I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
I aim to create detailed lessons for KS3 and KS4 science lessons, simplifying content for both teachers and pupils. My lessons include a lot of pupil-centred tasks and modelling activities where appropriate to engage pupils in their learning. As an AQA examiner for the new GCSE trilogy and triple science course I include a lot of 'past paper' style questions in my lessons that match the type of questions students will be asked in examinations.
A KS3 lesson explaining the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA. The lesson features:
- A starter task recapping previous learning on cells and sexual reproduction
-A differentiated task describing the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA (features a labelling sheet and powerpoint slides that could be printed out to form information stations)
- A 'what am I' task to assess student understanding of the link between 'genes, chromosomes and DNA'
- A task using sweets to model the 3D structure of DNA and statements that prompt students to explain what the parts of their model represent
- A video looking at the discovery of DNA with corresponding questions
- An evaluation task looking at the contributions of different scientists to the discovery of DNA (fully resourced with cards to be handed out to students in groups)
A KS3/KS4 lesson looking at key genetic terminology, building towards the completion and analysis of genetic diagrams for sickle cell anaemia, huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. The lesson features:
-A starter task looking at student understanding of the link between genes, chromosomes and DNA in a 'guess who' format
-Powerpoint slides containing explanations for key genetic terminology and a table of definitions that requires students to match the correct key terms for
- Four step-by-step worked examples with animated stages to demonstrate how to complete a genetic diagram/ punnett square. For differentiation i have created a worksheet (in the slides) with scaffolded support
- Two extension questions to explain genetic diagram outcomes
- Slides explaining the symptoms of sickle cell anaemia, huntington's and cystic fibrosis
- Genetic diagram questions for students to complete on inherited diseases
A lesson/series of lessons covering the following learning outcomes:
- The difference between pure and potable water
- How freshwater, seawater and waste water are treated
- Distillation required practical (including how to test for the presence of salt in seawater before and after distillation)
The resource features a worksheet summarising different water treatment methods for pupils to complete, a true/ false review, exam questions with animated answers and an RPA task sheet with success criteria and application questions.
A KS3 lesson looking at the difference between atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures, how to represent elements as symbols and interpreting the numbers of atoms and elements in a chemical compound. The lesson features:
-An engaging starter task using a video to ascertain students prior ideas around what elements are (Daniel Radcliffe singing 'the elements song')
-Key term and definition match
- Quick multiple choice questions to assess student understanding
- A task using sweets to model atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures including an opportunity for students to explain their arrangements
- A worksheet requiring students to recognise atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures
-An activity to help students recognise element symbols on the periodic table
An activity to practice recognising numbers of atoms and elements in chemical formulae
A double lesson / series of lessons comparing the processes of mitosis and meisosis, suitable for KS3 or a low/ middle ability KS4 class (lesson is tailored towards the new AQA GCSE scheme). The lesson features:
A ‘find someone who’ starter grid activity with 6 questions recapping cells (differences between animal, plant and bacterial cells, roles of cell organelles)
An introduction to the purpose of mitosis including a link to a video showing aphid cloning and an engaging hook into the lesson considering the replacement of skin cells using mitosis
An explanation for the stages of the cell cycle and mitosis using a diagram
Differentiated activities on the stages of mitosis (a simple ‘ordering the stages’ task, a table where pupils must order and draw an image to represent the stages of mitosis and a ‘true/ false’ review grid
Graphs showing the change in DNA content that students must link to the stages of mitosis and meiosis
Review questions on mitosis including a past paper question
An introduction to the purpose of meiosis using key terms that pupils must discuss and a discussion question
An explanation for the stages of meiosis using a diagram
A slide to compare the processes of mitosis and meiosis using images of each cell division
A comparison table of mitosis and meiosis with animated answers
A 6 mark question comparing mitosis and meiosis with animated markscheme
Review questions on the two processes
A fully resourced lesson bundle for the AQA Topic 10 unit - Using Resources. Suitable for foundation and higher tier Triple candidates (content can easily be deleted for Trilogy)
The bundle features double lessons on:
Potable water, waste water and purification of water RPA
Corrosion, alloys and copper extraction (phytomining and bioleaching)
Ceramics, composites and polymers
Sustainability and life cycle assessments
The Haber process and NPK fertilisers
The lessons feature informative, user-friendly slides, links to videos and suggestions of modelling tasks/ teaching activities, regular assessment questions throughout the powerpoints to check understanding with animated answers and a word document with exam-style questions and answers for each lesson
A lesson/ series of lessons introducing the concept of electrolysis and predicting the products when molten ionic compounds undergo electrolysis. The resource features:
- A recap of how ions are produced.
- Differentiated questions to explain the formation of ions
- A recap of how to deduce the chemical formula of ionic compounds
- A worksheet for students containing simplified descriptions of the components of an electrolysis cell and a table of ionic compounds requiring students to predict the products of electrolysis at the anode and cathode
- Extension task for students to write half equations for the reactions at the electrodes (contains animated answers allowing self-assessment to take place)
- Past paper review questions
- A differentiated review plenary task with questions
A KS3/ GCSE lesson describing the reactants and products of photosynthesis and adaptations of structures in the leaf. The lesson features:
- A structured 'information stations' learning task on the structures found in the leaf containing differentiated questions
- Multiple choice questions to assess understanding
- A differentiated question sheet
- A worksheet (could be completed as homework) with mark scheme
A double lesson/ series of lessons explaining how a cell works, considering the variables that affect the potential difference produced by a cell, the difference between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, how hydrogen fuel cells work and the advantages/ disadvantages of using a fuel cell compared to batteries.
The lesson features:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (graphene, reactions of acids and metal carbonates, groups on the periodic table, diamond, covalent bonding diagrams, properties of small covalent molecules and energy transfer required practical)
A slide introducing the idea of a cell in an engaging context by asking students to think about how they would make an LED light up using a lemon, coin and piece of copper.
A series of slides explaining how chemical cells work and what a battery consists of
A suggested practical with instructions, results table and conclusion questions investigating how the reactivity difference between metal electrodes affects the voltage made in a cell
A host of short review questions with animated answers on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A link to an engaging video looking at hydrogen powered cars and questions for pupils to subsequently answer from the video
An animated diagram explaining how a hydrogen fuel cell works, table detailing advantages/ disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells and an evaluation question comparing rechargeable batteries to hydrogen fuel cells using a table of statements
A worksheet containing exam-style questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
An A3 review sheet for the entire energy changes topic with questions/ diagrams for pupils to complete
A lesson/ series of lessons recapping the process of electrolysis, understanding how to predict the products when molten ionic compounds are electrolysed and understanding how to apply the series of rules concerning the products of aqueous ionic solutions. The lesson features:
A question grid based on previous learning from topic 4 (extraction of metals, reactivity series, acid reactions, electrolysis)
Basic recap questions looking at the process of electrolysis and labelling an electrolysis cell
-Step-by-step simplified recall practice looking at what is formed at the positive and negative electrodes for molten ionic compounds
Summary slides that explain to students the rules for predicting the products of electrolysis at the positive and negative electrode if the ionic compound is dissolved in solution. This is accompanied by simplified recall practice looking at what is formed at the positive and negative electrodes so students gain confidence in applying the rules to any substance
A recap of how ions are produced.
Instructions for how to complete the required practical looking at the electrolysis of aqueous solutions, including a blank and completed results table for pupil self-assessment
Past paper review questions
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the Haber process and production of NPK fertilisers
Lesson features include:
A series of basic recall questions from previous learning (water treatment, the purification of water required practical, rusting, methods to prevent corrosion, alloys, alternative methods of copper extraction, recycling and sustainability)
A fun introduction to the background of the Haber process with a slide on important developments of the 20th Century and the life of Fritz Haber (containing a ‘spot the false statement’ activity about his life)
An information card and cloze activity to help students recall conditions for the Haber process and slide containing a description of the Haber process step-by-step
Exam-style questions on conditions and reactants needed in the Haber process with animated answers on the powerpoint
Recap slide on the concept of equilibrium and instructions for an active modelling task to perform in the classroom with pupils (instructions for the task are found on the ‘notes’ section on slide 21)
Recap slides on Le Chatelier’s principle that provide information and questions for students to apply the principles to the Haber process reaction
Opportunity for pupils to apply the active modelling task in the classroom to show the effect of changing temperature and pressure on the Haber process (instructions for this are found in the ‘notes’ section of the slides)
A multitude of review questions of varying demand to assess pupils’ understanding of the equilibrium trade-off in the Haber process (the answers to the questions are animated on the powerpoint)
Slides introducing what NPK fertilisers are and their importance with prompt questions and answers
Slides containing a variety of exam-style questions on the manufacturing of NPK fertilisers
A series of exam-style questions on a Word document with animated answers on the powerpoint
Lots to choose from here!
Lesson explaining what a carbon footprint is and the problems caused by pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon particulates and nitrogen oxides.
Features a starter activity based on prior learning of the topic that settles pupils into their learning (formation of the atmosphere, greenhouse gases, deforestation and climate change), hidden drawing task, definition match for terms carbon capture, carbon neutral, carbon offset and carbon footprint, information stations for an independent learning activity, video link and exam-style review questions with model answers.
A KS3/KS4 lesson on labelling and describing the difference between plant and animals cells, calculating the magnification of objects viewed under a microscope and rearranging the magnification equation to calculate image size/ actual size.
The lesson features:
A starter activity where students think about what processes all living things must do
A link to a video providing students with a catchy ‘rap’ about the names and parts of a cell
A worksheet that can be easily differentiated (currently has missing words) on labelling cells and describing their function
An extended writing task to describe the difference between plant and animal cells and explain why plant cells need additional organelles. The task comes with a model answer on the powerpoint to allow for peer/ self assessment
Fun introduction to magnification with a ‘guess the object’ game. Students are shown magnified images and must guess what the object is
Scaffolded step-by-step methods and questions for calculating magnification, image size and actual size. On the questions slide for each type of calculation there is a worked example to guide pupils/ for reference
Lesson recapping the structure of an atom and explaining how objects become charged.
The lesson features:
Engaging video for students to recap/ learn about the structure of an atom
Video to explain what happens when hair becomes charged
Circus of experiments to explain the behaviour of charged objects
Explanations for static shocks and lightning
Review questions to assess understanding
A lesson looking at the structure of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. The lesson also contains multiple revision questions and a double-sided revision sheet for the whole of the Organic Chemistry unit of work (AQA spec). The lesson features:
- A homologous series match up task and series of statements requiring students to name the homologous series to which the statement is referring to
- Review questions on the structure of proteins, carbohydrates and DNA
- A DNA modelling task using sweets, with questions to assist pupils in describing and evaluating their models
- A double sided revision sheet (last slides of the powerpoint) for the whole topic
A series of lessons for the new AQA GCSE Topic 2 - bonding and structure. The bundle features lessons on:
Ions,ionic bonding and properties of ionic compounds
Covalent bonding and allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerenes and nanotubes)
Nanoparticles
Metallic bonding and alloys
Polymers and states of matter
Each lesson features a 10 question starter quiz with animated answers, slides with step-by-step methods and examples, practice questions building in difficulty and exam-style review questions.
A set of lessons covering Topic 8 Chemical analysis. Topics covered include:
Testing for ions
Instrumental analysis techniques (including flame emission spectroscopy)
Testing for gases
Chromatography
A fully resourced lesson bundle for all AQA Triple Chemistry paper 2 topics:
Topic 6 - rates of reaction
Topic 7 - organic chemistry
Topic 8 - chemical analysis
Topic 9 - chemistry of the atmosphere
Topic 10 - using resources.
Suitable for foundation Triple candidates although can easily be adapted for Trilogy by deleting triple only content
The bundle features lessons/ double lessons
with user-friendly slides, links to videos and suggestions of modelling tasks/ teaching activities, regular assessment questions throughout the powerpoints to check understanding with animated answers and word documents with exam-style questions and answers for most lessons. There are also separate lessons and assessment resources for the required practicals in Topics 6-10
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A lesson describing what a reversible reaction is and explaining the term 'equilibrium'. The lesson is designed for foundation students and does not include 'Le Chatelier's principle'. The lesson features:
- A past paper question starter based on a chemical reaction similar to the RPA tasks in the topic 6 unit. The task contains prompt questions designed to facilitate students answering questions based on unfamiliar scenarios
- A demonstration reaction (ammonium chloride decomposing to produce ammonia and hydrogen chloride) with questions and animated answers on the powerpoint
- A class practical (heating hydrated copper sulfate to produce anhydrous copper sulfate and water) with a results table containing animated answers to ensure that pupils understand observations seen in the practical task
- Past paper questions based on the class practical and animated answers on the powerpoint
- A mini true/ false statement table to allow for assessment of understanding