Let YouTube help you teach Science #9

Today I would like to recommend an outstanding YouTube channel called Freesciencelessons. It features a fantastic selection of videos linked directly to the exam papers. Here´s an example of one of their videos:

The channel offers a number of playlists for all sciences. The videos are short and use easy to understand language and good visuals.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Edexcel 6 marker chemistry questions

For some students 6 marker questions are a real nightmare and they tend to ignore them during exams. With a bit of regular practice it is easy to develop skills which will allow the pupils to tackle those questions. I went through 3 years of Edexcel Chemistry GCSE papers and put together a document with all the 6 marker questions. I referenced each paper so you can easily find the right mark scheme. These questions can be used as homework tasks, extension tasks and with the mark scheme for peer assessment. The document consists both foundation and higher questions.


Click here to download a set of 6 marker questions.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #4

Cells is probably the first topic all students cover in their first biology lesson when they join secondary school. It's often the first occasion when they use the microscope and you get a lot of "wows" in the classroom as they look at different specimens. I like using the video below as fun introduction or in the revision lesson. I like the fact it also reinforces correct spelling of scientific key works with the lyrics coming on the screen.

Which topic/s could you use this video with?
- Biology - cells
- Animal vs. plant cell

Key words:
- animal cell, cell, chloroplast, cytoplasm, membrane, mitochondria, nucleus, organelle, plant cell, vacuole

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Separation techniques summary table

Both KS3 and KS4 students have to learn about different separation techniques. It's a great unit which allows a few hands-on practicals. Once the unit is done, I like to give my students a simple homework task which allows them to consolidate gained knowledge. It's a summary table which you can download directly from my TES profile (KS3 and KS4).

KS3 table includes filtration, evaporation, chromatography and simple distillation. I differentiated the table by including labelled diagrams for those students who are less able. For KS4 students, I also added decantation. I found this resource to be an effective tool for revision and at the same time it allows me to teach my students how to use tables for revision. Also, because the space in the table is restricted, they are forced to include only the most essential information and write in a note form which is a great exam technique.

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina

Let YouTube help you teach Science #1

YouTube is a great platform where you can find loads of interesting educational videos. These can become extremely useful to help students visualise complex concepts, revise material learnt and just simply enjoy Science. Here's the first installment of a series I'm going to call Let YouTube help you teach Science. 

Which topics could you use this video with?

- alkali metals
- properties of group 1 metals
- reactivity series
- reactions: alkali metals + water as well as alkali metals + oxygen
- safety precautions during experiments

Key words: alkali metals, corrosion, metallic lustre, lilac flame, vigorous reaction, safety screen

I wish you great lessons!

Karolina