An end of topic test and mark scheme for OCR 2.1.1 Cell structure which includes microscopy. Uploaded in August 2015 so hasn't been tested out on the students yet. Let me know if you spot any errors or problems.

Tarsia file, triominoes to cut out and answer sheet for revision of new OCR B4 topic. Aimed at my top sets so I've enclosed the tarsia file if you want to modify (download software from http://www.mmlsoft.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=viewéid=11éItemid=12). Covers bits of enzymes, photosynthesis, respiration, diffusion and osmosis.

A guide to give to students at the start of AS to help explain the expectations of the course and the level of work and organisation required from them. It's only 4 pages as we're tight on photocopying budgets! I also wanted to include more info about the course, practical tips, standard units, latin roots of scientific words etc.

Powerpoint and handout for lesson about sensory receptors. The handout is passive to reduce the amount of writing that the students had to do and try and engage more discussion. The textbook goes into quite a lot of detail about pigments and having read some examiner comments it doesn’t look like this is necessary (you’ll see a comment over 2 of the slides). Feel free to use as is or edit to your requirements. BSR refers to the Biological Sciences Review magazines which have some useful articles to read.

Lots of maths questions to use for Year 13 biology exam preparation. I searched the AQA database and pulled out 34 questions for practicing maths skills ranging from simple mean calculations, to percentage change, magnification and rates. Still useful for OCR Biology A. I have removed almost all the content-based questions so just the question stem and maths bits of the questions remain. Despite this, it is probably best used with Year 13 who are familiar with the contexts in A2. There are no statistics questions.

Powerpoint for teaching about the principles and uses of gel electrophoresis in gene technologies.

Relates to specification points : "The factors affecting biodiversity" and "the ecological, economic and aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity" Print off the statements and stick onto centre of large piece of paper. Students move between each piece of paper, adding their comments or questions about each statement - in silence. After a certain amount of time they are then allowed to comment on each other's comments. The teacher could get involved too. For more details search internet for 'silent debate'.

Activity / revision mat about haemoglobin based on AQA past paper questions. Also links in a little bit with protein structure and touches on phylogeny. Answers included.

Not necessarily to be used as a lesson powerpoint, just a selection of slides to use or edit about plant diseases and defence for the new OCR Biology A course. This is in no way my specialty, I have just been keeping myself busy whilst on maternity leave! And I've learnt a lot in the process! Most of the info has come from Wikipedia and The American Phytopathological Society (APS) - http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/topics/Pages/OverviewOfPlantDiseases.aspx It also includes links to a couple of excellent SAPS activities and ideas for other activities.

Pupils must arrange the ‘slides’ in the correct order, then they can staple them together to make a flip-book. They should also write a sentence to explain the main events. Also comes with answer sheet.

Adapted from a Living Links lesson (http://www.living-links.org/resources/materials-for-teachers/measuring-behaviour-lesson-plan/) for use with a low ability year 8 group. Loosely matches the OxBox Science works specification for Topic 4 'Shaping Life&' I do this following a lesson on animals that live in groups and show a variety of videos from the Social behaviour section of http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations.

Here are 35, mostly short answer questions that can be used for various quiz formats or as a written task. I use them with the buzzer powerpoint which is basically a slide with 2 pictures of a buzzer on that when tapped make a funny noise (it's not amazing so suggested improvements are welcome!). 2 pupils come to the IWB and a quiz master reads a question from the list. Whoever buzzes first correctly gets to stay at the board, and the other one has to sit down and someone else takes their place (winner stays on). The questions are probably more suitable for higher students.

A worksheet of keywords and possible questions for the Additional Science Ideas in Context exam (hypothermia). Sorry no answers yet.

** UPDATED 03/03/20 ** A starting point for talking about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak including facts, pictures and ideas for questions and discussions. Could be used when discussing infectious diseases, viral structure, vaccines, clinical trials, PCR etc. Up to date as of 03-03-20 Made in google slides but hopefully has been translated into Powerpoint ok.

Some possible questions for the Ideas in Context section on 'Alien Invaders&'. I&';m afraid I've only done it quickly so it&'s not an exhaustive list of Qs. ***NEW - some answers now available on the powerpoint***

Useful for revision

**UPDATED** with contributions from @jk_graves. A list of common statements given by students in Biology exams that do not get credit due to incorrect wording (based on my experience from OCR). Get them to try and spot the mistake and then write the correct version. Students always get frustrated because they have the right idea of what the correct answer should be but they do not state exactly as the examiner wants it. Losing 4-5 marks this way can sometimes be a whole grade. Sorry no answers - hopefully you can spot what's wrong!

A reading activity for reviewing or revising ecological concepts for A Level Biology in the context of the 2019/20 Australian bushfires. Some short answer questions to test understanding of keywords and concepts followed by some questions which could be used for class discussion or set as a group exercise. Also includes links to other articles to read and a short video to watch. Source of article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/20/more-than-100-threatened-species-australian-bushfires-towards-extinction

Good for revision of Air Quality topic

A relatively short questionnaire to get students thinking about how they work academically. I made it for my year 9 tutor group to complete at the start of the year. The students have to decide how they match up to a list of characteristics e.g. I complete and hand in my homework on time. The idea is that the list of characteristics are those shown by successful students. The aim is then to compile a short list of strengths and areas to improve. Could be done as a class or small groups with discussion. It is not exhaustive but I find stuents get put off by long questionnaires.