Keystage 3 Science - Half-Term #2
This is a seven-week course for those following the Key Stage 3 curriculum in Science. Interactive classes taught by an experienced science teacher of 20+ years, and ex-examiner for KS3 SATS. Two topics covered per English/Welsh half-term.
What's included
14 live meetings
11 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework will optional and given to learners each week. Model answers will be reviewed at the start of the next lesson, and students will be able to self-mark their assignments.Assessment
At the end of each topic, a short assignment made up of test-style questions will be given to each learner to complete over the next couple of days and turned in. These will be marked by the teacher and learners will be given a grade, comments on their achievement and areas for focus.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
This seven-week course covers topics from the AQA Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum, with two-three new topics covered each half-term. This is scheduled as such to cover the entire curriculum over two years. The suggested age group is 11-14, or covering UK years 7-9. Learners are welcome to book the entire half-term course, or attend individual lessons only, where space permits. Half-term 2 (November to December, 2024) will cover the Physics topics of "Forces" and "Motion" and the Chemistry topic of "States of Matter and Separating Mixtures". As a secondary Science teacher who previously worked as both a KS3 SATS and GCSE marker, learners will be not only taught the required curricular content, but also scientific literacy and numeracy skills alongside exam technique. Hands-on components to the lessons include regular practical experiments (at least one per week), contributions to shared documents and discussions with other learners. My classes are not 'chalk and talk'! Combined with slides, questioning and real-life examples, this creates a well-rounded series of lessons, resulting in an excellent understanding of the topic. Short homework tasks are provided weekly; these are optional but with the understanding that the task will be reviewed at the start of the next class. Learners are recommended to use a physical exercise book to write lesson notes in and to add any printed worksheets to, and not to simply rely on online resources. At the end of each topic, we will review key ideas and exam technique, culminating in a short assessment on which your young person will receive a grade, comments on their achievement and feed-forward suggestions.
Learning Goals
3.1.1: If the overall, resultant force on an object is non-zero, its motion changes and it slows down, speeds up or changes direction.
3.1.3a: When the resultant force on an object is zero, it is in equilibrium and does not move, or remains at constant speed in a straight line.
Syllabus
14 Lessons
over 7 WeeksLesson 1:
Forces 1: Force Diagrams and Resultant Forces
Learners will be able to:
- Sketch the forces acting on an object, and label their size and direction.
- Calculate resultant forces
- Explain whether an object in an unfamiliar situation is in equilibrium.
- Describe factors which affect the size of frictional and drag forces.
Extension opportunity:
- Discuss how unequal forces affect the movement of objects in motion, and make predictions on its subsequent movement.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Forces 2: Speed Calculations
Learners will be able to:
- Describe qualitatively and quantitatively how the speed of an object varies.
- Use the formula speed = distance (m)/time (s) to calculate speed.
- Carry out a practical to determine an object's speed, using scientific numeracy skills.
Extension opportunity:
- Evaluate the practical by considering bias and reliability.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Forces 3: Distance-Time Graphs
Learners will be able to:
- Illustrate a journey with changing speed on a distance-time graph, and label changes in motion.
- Use a distance-time graph to describe the motion of an object and calculate speed.
Extension opportunity:
- Discuss the motion of an object in terms of the gradient on a graph, explaining why linear relationships rarely occur in real life.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Forces 4: Acceleration
Learners will be able to:
- Predict changes in an object’s speed when the forces on it change.
- Use the acceleration formula to determine an objects change in motion.
- Manipulate this formula to determine the change in speed or the time taken to change speed.
Extension opportunity:
- Consider how the mass of an object affects its acceleration and relate this to resultant forces.
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Learners will need a physical note/exercise book in which to make notes, answer questions, draw diagrams etc. Highlighters and coloured pens can help with making key ideas stand out! Some classes will require a calculator or a ruler. Worksheets will mainly be in PDF format, and printing these out would be beneficial, rather than editing them online.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from University of Wales, Aberystwyth
The teacher, Ms Helen, is a secondary Science teacher with more than 20 years experience in the classroom. She is a Head of Department and has previously been an exam marker for both KS3 SATS, GCSE Sciences and NCEA Level 1 Chemistry (NZ).
She has a postgraduate degree in Biological Sciences, as well as having Teacher Accreditation in both the UK and New Zealand.
Helen has also held a number of additional roles within schools such as, Gifted & Talented Coordinator, Head of Personal, Social & Health Education, Specialist Classroom Teacher, Senior Academic Dean, TiC (Teacher in Charge) of new teachers, and TiC Sexual Health Education.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$38
weekly or $260 for 14 classes2x per week, 7 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-12 learners per class