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Original poster

Yr9 best way to practice science

36 replies

Bourbons99999 · 21/04/2021 18:58

Which is the best way to practice science for Year 9?
DD is fine at biology, needs practice at physics and especially chemistry.
I really want her to do single science and the decision is based on Yr 9 exams in a few months but I don't know the Mose effective way to practice or revise.
She's not even being set homework for chemistry at the moment so I want her to start to do something but I don't know what! I can't really afford a tutor. I know how I revised at uni but don't think she has the patience for writing things out over and over again. I looked at Seneca but didn't think it was that good really,
Help! Thanks

OP posts:
ThereWasThisBoy · 22/04/2021 07:49

CGP books worked great for my son. His own notes from class were shocking so he basically just revised from CGP books and some YouTube videos.

Seeline · 22/04/2021 07:43

Most kids don't find writing notes a particularly useful way of revising. More active ways are encouraged.
Mindmaps
Flash cards
Practice questions
Interactive quizzes
YouTube videos etc

Most importantly, make it targeted. Short bursts on specific sub-topics.

roguetomato · 22/04/2021 06:38

My dc's school recommended parents to buy CGP books(work book/complete study & practice) at the beginning of yr7. My dc(yr8) has been working though it at home. Also the school subscribe to science site and student has full access to it, so my dc is practically using it every day, even without set homework. Does your dd has access to the site like that from school?

TeenMinusTests · 22/04/2021 06:24

I think Seneca and CGP books both have their place.

OP - don't forget that if doing combined then a good biology pulls up a poor chemistry Smile . Though I accept that because you can't mix tiers in combined whereas with individual subjects she could do higher for biology and foundation for chemistry.

Original poster
Bourbons99999 · 21/04/2021 22:41

@LarkDescending

Would she need to write notes from the CGP book? Our experience has been that just going through the book in topic “chunks” and doing the exercises and practice tests is really helpful.

We have (and use):

Seneca
CGP KS3 Science (Higher Level) Complete Revision & Practice
Letts KS3 Maths, English & Science Practice Test Papers

The Letts tests are good for finding weaker areas to go back and work on.

Thanks for the reply. I think Seneca and me quizzing will probably be the best, I've signed up for chemsheets too (her teacher uses these a lot)
OP posts:
LarkDescending · 21/04/2021 22:36

Would she need to write notes from the CGP book? Our experience has been that just going through the book in topic “chunks” and doing the exercises and practice tests is really helpful.

We have (and use):

Seneca
CGP KS3 Science (Higher Level) Complete Revision & Practice
Letts KS3 Maths, English & Science Practice Test Papers

The Letts tests are good for finding weaker areas to go back and work on.

Original poster
Bourbons99999 · 21/04/2021 20:26

I suppose what I'm asking is how useful is it to write notes from a CGP book compared to Seneca? If someone was going to do say 4 hours a week which would be more effective? She is being set no homework for chemistry and during lockdown had no feedback at all, her last test was low which isn't really surprising

OP posts:
Original poster
Bourbons99999 · 21/04/2021 20:22

@TeenMinusTests

Why are you so keen on her doing triple science rather than double/combined/dual (whichever it is called these days)?

Does she want to do triple? In our school that would be 14 lessons per fortnight. Dual is 10.

CGP guides are good.

Hi, because her Biology is really good if she does combined science that grade will be dragged down by a poor chemistry score. If she does all 3 even if she fails chemistry she still has 2 GCSEs at a good grade.

It's the school that ultimately make the decision based on her work so far and year 9 exams so I wanted something to help her with the exam

OP posts:
Original poster
Bourbons99999 · 21/04/2021 20:19

@Seeline

Seneca was really good for my DD for GSCE revision - I think it does the lower levels too.

BBC bitesize is good for the basics

CGP books are good too - you need to get the right ones for the syllabus she will be studying for GSCEs - I assume they have already started the course in Y9. If not I think they do pre-GCSE levels too.

Thanks for the Seneca vote of confidence, I think that might be a good help, I've just had another look at it. She has the CGP books itt to a just the easiest way to get it into her brain, lol
OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 21/04/2021 19:19

Why are you so keen on her doing triple science rather than double/combined/dual (whichever it is called these days)?

Does she want to do triple? In our school that would be 14 lessons per fortnight. Dual is 10.

CGP guides are good.

Seeline · 21/04/2021 19:02

Seneca was really good for my DD for GSCE revision - I think it does the lower levels too.

BBC bitesize is good for the basics

CGP books are good too - you need to get the right ones for the syllabus she will be studying for GSCEs - I assume they have already started the course in Y9. If not I think they do pre-GCSE levels too.

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