This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Inheritance, variation and evolution’ SoW.
 
The lesson begins with an introduction to fossils, a definition of a fossil and a task for pupils to think > pair > share how the remains of dead organisms could be preserved for millions of years. After a short classroom discussion about the ideas pupils have come up with, pupils can move on to the next task. Pupils will each be given a different piece of information on the ways in which fossil remains can be preserved. Pupils can move around the room and discuss their cards of information and use each others to take notes on these processes.
 
Pupils will then watch a video on how fossils are formed, using this video pupils will need to answer questions in their books. This work can be self-assessed using the marking criteria provided.
 
The next part of the lesson focuses on why fossils do not provide a complete record of evolution. After this has been explained, using the information and images provided on the PowerPoint slide, pupils can complete some quick check questions on what they have learnt this lesson. Once complete pupils can mark their work using the answers provided.
 
The final task is for pupils to complete a table to demonstrate the evolution of the horse, they will each be given a card of information on a particular stage of evolution. They can use each other to complete the full picture of how the horse evolved, completing their own table in chronological order.
 
The last task is a set of exam-style questions on what pupils have learnt this lesson, they can answer these at the back of their books for an extra challenge. A mark scheme is provided for pupils to assess and correct their work once it is complete.
 
The plenary task is for pupils to summarise what they have learnt this lesson as three facts, three key words and a question to test their peers.