Complete GCSE Physics core practical lesson investigating water, with PowerPoint, pupil method sheets, technician notes and assertive monitoring resources.

A ready-to-teach Dr B Science CP12c: Core Practical – Investigating Water lesson, designed for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science and easily adaptable for other GCSE specifications.

The lesson combines two practical investigations: measuring how the temperature of crushed ice changes as it melts, and determining the specific heat capacity of water using an immersion heater and joulemeter.

The lesson follows a structured I Do → We Do → You Do approach, with plenty of time for practical work. It uses the INVEST, OBSERVE, GRAPH, CEE, EQUIP, LINK, BUG and CHECK science routines to develop practical, analytical and calculation skills.

Covers:

• Temperature and particle kinetic energy
• Heating and melting ice
• Why temperature remains constant during melting
• Collecting and plotting temperature–time data
• Using GRAPH to draw and interpret a melting curve
• Measuring mass, temperature change and energy transferred
• Determining specific heat capacity
• ΔQ = mcΔθ and rearranging the equation
• Unit conversions
• Sources of energy loss and practical improvements
• Evaluating experimental methods
• GCSE practical and calculation questions

Included:

• Complete PowerPoint with detailed teacher/presenter notes
• Melting ice practical
• Specific heat capacity of water practical
• Illustrated pupil method and results sheets
• Technician notes with equipment, preparation, safety and pre-lesson checklist
• Assertive monitoring teacher sheet for both practicals
• Retrieval Do Now
• Explicit vocabulary teaching
• I Do modelling and We Do guided practice
• INVEST and OBSERVE practical routines
• GRAPH and CEE data analysis
• EQUIP calculation modelling
• LINK practical evaluation
• BUG GCSE exam practice
• Show Me Board and Cold Call checks
• Independent You Do practice
• Exit ticket linked to the key component knowledge

The pupil sheets provide clear methods, apparatus diagrams, safety guidance, results tables, graphing support and structured specific heat capacity calculations.

The assertive monitoring resource includes live marking codes, practical look-fors and responsive questioning covering safety, measurements, observations, graphing, calculations and units.

Ideal for Year 10/11 GCSE Combined Science, required/core practical preparation, mixed-attainment classes, adaptive teaching, lesson observations and teachers developing explicit instruction and checking for understanding.