to engage with the text and personalise their learning. As an further activity or homework, students are given the template for the comic strips and instructed to produce their own more detailed version. Students do not need to be artistically gifted and can use a variety of material to create the images, ie a collage from old magazines, plasticine or even pieces of shaped pasta. The idea is that they think about the information and how they would like depict it, no matter how abstract.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Text and Worksheet - wavelength, frequency and properties of EM Waves
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Electromagnetic Spectrum Text and Worksheet - wavelength, frequency and properties of EM Waves

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Activity Length: 40 minutes Suitable for GCSE students of all abilities. This is a 3 part resource. The first is a comic book style text that introduces EM waves as being transverse and as waves of different lengths and frequency (there is an explanation as to what these terms mean). The second part is a user friendly worksheet, again in a comic book style, where students can use textbooks, video or internet to discover the uses, dangers, advantages, disadvantages, frequency and wavelengths of the spectrum. My students enjoy using the comic-book style textbooks, in particular my reluctant readers and dyslexic students, however, there should always be an alternative source information around, like a text book, to ensure that they are exposed to text of all types. The third is a powerpoint file of the comic book if you should wish to present it rather than printing it. The activity will challenge the higher abilities as they will be expected to apply their knowledge in a compare and contrast activity, while also being expected to produce work that shows a deeper understanding. Keywords: transverse wave, electromagnetic spectrum, light, communication,
Specialised Cells Fact Builder Activity
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Specialised Cells Fact Builder Activity

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Objective: Understand the differences and similarities between specialised cells. Understand the adaptations of specialised cells. Understand how to build a content rich paragraph. The fact builder is suitable for higher ability KS3 and KS4 students. Used in conjunction with textbook or other reference material it forces students to clarify their thinking before writing, as well as encouraging their interaction with text. There are 5 fact builder worksheets, all similar to the one displayed, including: - red blood cells, sperm cells, root hair cells, leaf cells and muscle cells I have included the Power Point file and the pdf should you wish to tailor them to your students. Instructions: Students use their text books to find out about the adaptations, design and function of the cell in question. Students choose 5 of the most important keywords and write it in the space provided Finally students answer the question incorporating the keywords they have identified.