These three resources are intended to help students be clear about the differences between the two types of cell division. The Venn diagram activity should promote thinking and discussion and will allow teachers to spot misconceptions. There is also a colouring in worksheet where students identify the types of cells in each division and a simple fill in the gaps sheet. These would also be good revision tools

This is a hands on activity to help students consolidate and fully understand these important ideas. Students pass around pictures of 9 different types of cell and then complete the grid on the student sheet to show which of the genes listed will be switched on in that cell type. There is also a plenary activity designed to reveal any student misconceptions along with some teacher notes, with a link to a great animation which will explain the concept clearly to non-specialists

This introduction to the senses is a good introduction to the topic for keystage 3 students and also suitable for foundation students at keystage 4. There are instructions for a series of demonstrations and mini-practicals to investigate the human senses that are not easy to carry out but they are fun and thought provoking. Also in this package are student instructions for practical work to test the sensitivity of the skin along with a results table for them to record their findings.

Here are two games that really help students get the hang of formulae. They have been used successfully with students in years 8-11 from many different schools. Use them when introducing students to formulae in keystage 3 or 4. They are suitable for all abilities and also requires students to communicate effectively. Game One - Molecule Race. Working in pairs, students race to build models of ten different molecules. One student uses the card to give instructions to the other who builds the molecule. The cards are provided in word and pdf format. MOLECULAR MODEL KIT (EG MOLYMOD) REQUIRED. Game Two - Triplet Match. This whole class or team activity gets students to match names, with formuale and diagrams.

There are instructions here for a teacher demonstration comparing the oxidation of iron in air and oxygen. There is then a Venn diagram activity where students classify a series of chemical reactions - an activity designed to promote thinking and learning. Finally, there is a follow up worksheet that recaps the key ideas. Finally there is a presentation that gives a useful comparison of oxidation and reduction along with helpful definitions

This is a card game (based on rummy) where students collect sets of cards that, taken together, form a complete neutralisation reaction. There is a full set of playing cards along with instructions on how to play for the teacher. To accompany the game there is also a "colouring in" worksheet that links neutralisation reactions to changes in pH. There is also a thinking activity where students read through a series of cards in order to find out the uses of some common salts formed by neutralisation.

In my experience (over 20 years!) this method of explaining how to balance equations has never failed. That's a bold claim but students unfailingly enjoy this activity and find it really helpful . Note that a molymod molecular model kit (or similar) is required. Also included are a two worksheets which allow students to practise writing equations without the models.

This resource gives full details for teachers on how to carry out three demonstrations with alkali metals. It should be helpful for new teachers or those teaching out of their specialism 1. observing and comparing with other metals 2 reaction with water- the straightforward demo plus two further enhancements readily carried out in the lab 3 reacting sodium with chlorine There is also a table for students to record their observations.

A suite of three highly engaging activities to help students relate sub-atomic structure and electron configuration to the periodic table 1 Periodic Table Bingo uses real bingo cards and can get very competitive 2 An outline, blank periodic table (featuring the first 20 elements) which students complete by drawing in the electrons in each of the atoms 3 A worksheet designed to help students see the link between number of shells and period and number of outer electrons and group.

After a discussion about what constitutes a species, students study pictures of ladybirds and record their observations. They decide how many different species of ladybirds they think there are. They then classify each of the pictures again using an ID chart and compare their findings.

A teacher led demonstration activity to help students understand how errors in measurement are inevitable. The accompanying worksheet allows students to record the errors as they occur in the demonstration and then provides an opportunity to think through what they learnt.

It's hard to find much practical work to do around food chains. Here's a very active demonstration that turns into a student race and brings home all the key ideas that students need to understand. It's accompanied by a crossword puzzle.

Here students consider the genetic and environmental causes of variation by building a model human. Students enjoy making the models which make clear the different types of variation. There is a worksheet to use as a follow up to the activity which extends the key ideas and promotes thinking.

There are enough resources here to fill two lessons on the topic of electrical power. The activities include a student practical finding the power of various kettles; the student sheet has instructions and guides students through the calculations required. There is also a demonstration using an electricity meter to compare the power of various electrical items. They are backed up with three different worksheets helping students to understand and use the equation power = potential difference x current.

This lesson includes a starter where students examine a number of electrical items to find out about their power, voltage, current etc. There is then a set of cards that can be laminated and passed around the class . Using the information on the cards, students calculate how much it costs to operate each device as shown, filling in their findings and calculations in the table provided on the student sheet. To consolidate and reinforce understanding, there is a worksheet with more calculations to carry out.

This role play is the best method I've used to help students understand current and potential difference; these abstract concepts really need some concrete models if students are to grasp them. The role play is followed by comparison with two further models and there is a further worksheet to help consolidate understanding

In this lesson, students use their knowledge (supplemented by the fact sheet provided) to decide how the meet the energy requirements of an island. In my experience, students enjoy the activity and there are often heated arguments between the groups!

Two hands-on activities for what can be a rather dry area of work. In the first, students examine diagrams of atoms and use a periodic table to identify them. In the seconds, atom pairs are examined in order to find out whether or not they are isotopes. The activities work well after the key idea have been explained since they help students consolidate and then apply their knowledge.

Here are a selection of resources to help with teaching radioactivity - A set of mystery cards (along with teacher notes) about the nature of radioactivity. Students use the information on the set of cards make deductions about the 3 types of radiation - a worksheet about the properties of the 3 types of radiation and a second worksheet about ionisation. - some suggestions for teaching nuclear equations - a presentation about the death of Alexander Litvinenko which draws heavily on GCSE knowledge on this subject.

Since 2016, specifications have used the Institute of Physics preferred language describing energy stores and energy transfers. Here are notes and a worksheet for students along with a cut and stick activity to provide practise using these new ways of thinking about energy