Yr9 best way to practice science

[Bourbons99999]

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

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.

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

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

@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

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

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.

@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)

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 . 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.

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?

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.

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.

Check out the "Thomas Frank" YouTube channel for effective revision strategies. Try the cogscisci website for quality (but hard work) revision resources. Look for SLOP booklets

Does she want to do an A level science? If she does not, why do you want her to do triple science? Both my twins passed the 11 plus, one of them is at grammar school and I am going to ask for them both to do combined science. From the reams of info I have read - doing combined science would not disadvantage her and might help her. Some schools don't even offer triple science all their children do combined science and some of these children will still do A level science. Combined science leaves you with 1 less GCSE - but as long as she has 7 that doesn't matter. And since combined science does not go into as much depth as triple science she will have more time for other subjects. I want my children to do combined science as neither of them like science and they can likely get a better combined science score than a triple science score.

@roguetomato

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?

Do you know which website your school uses please? Thanks

Tassomai and Educake.

@Seeline

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.

Thanks, very useful, things have changed since I used to revise!

@hedgehogger1

Check out the "Thomas Frank" YouTube channel for effective revision strategies. Try the cogscisci website for quality (but hard work) revision resources. Look for SLOP booklets

Thanks

@ThereWasThisBoy

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.

Good to know, thanks

@roguetomato

Tassomai and Educake.

I'll take a look thanks

@ittakes2

Does she want to do an A level science? If she does not, why do you want her to do triple science? Both my twins passed the 11 plus, one of them is at grammar school and I am going to ask for them both to do combined science. From the reams of info I have read - doing combined science would not disadvantage her and might help her. Some schools don't even offer triple science all their children do combined science and some of these children will still do A level science. Combined science leaves you with 1 less GCSE - but as long as she has 7 that doesn't matter. And since combined science does not go into as much depth as triple science she will have more time for other subjects. I want my children to do combined science as neither of them like science and they can likely get a better combined science score than a triple science score.

I'm sure you have read more than I have about it and ultimately it's the school that will decide not me. She still has to catch up either way and I've had some great advice to get started. I didn't know that some schools only offer combined science, I'm sure the teachers will make the right call at the end of the year for her

My DS enjoys using mygcsescience which is good as they are tested on each unit

@roguetomato

Tassomai and Educake.

I hadn't heard of either of these and they look perfect. Which do you think is better in your experience? Thanks

I don't recommend CGP any more. There's a new revision guide that is more structured... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Revise-Combined-Revision-Practice/dp/1382004877/ref=ascdff_1382004877/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=412346448654&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5025170276627576861&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007208&hvtargid=pla-868168835732&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=88633384045&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=412346448654&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5025170276627576861&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007208&hvtargid=pla-868168835732

@hedgehogger1

I don't recommend CGP any more. There's a new revision guide that is more structured... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Revise-Combined-Revision-Practice/dp/1382004877/ref=ascdff_1382004877/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=412346448654&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5025170276627576861&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007208&hvtargid=pla-868168835732&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=88633384045&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=412346448654&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5025170276627576861&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007208&hvtargid=pla-868168835732

She's doing OCR and I can't see one for that syllabus. I've looked at tassomai and might subscribe to that

It looks like educake has to be set up by a school so can't do that and tassomai is £45 a month which is too much, is Seneca the only option then? I don't mind paying £10 a month or something but can't afford £45