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  • Twenty First Century Science Suite - Biology B (9-1) - J257 (from 2016)

GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Biology B (9-1) - J257 Teaching from 2016

Twenty First Century Science Suite - Biology B (9-1) - J257 (from 2016)

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  • Specification at a glance
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Planning and teaching

Changes for 2021

  • Your guide to the changes for 2021 PDF 78KB

Planning

  • Support highlights A comprehensive collection of resources to help you quickly get up to speed in the classroom and support your students in preparing for exams. These materials will focus your teaching on individual abilities of students, help determine their capabilities and above all save you time. PDF 835KB
  • B1: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 164KB
  • B2: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 163KB
  • B3: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 174KB
  • B4: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 164KB
  • B5: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 172KB
  • B6: outline scheme of work J257 J260 - This resource provides planning guidance with suggested teaching times for the topics within the specification, along with a sample scheme of work for the specified topic. DOCX 162KB
  • Annual planning for Twenty First Century Sciences This resource provides suggested models for teaching single sciences and combined sciences over 2, 2½ and 3 years. A tool is included to modify these models to fit your centre's curriculum plan. XLSX 164KB

Delivery guides

Delivery guides (online)

  • B1: You and your genes
  • B2: Keeping healthy
  • B3: Living together - food and ecosystems
  • B4: Using food and controlling growth
  • B5: The human body - staying alive
  • B6: Life on Earth - past. present and future

Delivery guides (PDF)

  • Keeping healthy This delivery guide will help teachers plan for, and teach about, keeping healthy by providing a range resources to ignite excitement both inside and outside of the classroom. PDF 3MB
  • Living together - food and ecosystems Living together is a delivery guide that will help teachers plan for, and teach about, the topic by providing a range resources to enthuse students throughout their study. PDF 2MB
  • Using food and controlling growth This guide will help teachers plan for and teach 'Using food and controlling growth' by giving guidance on key concepts and suggesting classroom activities. PDF 3MB
  • Using food and controlling growth student resource This resource should be used in conjunction with the food and controlling growth delivery guide. DOC 191KB
  • You and your genes This guide will help teachers plan for and teach the topic of genes by giving guidance on key concepts and suggested classroom activities. A range of worksheets and answers are provided within the delivery guide. PDF 4MB

Teaching activities

  • Building a topic test using ExamBuilder Instructions on how to create your own practice test DOCX 878KB
  • Exambuilder exemplar Instructions on how to create your own practice paper, with a Foundation example. - interchange login required
  • Language of measurement in context - Biology

    The purpose of this exemplar investigation is to illustrate the use of the language of measurement terms in the context. DOC 751KB

  • Quizzes (ZIP) interchange login required
  • B6 Life on Earth - past present and future - end of topic quiz Topic quiz built using the ExamBuilder bank of questions - interchange login required
  • Selected response quizzes (ZIP) interchange login required
  • How to answer 6 mark LOR activities J247-J250 J257-J260 - Designed to show how to tackle six mark LOR questions. ZIP 4MB
  • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration This topic addresses the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and the differences in anaerobic respiration in animals and microorganisms. DOCX 894KB
  • Asexual and sexual reproduction This classroom activity explains some of the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction in a range of organisms. DOCX 572KB
  • Comparing light and electron microscopes This activity is designed to be used as a consolidation tool for the light microscope and an introduction to the electron microscope. PPTX 3MB
  • Comparing light and electron microscopes teacher instructions This resource supports the 'comparing light and electron microscopes' teaching activity. DOCX 362KB
  • DNA modelling This activity is designed to consolidate the idea of the basic structure of DNA and complimentary base pairing. DOCX 910KB
  • DNA modelling activity This activity is designed to consolidate the idea of the basic structure of DNA and complimentary base pairing. It can then be used as a foundation for higher ability students to build on. DOC 3MB
  • DNA modelling teacher instructions These instructions are for use with the teaching activity on DNA modelling. PDF 325KB
  • Hormone control of menstruation This resource provides a data set and associated graphs to help students compare and understand hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. XLSX 155KB
  • Menstrual cycle Menstrual cycle is an activity that will help teachers plan for the topic by providing a range resources. DOCX 2MB
  • Mitosis and meiosis The activity is about mitosis and meiosis in animal cells. This activity is designed to access higher order thinking, analysing and creating skills. DOCX 869KB
  • Natural selection Natural selection is an activity that will help teachers plan for the topic by providing a range resources. DOCX 928KB
  • Negative feedback This activity introduces the idea of negative feedback and exemplifies it using temperature control in mammals and birds. DOCX 1MB
  • Photosynthesis - space farm activity This exercise aims to use class discussion, student research, creative thinking and practical activities to explore the fundamental concepts of photosynthesis. DOCX 857KB
  • Plant diseases Suggested activities that can be used to develop the learning and understanding of the plant disease topic. DOCX 3MB
  • Plant growth hormones This activity would be ideal as the first lesson on this area of the specification, introducing the role of auxins in phototropism and gravitropism. DOCX 629KB
  • Roots and shoots This resource contains a modelling activity to demonstrate the role that auxins play in plant growth. DOCX 503KB
  • Roots and shoots presentation This presentation should be used with the roots and shoots teaching activity. PPTX 149KB
  • Sexual reproduction – kittens and variation This activity is designed to be used as an introduction into the inheritance of alleles during sexual reproduction and to demonstrate the link between genotype and phenotype. DOC 2MB

Topic exploration packs

  • Gene technology This resource focuses on the of topic of gene technology. The pack provides a range of activities to develop student understanding of this topic and provides additional teacher guidance and activity answers. DOCX 772KB
  • Gene technology student activity This activity sheet should be used with the topic exploration pack on gene technology. DOCX 530KB

Teacher guides

  • Glossary of terms Glossary of terms relating to practicals. DOC 183KB
  • Level of response questions This guide helps teachers understand how a mark scheme is applied to exam questions, with particular focus on level of response questions. PDF 673KB
  • Skills guides

Transition guides

  • Interdependence Focusing on the topic of interdependence, this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 591KB
  • Interdependence checkpoint Designed to help teachers assess students' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the Interdependence transition guide. DOC 1MB
  • Natural selection Focusing on the topic of natural selection, this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 525KB
  • Natural selection checkpoint Designed to help teachers assess students' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the natural selection transition guide. DOC 1MB
  • Photosynthesis Focusing on the topic of photosynthesis, this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 585KB
  • Photosynthesis checkpoint Designed to help teachers assess students' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the photosynthesis transition guide. DOC 897KB
  • Photosynthesis student resource 1 This student activity should be used with the photosynthesis transition guide. DOC 188KB
  • Photosynthesis student resource 2 This student activity should be used with the photosynthesis transition guide. DOC 723KB
  • Photosynthesis student resource 3 This student activity should be used with the photosynthesis transition guide. DOC 485KB
  • Photosynthesis teacher resource This presentation should be used in conjunction with student resource 1 from the photosynthesis transition guide. PPT 192KB
  • Reproduction Focusing on the topic of reproduction this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 2MB
  • Reproduction checkpoint Designed to help teachers assess student' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the reproduction transition guide. DOC 2MB
  • Respiration Focusing on the topic of respiration, this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 564KB
  • Respiration checkpoint task Designed to help teachers assess students' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the respiration transition guide. DOC 841KB
  • You and your genes Focusing on the topic of chromosome models, genes and DNA this guide looks at the transition from KS3 to KS4. PDF 2MB
  • You and your genes checkpoint Designed to help teachers assess students' current knowledge level, this is designed to be used with the you and your genes transition guide. DOC 36MB

Practical activities

  • Practical support guide A list of practical activities and resources suitable for each PAG. Very helpful for revision work and where practical activities are not possible.  DOCX 158KB 10 days ago
  • Practical skills booklets A set of booklets containing activities covering the combined and separate science practical skills criteria. ZIP 9MB
  • Biology practical tracker Manage your students’ progress in their practical work and mapping of the required skills and techniques with this tracker. ZIP 1MB
  • Biology student record sheet A method of tracking a student's progress through the practical part of the course. DOC 982KB
  • Microscale gel electrophoresis A simple, low-cost practical activity to demonstrate gel electrophoresis. DOCX 169KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Microbiological techniques - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 7 and Combined Science PAG B5 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 593KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Microbiological techniques - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 7 and Combined Science PAG B5 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 422KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Microscopy - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 1 and Combined Science PAG B1 for the new GCSEs DOCX 472KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Microscopy - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 1 and Combined Science PAG B1 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 386KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Photosynthesis - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 5 and Combined Science PAG B4 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 1MB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Photosynthesis - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 5 and Combined Science PAG B4 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 353KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Photosynthesis - Suggestion 3 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 5 and Combined Science PAG B4 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 406KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Physiology - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 6 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 353KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Physiology - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 6 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 415KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Rates of enzyme controlled reactions - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 4 and Combined Science PAG B3 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 1MB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Rates of enzyme controlled reactions - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 4 and Combined Science PAG B3 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 361KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Sampling techniques - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 3 and Combined Science PAG B2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 353KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Sampling techniques - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 3 and Combined Science PAG B2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 410KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Sampling techniques - Suggestion 3 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 3 and Combined Science PAG B2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 386KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Testing for biological molecules - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 371KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Testing for biological molecules - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 358KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Testing for biological molecules - Suggestion 3 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 2 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 364KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Transport in and out of cells - Suggestion 1 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 8 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 377KB
  • PAG Activity - Biology - Transport in and out of cells - Suggestion 2 Teacher and learner sheets covering Biology PAG 8 for the new GCSEs. DOCX 1MB

Handbooks

  • Mathematical skills This mathematical skills handbook is designed to accompany the GCSE (9-1) Gateway and Twenty First Century Science specifications for teaching from September 2016. PDF 2MB
  • Mathematical skills Check In This student resource should be used in conjunction with the mathematical skills handbook for the GCSE (9-1) Gateway and Twenty First Century Science specifications. DOC 3MB

Resource lists

  • Periodic table of the elements poster This poster of the periodic table of the elements can be printed to create an A1 poster for your classroom. PDF 1MB

Promoting your subject

  • Women in science A3 posters and desktop wallpapers, presenting the work of prominent female scientists and how this work links to the content in our specifications. You and your students can relate the achievements of these scientists to the work you do in the classroom. ZIP 9MB
  • Delivery guides

    Find guidance on key concepts and creative approaches to delivery with activities in our delivery guides.

    Browse delivery guides >
  • Scheme of work builder

    Create and export your own schemes of work based on specification statements and our new teaching and learning resources.

    Build scheme of work >
  • OCR policy forums

    • Higher Education Forum
      11 November 2020
    • Strategic Advisory Board
      12 November 2020
    • Teacher and Professional Associations' Forum
      19 November 2020

    For more information email us at policy@ocr.org.uk

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