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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 - Vacuum Flask
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Vacuum Flask

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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 - Terminal Velocity
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Terminal Velocity

(1)
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, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) 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!
KS3 Science/STEM Club
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KS3 Science/STEM Club

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With a busy schedule sometimes it's hard to enjoy running a STEM Club if you have to think of tasks every week, especially towards the end of the year. Over the summer I created a scheme of work for your STEM Club. It was divided into themes, e.g. Superheroes and Fairy Tales. One and a half terms in, it seems to be working very well, for our KS3 and KS2 Science Clubs. Not all the resources are mine, but I've attached help sheets for some session. Most of the information is in the spread sheet outlining each session I hope you enjoy using this and it makes your life that little bit easier. For the Plastics Challenge information please go to http://practicalaction.org/plastics-challenge
Star Wars Science - Speed = Distance / Time
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Star Wars Science - Speed = Distance / Time

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This is for a KS3 class, but could be used for KS4 too. It is Star Wars themed. Pupils begin by doing a code breaker, which will give them the equation to calculate speed. Pupils then watch a Star War Mario Kart race and use a stopwatch to determine when events in the race happened, and filling out the data entry sheet (this has the speed Mario was going at each point). Pupils then turn their data into a graph and calculate the distance between set point on the graph by drawing rectangles and triangles and calculating area. Pupils then finally complete an exit ticket, which has a number of speed questions on it.
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.
2 Year STEM/Science Club Plan Bundle
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2 Year STEM/Science Club Plan Bundle

3 Resources
Using both of these plans you can have a STEM Club on a two year rotation, assuming you run it for Year 7 and Year 8. Resources and links are all included. Also includes a trip plan for any clubs that do trips.
QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Deforestation
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Deforestation

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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!
Earthquakes in the Natural History Museum
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Earthquakes in the Natural History Museum

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This booklet was made for a KS3 trip to the Natural History Museum, London. The front of the booklet has a table indicating what the pupils are to take away from the trip (green = lower ability to blue = higher ability). The higher ability tasks include the entire booklet and blue boxes. I hope this helps anyone who is planning a trip but needs some resources to go with it. The answers can also be assessed (WWW/EBI) when you're back in school.
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.
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)
Jurassic Park - Insulation
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Jurassic Park - Insulation

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This is a KS3 lesson with a Jurassic Park theme. Pupils begin by brainstorming ways that heat is lost in a house. They then do a QR hunt to research different types of insulation in buildings, I put mine up around the school or room in the places you would find that particular type of insulation. Pupils then write a letter to John Hammond describing how he could reduce heat loss in his park. Finally pupils attempt a QWC question using a writing frame.
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
QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Circuit Breaker
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Circuit Breaker

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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 - National Grid
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - National Grid

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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, a success criteria (directly from the mark scheme) 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 - X-Ray Vs. Ultrasound
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - X-Ray Vs. Ultrasound

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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 - Alfred Wegener
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Alfred Wegener

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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 - Crumple Zones
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QWC Writing Frame with picture prompt - Crumple Zones

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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!
New AQA ELC and Combined: Trilogy
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New AQA ELC and Combined: Trilogy

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Have you got low ability pupils that you don't think will be able to cope with the intensity of next year of the AQA Combined Trilogy? Have you considered double entry? These planning resources show how you could teach the ELC content as well as meet the requirements for the Combined Trilogy so you can double enter your lower ability pupils. This way if they do not achieve in the Trilogy they can at least have an entry level certificate. These planning resources show how you would teach the Year 10 (Year 11 to follow) and how the TDAs of the ELC map with the Required Practicals of the Combined Trilogy. Hope this helps anyone who is concerned with their lower ability pupils next year.
Differentiating QWC Writing Frames Guide
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Differentiating QWC Writing Frames Guide

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Firstly, I would like to say thank you for purchasing or considering purchasing a QWC writing frame or bundle. I have found these an amazing resource, which if why I have made so many. But, how could they be differentiated? I know how tempting it can be to use these as a standalone task, and even stretch it out into a lesson. This document gives some ideas on how to differentiated for different classes as well as other activities you could do with the frames.