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Little Scientists

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I teach a number of low ability classes. I want my pupils to do as well as they can. So here are a number of resources that I have developed to help them do that. From writing frames to entire lessons. I am currently making themed topics to rope in pupils, e.g. Disney themes.

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I teach a number of low ability classes. I want my pupils to do as well as they can. So here are a number of resources that I have developed to help them do that. From writing frames to entire lessons. I am currently making themed topics to rope in pupils, e.g. Disney themes.
QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Supernova
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Supernova

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This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - CAT Scan
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - CAT Scan

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This writing frame is used to help pupils practice with their extended writing questions in Science. It uses smaller steps and leading questions for pupils to be able to answer the large question that they would see in the exam. The frame include keywords that the pupils should use in their answer and a picture in the center, either from the question itself or as a visual prompt. This is really useful for all pupils and ticks that literacy box!
Ghostbusters Science - Pitch and Volume (Frequency and Amplitude)
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Ghostbusters Science - Pitch and Volume (Frequency and Amplitude)

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This is aimed at a low ability KS3 class, and has a Ghostbusters theme. Pupils enter the room and begin by doing a wordsearch. The teacher, using a diagram, explains how to read a wave from an oscilloscope, including keywords. A oscilloscope can also be used to demonstrate the different sounds and waves produced. Pupils then do a mini-experiment using a ruler, to investigate pitch and amplitude, to ensure that they understand the meaning of these words. Pupils then use a template the draw wave diagrams. There is then a task where pupils read descriptions of sound and match these to wave diagrams. Finally in teams pupils complete a small quiz. There are two homeworks available, which I let them chose between, both are experiments that they can do at home.
Distance - Time Graph
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Distance - Time Graph

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Used for a low ability GCSE class. Starts with watching a video of Usain Bolt and recording his time every 10m throughout his 100m run. Simple graph drawn from these results. Collective memory task Going through how to interpret a distance-time graph using the collective memory results. Quick discussion on how to calculate speed from distance - time graph Pupils them calculate speed at different points from their Usain Bolt graph. UPDATE: video was missing, it is now hyperlinked on the screenshot of the video
Star Wars Science - Types of Forces
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Star Wars Science - Types of Forces

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This is a lesson for a low ability KS3 class. It has the theme of Star Wars. Pupils start with match some words with their definitions. There is then a circus activity where pupils go around a do small tasks to answer questions about different types of forces. Pupils then create a learning sheet for Luke Skywalker, so he can learn about 'The Force'. Finally pupils do a small literacy task as their exit ticket.
Ghostbusters Science - Hearing Ranges
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Ghostbusters Science - Hearing Ranges

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This is for a low ability KS3 class, with a Ghostbusters theme. Pupils begin by putting in order the stages of hearing (they would have done this in a previous lesson). Pupils then determine their own hearing range using a video. Pupils then watch a video on narwhals and how they use echolocation, answering some questions along the way. Pupils then get introduced to ultrasound and some uses. They are then given differentiated maths questions to go along side this. Finally pupils compare the hearing ranges of different animals.
Star Wars Science  - Moments
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Star Wars Science - Moments

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This is aimed at a low ability KS3 class. It has the theme of Star Wars. I would like to say that the Star Wars examples are from RichardBonser (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/moments-levers-and-pivots-introduction-with-star-wars-11204405) Pupil begin by doing a wordsearch. They then go over the equation for a moment. The using examples they calculate moments. Pupils then discuss how changing the distance an affect the moment. Pupils complete some calculations and then do an experiment using meter rulers and wooden triangles. Finally they do a challenge question.
Peter Pan Science - Light Introduction
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Peter Pan Science - Light Introduction

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This is aimed at a KS3 class, with a Peter Pan theme. Pupils begin by describing the glow around Tinkerbell. You then go on to explain luminous objects and if you can describe Tinkerbell this way. There is also a question to cover the moon misconception. You then explain how to draw ray diagrams and pupils practice by showing how Peter can see different things in Neverland (the sheet gets harder as it goes down). Pupils then Think, pair and Share on how thy think shadows are formed - using keywords. They then watch a video and write down an explanation in their books. There is a homework about bioluminescence. Finally pupils create a summary poster for the introduction for Light.
Frozen Science - Separation Techniques
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Frozen Science - Separation Techniques

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This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with the theme of Disney's Frozen. Pupils begin with a "Think, Pair and Share" of how they will obtain fresh water from salt water on a beach. They then go onto do the rock salt experiment, creating a solution and then separating the salt and water, for higher ability classes get them to capture the fresh water, rather than letting it evaporate. Pupils then go onto a chromatography practical. Use a number of different green pens (one being the sample) and get pupils to determine which green pen was used in a scenario. You could also demo distillation of ink. Pupils finally complete the "Purifying a Solid" clue task to revisit key terms. There is also an extended writing homework available.
Jurassic Park - Energy Transfer
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Jurassic Park - Energy Transfer

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This is a Jurassic Park themed lesson aimed at KS3 pupils. Pupils begin by thinking about the types of energy that enter and leave an object, they complete a worksheet for this. Pupils then are reminded about kinetic and potential energy, with examples. Leading on from this, pupils then complete a description of energy transfer on a rollercoaster, and describe the energy types and particular points. Useful and wasted energy is explained to the pupils, with a simplified diagram. Pupils then create similar diagrams for different things seen at a theme park. Finally pupils are then given one Olympic scenario each and have to draw an energy transfer diagram as an exit ticket. There is a homework where pupils use the Jurassic World website to create energy transfer diagrams of activities in different sections. There is also an online homework used as an extension of the rollercoaster task (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park-basics).
Jurassic Park - Types of Energy
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Jurassic Park - Types of Energy

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This is the first lesson of the Energy topic. It is designed for KS3 and has a Jurassic Park theme, where pupils design a new theme park for Richard Hammond. The start pupils look at images and try and come up with a title for the lesson. Pupils then do a number of jigsaw puzzles to make them to start thinking about the different types of energy and where they can be found. Pupils then create a mnemonic to help them remember all the types of energy. Pupils then create posters for Mr Hammond on the different types of energy he will see in his new park, using ideas from theme parks they already know. Finally pupils do a scavenger hunt using QR codes to answer some question to check their learning (internet access is not needed for this)
Ghostbusters Science - How is Sound Produced?
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Ghostbusters Science - How is Sound Produced?

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This is for a low ability KS3 group, with a Ghostbusters theme. Pupils begin by using images to determine the title of the lesson. They then listen to sounds and try to describe them (link in notes section of ppt). Pupils then do a circus activity where there are a number of ways to make sound and try to decide the common factor. Pupils then line up facing forwards and teacher demonstrates how sound travels. Finally pupils try to answer the question "If a tree falls in a forest with no one around to hear it fall, does it make a sound?"
Jurassic Park - Energy Sources
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Jurassic Park - Energy Sources

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This is a KS3 lesson, with a Jurassic park theme. Pupils begin by sorting the types of energy sources into groups. They then have to justify their groupings. Pupils then when a quick video (link in picture) and are asked to note down the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources. Pupils are then put into groups and asked to research different types of energy sources (link in notes section of ppt) ready to present to a number of judges (Dragon Den style). The pretence is that they are selling their type of resource to John Hammond to use to run Jurassic Park. Pupils then present this, to make sure all students are engage, there is a table that they fill in with the information that they hear. Finally pupils complete a six mark question using a QWC writing frame on the evaluation of different energy sources.
Frankenweenie - Conductors and Insulators
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Frankenweenie - Conductors and Insulators

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This is designed for low KS3 class, with a Frankenweeie theme. Pupils begin by deciding which material to use to help bring Sparky back to life. Pupils watch a video and then do a quick match exercise. They then conduct an experiment to test a variety of conductors and insulators, filling in a table as they go. As a plenary they write a postcard to Victor Frankenweenie. There is also a virtual experiment attached which can be used as a homework or as the experiment.
Gostbusters Science - Travelling Sound
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Gostbusters Science - Travelling Sound

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This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with a Ghostbusters theme. Pupils begin by creating a word cloud using keywords and using the size of the word to represent their understanding of that word. 4 experts are chosen to run 4 demos, sound travelling in a solid, liquid, gas and vacuum. Take these pupils aside and explain to them each demo and make sure they understand the information enough to explain to other pupils. While you are doing this, the other pupils are completing a data analysis task. Pupils then do go to each demo and get it explained to them - completing the worksheet. Pupils then write a letter explaining how to trap a ghost so it cannot communicate with other ghosts. This is then peer assessed.
Frozen Science - Dissolving
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Frozen Science - Dissolving

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This is a lesson aimed for a low ability KS3 class and has a theme of Disney's Frozen. Pupils begin with trying to see how many words they can make out of one of the lesson's keywords. Pupils then watch a video to get the keywords for the lesson and complete a question sheet as they do so. Pupils then do 3 experiments that show dissolution. Finally pupils do a code breaker that goes through the keywords of the lesson again. For homework pupils watch a video and write a letter to Anna describing the difference between melting and dissolving.
Frankenweenie - Series Circuits
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Frankenweenie - Series Circuits

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This is a low ability KS3 lesson, with a theme of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. Pupils begin by looking at a diagram of a circuit and discussing why it would not work. Pupils then draw series circuit diagrams from descriptions and decide if the circuit is open or closed. Pupils go onto an interactive website to create circuits and investigate how the number of bulbs and cells affect the brightness of bulbs (I find this more reliable than the actual electrical equipment). Pupils consolidate their learning with a Cloze exercise. Finally pupils design a series circuit that will bring Sparky back to life.
Frankenweenie - Parallel Circuits
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Frankenweenie - Parallel Circuits

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This is a KS3 lesson, for a low ability class. It has a theme of Frankenweenie. Pupils begin by using mini whiteboards to brainstorm how to create a circuit that ensures other light bulbs work if one goes out. They then watch a quick video and use this to write a summary sentence about the differences between series and parallel circuits. Pupils in groups model a parallel circuit, for a lower ability class you can do this as a class. Pupils are given components, and the remainder are electrons and are given plastic balls to represent energy. Pupils then complete a Cloze exercise. Finally pupils do a comprehension task about parallel and series circuits, and as an extension draw circuits for Christmas Tree lights and a house.
Frankenweenie - Electricity Introduction
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Frankenweenie - Electricity Introduction

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This is designed for a low ability KS3 class and has a theme of Frankenweenie. Pupils start with a Think, Pair and Share activity on how Victor brought Frankenweenie back to life (for a high ability group, I would give them the Frankenstein text) Then use the Van der Graff to show pupils electricity and ask them to define it from this. Pupils then watch a video about what electricity is and complete a gap fill exercise. Pupils then create a flashlight using just a few easy to come by components. Then teach the symbols kinaesthetically, there is a video but I tend to do it myself. Go through this a number of times and finally get pupils to match the symbol with the component.
Star Wars Science - Air Resistance
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Star Wars Science - Air Resistance

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This is a Star Wars themed lesson aimed at KS3. Pupils begin by doing a "Think, Pair, Share" on what will fall faster, an elephant or a feather and how they could make them fall at the same speed. The text is then hyperlinked so a video can be shown, when air is removed from the scenario. Pupils then watch an animation showing a parachutist and the way air resistance changes the forces and acceleration acting upon him. Pupils discuss which parachute will land first using the diagrams. Then pupils then investigate how surface area affects the speed in which a parachute falls. You will need tissue paper, string and a weight - I usually let them drop it from the balcony and down the stairs. Pupils then complete a gap fill exit ticket and draw force arrows on a parachutist. A QWC writing frame is also include for higher ability pupils and/or homework