This is a lesson which meets specification points within the WJEC GCSE ‘The Sciences’ Double Award (2026) spec, specifically from the Unit 1 - Basis of Life (Biology).

The lesson starts with an overview of the key vocabulary which students will be learning and using this lesson. Students can stick their key word lists into their books before the lesson begins.

The lesson begins by focusing on the location of the main organs in the plant, students are then asked to match the name of the organs to their function. Once this work is self-assessed pupils will watch a video which will outline some of the adaptations a plant has that enables it to carry out photosynthesis.

Pupils are then introduced to the major tissues in the leaf of a plant and are given some information on the location, structure and function of these tissues. Using this information pupils are required to complete a worksheet labelling a cross-section of a leaf. Once finished, pupils can use the mark scheme within the PowerPoint presentation to check their work.

Next, the lesson focuses on the importance if guard cells and stomata for controlling the movement of gases in and out of the plant. Students will be shown a diagram of the cells, and the stomatal pore, and be provided with an explanation of how these structures work to aid the process of photosynthesis.

Students are then asked to consider why plants and the process of photosynthesis is so important. They are reminded of the fact that plants are needed to harness sunlight energy and synthesise organic molecules like glucose which not provides energy to the plant but to all organisms further up the food chain.

The final activity is a past-paper question worksheet that pupils should complete in silence, once finished they can either self-assess or peer-assess using the mark scheme provided.

The plenary is for students to summarise what they have learnt in the lesson by writing 3 facts, 2 key words and posing 1 question to their peers.

Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated. You can contact me on swyftresources@gmail.com.