1. How to Help your Child in Science Mrs Thompson – Head of Biology Miss Terrington – Head of Chemistry Dr Timney – Head of Physics Exam Board: OCR GCSE Twenty First Century Science Triple Science: Biology A Chemistry A Physics A “Double” Science: GCSE core = ‘science A’ + GCSE additional = ‘Additional Science A’ Revision Guides? Topics 1,2,3 Topics 4,5,6

2. Triple Science: Biology A http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-biology-a-j243-from-2012/ Chemistry A http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-chemistry-a-j244-from-2012/ Physics A http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-physics-a-j245-from-2012/ Exam Board: OCR GCSEs Twenty First Century Science “Double Science” is these two GCSEs: Science A (‘core science’) GCSE http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-science-a-j241-from-2012/ Plus Additional Science A GCSE http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-additional-science-a-j242-from-2012/ Students doing “Core Science” are just studying this one: Science A (‘core science’) GCSE http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-twenty-first-century-science-suite-science-a-j241-from-2012/

3. Revision Guides? Active Revision ! Eg …. Mind Maps ‘Processing’ Flash cards of key words & definitions ‘Revision Bunting’ / post it notes Y11 Revision Website Edmodo Help will be at hand at…

4. The idea of ‘bespoke mind maps’ are that they are individual to the learner. This one is shown as an example. It uses a mixture of pictures / diagrams and colour, as well as words to trigger the memory. This particularly suits more ‘spatial learners’ / visual learners. If you want to find out what type of learner you / your child is, there are various website where you can find this out eg: http://www.vark- learn.com/english/page.asp?p=younger Emphasis is added by changing the size / width of arrows.

5. Word & ‘visual’ prompt ‘Definition’ needs to be ‘student-speak’ Add a ‘personal association’ with it – to aid memory retrieval of the definition. My Granddad’s cat kept dragging mice into the house because it is a good predator !

6. Visual Representation Word Biology Chemistry Physics Cards are colour coded: Green for biology Blue for chemistry Yellow for physics This can help students to ‘file’ the information correctly & it fits in with the colour codes that we use for exercise books in class. Design of flashcards:

7. Personal Association Student Definition This enables the brain to make a link’ that is attached to emotion / one’s own experiences. The link between the word and the definition is then reinforced by repeated ‘retrieval’ from the brain or by ‘rehearsal’. between the word and the definition because it has a ‘personal association This needs to be ‘active’, not ‘passive’; so making the brain ‘do stuff’, not just staring at a book! Going through the flash cards time & time again is (akin to practising a dance move or tennis stroke). Design of flashcards – back of flashcards:

8. Word & ‘visual’ prompt ‘Definition’ needs to be ‘student-speak’ … not copied from the internet! Add a ‘personal association’ with it – to aid memory retrieval of meanings. This is an example of a flash card that is not quite right, although it does have some redeeming features !

9. For those who are interested, this is some further information about how psychologists think the ‘mind’ works. The idea with learning is to shift things into ‘long term memory’. Students (additional & triple science) will be learning more about this in biology topic B6. If you are interested, there is information in their revision guides – topic Biology B6

10. For those who are interested, this is some further information about how psychologists think ‘learning’ works. ‘Repetition’ helps to shift things into long term memory by reinforcing connections between some neurons (‘brain cells’) more than others. This is why revision techniques like flash cards can be helpful because it involves repetition eg the meanings / use of key words – it’s like practising dance moves or tennis strokes. Students (additional & triple science) will be learning more about this in biology topic B6. If you are interested, there is information in their revision guides – topic Biology B6

11. Example of flash cards in maths