I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
I am a secondary school & A-level Science teacher, specialising in Biology. I am also an experienced AQA GCSE Biology Examiner. My resources contain a mix of Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons aimed at meeting specification points for the new AQA Trilogy GCSE course and KS3 Activate course.
All of my lessons include at least one opportunity for self-assessment, a range of activities to suit students of all abilities, a set of differentiated starter questions and a plenary.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Physics GCSE, particularly the 'Molecules & Matter’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a ‘Think > Pair > Share’ activity which requires pupils to recall the properties of a solid, liquid and gas. Once students have discussed this amongst themselves and as a class, they will then complete a fill-in-the-blank task to summarise the properties and the arrangement of particles of a solids, liquids and gases. Once this task has been completed students can self-assess their work suing the mark scheme included.
Students will now be introduced to the idea of potential energy and internal energy, a video will then be shown and students will have to answer a set of questions. This work can then be self-assessed using the answers included in the PowerPoint. This then follows into a mid-lesson plenary, pupils will answer an exam question and then peer-assess their work.
Next, students will study the different levels of forces of attraction between particles found in solids, liquids and gases. Their knowledge of what they have learned so far this lesson can then be checked using a summary worksheet, students complete their own worksheet, the answers to this are included in the PowerPoint for students to mark their work once complete.
Lastly, students will carry out a ‘True or False’ task.
The plenary task requires pupils to complete a 3-3-1 summary: 3 facts, 3 key words and 1 question to test their peers.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 5 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 7 P2 ‘Sound’ Unit.
Lessons include:
Waves
Sound & Energy Transfer
Loudness & Pitch
Detecting Sound
Echoes & Ultrasound
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the P2 1.2 unit on ‘Energy.
The lesson begins with a ‘Think > Pair > Share’ task whereby students are asked to think about why explorers need some large quantities of energy? What foods would provide them with such daily energy requirements? Students should have the covered the ‘Diet & Nutrients’ topic in Biology by this point, so after a short discussion in pairs they can feed their ideas back to the class and the answer can be revealed.
Students will now be provided with a set of food labels, if possible they should also be allowed access to the Internet via phones/laptops, using these tools students should estimate their daily energy intake, compare this with others and then make a list of all the ways their body might use this energy.
This follows into a task whereby students will look at activities, students will need to place these activities in order from most energy intensive to least energy intensive. Once complete, students can assess their work against the answers provided in the PowerPoint presentation.
Students are now provided with a set of data on the energy required to perform a range of activities for one hour. They will firstly need to plot this data onto a bar graph, they will also need to answer a set of questions. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint presentation so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
Lastly, students will complete an investigation into the energy content within food. The practical worksheet is included, students can collect the equipment listed and follow the steps in the method to fill in the results table in their books. Once complete, students should answer the summary questions.
The plenary task requires students to write a twitter message to their friends, including #keywords.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation, thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Physics GCSE, particularly the 'Electricity’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
The lesson begins with an introduction to the safety features of a plug which ensures that a person does not get electrocuted, this includes details of the role of the earth wire and the purpose of double insulation. Students will now be given some information about plugs, wall sockets and cables, using which they will need to answer a set of questions. Students can then use the mark scheme provided to self-assess or peer-assess their work.
Students will then look at why cables with different thicknesses are used for different purposes, students will complete notes on this topic by completing a fill-in-the-blank task. The mark scheme is included in the PowerPoint presentation so students can either self or peer assess their work.
The next part of the lesson focuses on fuses, students will watch a video about fuses and using the information provided in the video students will answer a set of questions. Once this task is complete students can check their work against the mark scheme provided.
Lastly, students will be given a past-paper question to complete, higher ability students could close their books and try to complete the question without their notes. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint presentation for students to check their work.
The plenary task will require pupils to write a set of three quiz questions aimed at testing students knowledge of what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 P2 ’Sound’.
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
Students will firstly be introduced to the main features of a wave - amplitude, frequency and wavelength. Students can sketch a diagram of a wave into their books and take notes on the main features.
Students are now introduced to transverse and longitudinal waves, students will need to know the differences between the direction of the oscillations of these two waves. Students are then asked to discuss how a ‘slinky’ could be used to demonstrate these two waves, after a short class discussion students can be shown an animation to demonstrate how a slinky shows these two types of wave. Students will now get into groups and come up with a short role-play to demonstrate the differences between these two waves.
Students will now complete a progress check where they will need to copy and complete a paragraph to summarise what they have learned so far this lesson. This task can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
A diagram of a longitudinal wave which shows the differences between rarefactions and compressions is shown to students, they will then need to answer a set of questions. The answers to this task are included in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
Next, students will need to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas about what happens when two or more waves join together. Students can discuss their ideas first before being shown a video demonstrating the process of superposing waves. Students will then complete a fill-in-the-blank task to summarise what they have learned this lesson.
The plenary task requires students to write a WhatsApp message to tell their friends what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 7 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 8 'Electricity & Magnetism’ Unit.
Lessons include:
Charging Up
Current & Charge
Resistance
Potential difference
Series & Parallel Circuits
Magnets & Magnetic Fields
Electromagnets
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the P2 1.1 unit on ‘Electricity & Magnetism’.
The lesson begins with an introduction to electromagnets, students are shown a diagram of an electromagnet and told how an electromagnet is made; students can make a note of these details in their books.
This follows into a video, students will watch the video and whilst watching will be given a series of questions to answer. Once this task is complete, students can then self-assess their work against the mark scheme that is provided.
Students will now be asked to consider what might affect the strength of an electromagnet, students can be given a few minutes to come up with their ideas in pairs before feeding back into a class discussion. Students will now complete an investigation into whether the following two factors - number of coils of wire & voltage - will affect the strength of an electromagnet. Students should follow the instructions provided on the PowerPoint presentation and complete the table of results in their books.
Once the investigation has been completed, students will complete a ‘Quick Check’ task in their books to assess their knowledge of what they have learned this lesson. The mark scheme for this is included for students to self-assess their work once it is complete.
Lastly, students will complete a ‘Copy and Correct’ task whereby students will need to copy a paragraph of information into their books, correcting any of the information that they seem to be erroneous. This task can also be checked against the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation, thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 11 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the ‘Electricity’ unit for the NEW AQA Physics Specification.
Lessons include:
Electrical circuits
Electrical charges & fields
Current & charge
Electrical current & energy transfers
Electrical power & potential difference
6 Resistance & potential difference
7 Series & parallel circuits
8 Cables & plugs
9 Alternating current
Appliances & efficiency
Current-Potential difference Graphs
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, progress checks, practical investigations, exam questions and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 8 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 7 P3 ‘Light’ Unit.
Lessons include:
Light
Reflections
Refractions
The eye and The Camera
Colour
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Physics GCSE, particularly the 'Molecules & Matter’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a recap on the definition for different changes of state - melting, freezing & boiling. Students are then introduced to the idea of ‘impurities’ which can affect the melting/boiling point of a pure substance, i.e. addition of salt to a pan of water you want to boil.
Next, students are shown a graph which shows how the temperature of a substance changes over time, as it is heated. Students will need to sketch the graph into their books, then using the labels provided they can annotate the graph to describe what is happening to the particles of the substance as it changes from a solid -> liquid -> gas. This task, once complete, can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
Next, students are shown a diagram and given some information which helps to explain the energy changes which are occurring as a substance goes through changes of state from a solid to a gas. Students are then given the opportunity of conducting their own investigation to find the melting point of a solid substance, the results they collect from this investigation can be plotted onto a graph.
The last two tasks are aimed at assessing students knowledge of what they have learned so far this lesson, firstly pupils will be given some date - from which they will need to plot a graph and answer some questions. This work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided. Lastly, students are asked to complete an ‘Exam-style’ question which students can then either peer or self assess using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary activity is a ‘Pick a Plenary’ - students will either summarise what they have learned during the lesson in 3 sentences or they will need to write definitions for a list of key words.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Radioactivity’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an introduction to some key terms, including ‘activity’ and ‘count rate’, students can take notes from the board so they have the key definition in their books. Next students will be introduced to the idea of a ‘half-life’, students will be given the definition and shown a graph and a diagram to help illustrate this concept.
Students will then have an opportunity to investigate whether the radioactive is random or predictable, students will be given a coin in pairs and will be asked to flip it 20 times. Can you predict the outcome of the next flip? What was the rough ratio of coins flipped head:tails? This investigation demonstrates that the process of radioactive decay is random but with a large enough sample it is possible to predict the number that will decay in a certain amount of time.
Students will then be shown how to complete half-life calculations using a worked example, before students are given a set of problems to work through. The mark scheme for this work is included in the PowerPoint for students to assess their work.
Pupils are given another worksheet of problems to work through, students must show their working at all time. This task can also be self-assessed or peer-assessed using the mark scheme included in the PowerPoint.
The last task requires students to fill-in-the-blanks on a paragraph which summarises what they have learned this lesson. The answers to this task is also included so students can mark and correct their own work…
The plenary task is for students to write a set of summary sentences about what they have learned this lesson, including as many key words as possible from the list provided.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 P2 ’Sound’.
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This lesson begins with a definition of ‘Friction’, students can take notes on this and then ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas about how friction can be reduced. Two ideas that are then revealed are lubrication using oil/grease or smoothing surfaces down in order to reduce friction.
Students will then need to complete worksheet on frictional forces, once students have completed this task they can either self-assess or peer-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
Next, students are introduced to the idea of a ‘drag force’, including the examples of air resistance and water resistance. Students will then need to create a mind map listing the ways in which the effect of drag forces could be reduced. Once students have discussed and noted their ideas down, their answers can be checked using the answers provided on the PowerPoint.
In the last activity students will be given a set of statements, they will need to sort these statements into either either a ‘True’ or ‘False’ column. Students can then self-assess or peer-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task is a ‘Pick a Plenary’ - so students can either summarise what they have learned in three sentences, or write a definition for a list of key words that students would have learned over the course of the ‘Forces’ topic so far.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This is a resource which meets specification points from the NEW AQA GCSE Physics 'Energy' SoW.
Other lessons from this SoW can be found in my TES Shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins by pupils considering which of the energy resources are renewable or non-renewable. Pupils will then use the posters, which can be placed around the room or on pupils desks, to complete a table which identifies how the energy resource generates electricity and the advantages and disadvantages of each energy resource.
Pupils are then given a list of statements about all power stations which they need to cut and stick (or write) into two columns - advantages or disadvantages. **To challenge higher ability pupils this could be completed at the back of students books, so they cannot use information from the previous task**. Pupils can then peer-assess their work.
The plenary activity is a past-paper question which involves analysing some data on the usage of different power stations between two time periods. The mark scheme is included, pupils can use this to either peer-assess or self-assess their answer.
All resources are included. Please review, I would appreciate any feedback :). Thanks!
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Radioactivity’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with an introduction which includes a brief outline of the various uses of radiation in medicine. Students will then watch a video on the uses of radiation in medicine, during the video they will need to answer a set of questions. This work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided once students have completed the task.
During the next activity, students will each be given a card of information describing a use of radiation in medicine - radioactive tracers, gamma imaging, radiotherapy and radioactive rods. Students will need to share information with each other by walking around the room in order to complete a summary table for all the different uses. The mark scheme for this task in included in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
The next activity requires students to consider the benefits, risks and precautions of using nuclear radiation for medical purposes. Students will be given a card sort and they will need to determine if statements are referring to a benefit, risk or precaution. The answers to this task in included for students to self-assess or peer-assess their work.
The last task is a ‘Quick Check’ activity, students will need to answer a set of questions using what they have learned this lesson. Once this task is complete students can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The plenary task requires students to complete sentence starter, from the selection given, in order to summarise what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This bundle of resources contains 7 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 8 P2 1.1 'Energy’ Unit.
Lessons include:
Foods as Fuel
Energy Stores & Transfers
Energy & Temperature
Energy Transfers: Conduction & Convection
Energy Transfers: Radiation
Energy Resources
Energy & Power
Energy & Work
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This bundle of resources contains 4 whole lessons, along with all additional resources, which meet all learning outcomes within the Year 7 P4 ‘Space’ Unit.
Lessons include:
The Night Sky
The Solar System
The Earth
The Moon
The lessons contain a mix of differentiated activities, videos & animations, progress checks and more than two opportunities, per lesson, for self/peer red-pen assessment of tasks.
This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Radioactivity’ SoW.
For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience
This lesson begins with a recap of the three main types of radiation: alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Students will firstly be asked to draw and label a diagram to show how each of these types of radiation can be stopped.
Students will then be given some information about the penetrating power of these three types of radiation, using the information and their own knowledge students will need to complete a summary worksheet. Once this has been completed students can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.
The next part of the lesson will focus on the dangers of radiation, firstly students will be shown a teacher/technician demonstration of the different types of radiation, outlining some of the dangers and precautions taken when handling radioactive sources. Students can complete a table of information on the relative dangers of these radioactive sources whilst watching the demo. This work can self-assessed against the mark scheme provided once it is complete.
Next, pupils are asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ ideas about how scientists/workers can protect themselves against the hazards of ionising radiation. After a short class discussion the answers can be revealed for students to check their work and take extra notes if necessary.
Lastly, students are asked to think about the uses of radiation, they will be given a list and they will need to determine which are real uses of radiation. The real uses of alpha, beta and gamma radiation can then be revealed on the PowerPoint presentation - students can check their answers and take notes on extra uses.
The plenary task is for students to talk to the person next to them for one minute about what they have learned this lesson.
All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)
This homework activity is designed for the KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 P1.4 Module on ‘Space’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension/revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know @swift_science_education or swift.education.uk@gmail.com, any feedback would be appreciated :)
This homework activity is designed for the KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 P1.2 Module on ‘Sound’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension/revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know @swift_science_education or swift.education.uk@gmail.com, any feedback would be appreciated :)
This homework activity is designed for the KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 8 B2.1 Module on ‘Motion & Pressure’
For more lessons designed for KS3 and KS4 please visit my shop at: /teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience.
This activity contains a set of differentiated questions, it also includes additional extra challenge tasks for higher ability students to complete. This worksheet could be used as a homework or as an extension/revision activity in class.
I have included a comprehensive mark scheme for teacher or self-assessment of the work, there are also details of grade boundaries which I use to RAG pupils work, a full explanation of how I do this is included.
Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know @swift_science_education or swift.education.uk@gmail.com, any feedback would be appreciated :)