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 series of lessons for the new AQA GCSE Topic 6 - rates of reaction. The bundle features lessons on:
- Measuring the rate of reaction
- Factors affecting the rate of reaction
- RPA 1 - magnesium and hydrochloric acid
- RPA 2 - sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid
- Reversible reactions and equilibrium (not including Le Chatelier's principle)
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the difference between complete combustion and incomplete combustion and the process of catalytic cracking. The lesson features:
- A starter question grid based on previous learning (fractional distillation and creation of crude oil) with animated answers for student self-assessment
- Slides describing the difference between incomplete and complete combustion followed by questions to be used with a demonstration (testing for the products of complete combustion)
- Practice on balancing complete combustion equations (with correct balanced symbol equation answers given)
- Explanation of the process of cracking with numerous past paper questions built into the powerpoint containing animated answers for assessment of progress
- Past paper questions based on lesson content with animated answers
An A3 revision worksheet and powerpoint designed for Foundation level triple Chemistry students.
The revision worksheet contains recall questions with supporting diagrams and a list of key definitions with space for pupils to fill in the key terms.
Lessons to cover organic chemistry for the new AQA specification. The lessons are fully resourced and feature a lot of review questions with answers to assess pupil progress.
Two A3 revision worksheets and a powerpoint designed for Foundation level triple Chemistry students.
The revision worksheet contains recall questions with supporting diagrams and a list of key definitions with space for pupils to fill in the key terms.
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the extraction, processing, use and disposal of Earth’s resources. The lesson contains three main objectives:
A recap of the difference between renewable and finite resources
Explaining why reducing the use of Earth’s resources is important
Describe the components of a life cycle assessment and compare the suitability of materials for products using life cycle assessments.
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, thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers)
A cartoon image to introduce current issues with the rate at which earth’s resources are being plundered
Slides introducing the difference between renewable and finite resources with a sorting task for pupils to complete (animated answers on the slide to review progress)
Discussion questions around the impact of extracting resources using quarrying/ mining with a review summary
An envoy/ circus task recapping the extraction and processing of different materials and their disadvantages that has been covered in previous topics - plastics (topic 7), petrol (topic 7), iron (topic 4/10), aluminium (topic 4) and copper (phytomining and bioleaching covered in topic 10)
Review questions on the first learning objective
Two video clips, slide containing relevant news headlines and discussion questions around the importance of ‘reducing, reusing, recycling’ materials (video clips from a recent documentary on landfill looking at the dangers of landfill and alternatives to plastic bags - the latter clip I have produced a slide of questions to go with it)
Slides summarising the importance of recycling metals and plastics, linking metal recycling to the importance of gold for smartphones
Several slides of exam-style review questions for the second objective with animated answers for easy assessment
An introduction to what a life cycle assessment is using the life cycle of a human. A table explaining considerations for each of the stages of a life cycle assessment is included (could be printed off for students to use)
A group/ individual task considering the LCA’s for paper and plastic straws to determine what sort of straws McDonald’s should use (relevant to current news)
Review questions comparing life cycle assessments for materials with animated answers
A series of exam-style questions on a Word document with animated answers on the powerpoint
Lots to choose from here!
A double lesson/ series of lessons suitable for trilogy/ triple physics describing the structure of the atom, the role of scientists in the development of the atomic model and explaining what an isotope is. The lesson features:
A short recap quiz numbered 1-10 on naming parts of the atom, describing the charge/ mass of sub-atomic particles and their position in the atom (linking to Topic 1 - atomic structure in the Chemistry trilogy syllabus
An explanation for the definitions of mass and atomic number linking to students’ understanding of the relative masses of protons, neutrons and electrons
Practice questions on calculating P, N, E, describing the structure of atoms of particular elements from both images and chemical symbols and interpreting the mass/ atomic number for an atom from an image
An explanation for the meaning of the term ‘isotope’ linking to easter eggs and a scaffolded example of what an isotope is comparing element symbols for chlorine
Practice questions on describing the difference between isotopes from bot the chemical symbol and atomic structure diagrams
A description of the contributions/ experimental work from scientists in the development of the atomic model, paying particular focus to the plum pudding model and alpha particle scattering experiment
Discussion questions to help pupils visualise the abstract concept of the plum pudding model by comparing the plum pudding model to a bouncy ball
A suggested modelling activity (detailed in the slide notes) involving students acting out the alpha scattering experiment and suggestions for how to evaluate this with pupils
A worksheet containing a gap fill task and practice questions comparing the plum pudding model to the current nuclear model of the atom and explaining the findings of the alpha scattering experiment.
A timeline task for students to complete to show the role of scientists in the development of the model of the atom. The activity also has differentiated resources in the form of a cut and stick with model images and descriptions of scientists roles.
A lesson on the AQA required practical carrying out tests to identify cations and anions in substances and instrumental analysis methods
Included in the resource is:
A starter question on chromatography with mark scheme incorporated into the powerpoint for review
Instructions to carry out the required practical (flame tests, testing using sodium hydroxide, testing for carbonates, sulfates and halides)
Review tasks requiring pupils to identify ions in substances and describe tests for anions and cations
A question booklet on the lesson with mark scheme incorporated into the powerpoint for review and challenging extension question
A revision mindmap for pupils to complete on testing for ions
Whiteboard plenary
Flash card homework task.
Bags of content, will cover a double lesson!
A lesson explaining the structure of polymers and properties of polymers, including a step-by-step method on drawing repeating units and explanation of the properties of thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers. The lesson also includes an explanation of the properties of solids, liquids and gases and a step-by-step method on how to predict the state of a substance when given the melting and boiling point.
The lesson features:
A starter consisting of 10 basic recall questions from previous learning with animated answers (ionic formula and properties of ionic compounds, covalent bonding diagrams, properties of simple covalent substances and graphite, properties of metals and alloys)
Slides introducing what a polymer is and how to draw repeating units
Practice questions on drawing repeating units with animated answers
A paired teaching activity on the difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers
A discussion task to illicit prior knowledge on solids, liquids and gases
A summary table explaining the properties of solids, liquids and gases
Slides explaining how to predict the state of substances using number lines with two animated examples
Summary questions asking students to predict the state of substances using a data table containing melting and boiling points
An A3 revision worksheet and powerpoint designed for Foundation level triple Chemistry students.
The revision worksheet contains recall questions with supporting diagrams and a list of key definitions with space for pupils to fill in the key terms.
A lesson describing the properties of graphene and uses of nanoparticles. The lesson features:
-Questions linked to commonly asked past paper questions with animated answers to assess student understanding
-Two links to engaging videos describing the uses of graphene and explanation of what a nanoparticle is
-Possible modelling task using different types of chocolate to come up with a definition for the term 'allotrope'
-Extension task comparing graphene to the structure and properties of diamond and graphite
A complete lesson to compare the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration. The lesson features engaging video clips looking at the effects of aerobic and anaerobic respiration on the body, a foldable resource with instructions to compare the processes, review questions with answers for assessment and an application of knowledge task to explain the lactic acid concentration in the blood of a runner. A 6 mark question is also included to explain changes in the body during exercise
Lesson on the short and long term effects of alcohol on the body. The lesson features:
A mind map starter on effects of alcohol
Provocative images to aid discussion on the effects of alcohol
Blurred vision task
Exam questions
Long and short term effects card sort
Discussion question on the implications of ethics when treating alcohol abuse followed by a silent debate task
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at drawing the structure of alkenes and alcohols, describing reactions of alkenes and the process of fermentation to produce ethanol. The lesson includes:
- A 'find someone who' starter grid looking at previous learning (fractional distillation, combustion and cracking)
- Information slides with prompt questions to facilitate students linking the lesson content to prior knowledge/ understanding
- A task to compare the structure of alkanes and alkenes with prompt questions
- Two demonstrations/ practicals with animated questions and answers on the powerpoint
- A true/ false question grid to assess understanding of lesson content
- Review questions to assess achievement of each learning objective
- A past paper questions worksheet with animated answers on the powerpoint
A series of 11 simplistic revision mats designed for the Foundation Triple Chemistry specification.
The revision mats contain:
Key definitions with space for students to write in the key term
Basic recall questions/ comprehension tasks followed by short answer questions to test understanding
Summaries of the required practical activities and sample questions based on these RPA’s
There is a revision mat for each topic 1-10 with an additional revision mat for electrolysis (Topic 4 - Chemical changes)
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!
A double-sided revision mat containing 36 questions with answers. Pupils roll a dice twice to determine the row and column number for the question they will answer. Works well for independent revision or for a group task where pupils roll the dice for each other. I have often used the grids for starters and plenaries in addition. Questions are based on:
Stores of energy
Power calculations
Energy sources
Heat transfer methods
Generating electricity.
A double lesson/ series of lessons looking at the structure of carboxylic acids, reactions of carboxylic acids and the formation of polymers by addition and condensation polymerisation. The lesson also recaps content from topic 2 and topic 10, covering the difference between thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers and the issues surrounding the disposal of polymers. Lesson features include:
- A question grid with basic recall questions from previous learning (fractional distillation, cracking, combustion, alkenes, alkanes and alcohols) complete with answers
- Recap on homologous series
- Slides describing the structure and reactions of carboxylic acids with a printable table for students to complete together with review questions
- Slides describing the formation of a polymer with an activity requiring students to draw the repeating unit from polymer chains and monomers
- A host of short review questions on polymerisation with animated answers on the powerpoint
- A paired teaching activity on thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers for students to complete. This is then followed by a independent learning task on the two types of polymer with success criteria provided
- A worksheet containing past paper questions. Answers are featured on the powerpoint to allow for assessment of pupil progress
A lesson looking at the properties and uses of ceramics, composites and polymers. The lesson also recaps content from topic 2 and topic 7, covering the structure and bonding in polymers and the process of polymerisation (including how to draw repeating units for polymers)
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 and alternative methods of copper extraction)
A fun introduction to the concept of a composite using a video
A slide containing small information cards on the properties and composition of four different composites with a table to fill in (this could be used as an envoy activity/ group activity)
Information on glass and clay ceramics
Slides introducing the concept of a polymer and how polymerisation occurs
Worked examples of how to draw repeating units with exam-style practice questions for students to attempt
A paired teaching activity on thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers for students to complete. This is then followed by a independent learning task on the two types of polymer with success criteria provided
An exam-style extension question comparing the structure and properties of thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers with animated mark scheme
Review questions where students apply their understanding of the properties of materials to justify the selection of a material for a scenario