Biology teaching resources

Protein Synthesis and Mutations 4 Worksheets,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 16-18 (A-level),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  In this activity pupils build a series of polypeptide chains from a sequence of DNA bases. They then look at the effect of different mutations on the sequence.

Superbugs (Copy with Grave Blow music) 1 Starter,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 16-18 (A-level),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  Health and Disease,  An attention-grabbing powerpoint about the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to stimulate and engage. Has been used successfully with KS4, KS5and able KS3 groups. Add Grave Blow music from 'royalty free music' website for full effect: it should finish just at the final slide leaving an eerie silence.

Lungs vs Gills 1 Worksheet,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  Human and Animal Biology, 

Frankie's science Lab 1 Quiz,  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Physics,  Biology,  Chemistry,  Primary Physics,  Primary Biology,  Primary Chemistry,  This is a fun interactive quiz aimed at KS2 science. The aim is to wander around Frankie's house and collect body parts for his creature by finding certain objects. The questions include topics on teeth,forces, plants and types of changes. Great to do as a group activity to see who can find the object first!

Pests and pest control 1 Presentation,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Geography,  Biology,  Ecosystems,  Energy and the environment,  A powerpoint to introduce the topic of pests and how they can be controlled. The damage that pests can do is illustrated, along with some examples of pests. A simple introduction to pest control methods is given, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Animated pictures of animals 'speaking' and 'thinking' help tell the story - lower ability classes love it!

Intro to the Science Lab 1 Presentation,  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Physics,  Biology,  Chemistry,  Primary Physics,  Primary Biology,  Primary Chemistry,  Smart Notebook file introducing pupils to laboratory safety, equipment and measuring. Incorporates simple visual drag and drop activities.

Taxis and Kinesis 3 Presentations,  3 Worksheets,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 16-18 (A-level),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  Introduces taxis and kinesis responses in flatworms/woodlice/maggots. I assume that students will have done the choice chamber experiments (an adapted version of which accompanies the powerpoint). The spreadsheet makes data analysis easier (save it as a template to avoid students ovewriting it).

Harry Potter and the Variable Traits 1 Presentation,  3 Worksheets,  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  A lesson plan, powerpoint and worksheet to help students explore continuous and discrete variation. Powerpoint uses the Harry Potter characters to provide a data set for students to interpret. Worksheet includes an extension for more able students.

Describing habitats 1 Other,  1 Presentation,  2 Worksheets,  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  Human and Animal Biology,  Plants,  Energy and the environment,  An activity developed to get students to think about the conditions of different habitats in which some animals/plants might be adapted to live. Then the main task, students are split into groups and given a habitat to study, using textbooks, internet etc. The aim is for them to make a presentation for the group. I would have the groups peer assess each other as well. Nice catchy song too :)

Species sampling template 1 Presentation,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Primary Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  Plants,  Energy and the environment,  A template which can be used outside the classroom to record species and variation.

Interdependence word matching 1 Worksheet,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  Plants,  Energy and the environment,  A key word matching starter on ecological relationships. Also the photosynthesis and respiration word equations.

Fermentation worksheet 1 Worksheet,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Plants,  A worksheet devised so the students independently learn about fermentation wither using textbooks or the internet. It could also be used as a test of their knowledge.

Intensive Vs Organic farming Debate 1 Worksheet,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Biology,  Energy and the environment,  A task to research farming methods in their local area, with the idea that a farm is up for sale in the neighbourhood and there are two bidders for it, one who wants to create an intensive farm and one an organic farming. They can write a speech to deliver to the council with all the information on both types of faming anf their views on this matter stating why one is more suitable.

Nervous system and senses 1 Presentation,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  An introduction to the senses and sense organs. The CNS, the process of recieving a stimulus to the response. Reflecx arc.

Microbes Bingo 1 Starter,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Health and Disease,  Microbes bingo can be used to review learning at the end of the lesson or as a starter or fun revision tool.

Revision Mindmaps for B7 unit 5 Revisions,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  Plants,  Energy and the environment,  Revision mindmaps based on the 21st Century B7 Unit. I use this one as a revision homework, getting the students to fill in a couple of sections after the relevant lesson and recommend that they do so from memory as much as possible

B7 New technologies lesson 2 Presentations,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Biology,  Genetics and evolution ,  Human and Animal Biology,  Lessons on Genetic modification based on the 21st Century Science Scheme of work

The History of Science Theory 1 Presentation,  Age 14-16 (KS4 / GCSE),  Age 16-18 (A-level),  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Physics,  History,  Biology,  Chemistry,  Heat and Gases,  Radioactivity and atoms,  Structures and Bonding,  Forces and Motion,  Space,  Electricity and Circuits,  The Periodic Table,  Waves and Particles,  Primary Physics,  Fields: gravitational and electrical,  This PPT has been researched to include all famous scientists, inventors and philosophers over the past 20 centuries. It includes the major theories that are visited in both KS3 and KS4. The task is to do a timeline of some or all of the theorists. Includes a definition of 'a theory' and a plenary of guess the famous scientists. Promotes discussion on important theories and inventions.

Ecology project: Costa lotta coffee 1 Presentation,  1 Worksheet,  Age 11-14 (KS3),  Biology,  Human and Animal Biology,  Plants,  Energy and the environment,  This resource can be used either as an introduction to ecological relationships, as project or as a review session to reinforce the main ideas. The topic is split into 4 tasks which can be done together or split into separate lesssons. Each task is presented with levelled activities which are matched to the national curriclum for level 5 to 7.

KS2 Science Investigation Starters 1 1 Other,  1 Starter,  Age 7-11 (KS2),  Physics,  Biology,  Chemistry,  Primary Physics,  Primary Biology,  Primary Chemistry,  Dr. Nick and Professor Frink present 8 ideas (testable questions) for Science Investigations. Each one involves a disagreement between the two scientists. Who do pupils think is right? How could they test their predictions? These were designed for a training session I delivered to primary teachers. The Word document includes ideas they came up with for testable questions.