Homework for A level science

[WH40smama]

I teach science including at A level. I don’t feel like I’ve ever got homework quite right and would like to get into more of a system this year. I would like to set regular exam questions and also other homework that is to help student develop revision and independent study skills, without me generating too much to mark. Would welcome hearing what other people do. I will see this class twice a week.

I'm actually a humanities teacher, but my science teacher friend uses Seneca.

Thank you for your reply. I’m quite keen to avoid Seneca or something similar if possible as they use this at KS3 and KS4 (and don’t love it!) so it would be nice to have a change.

Seneca is full of errors too. Apparently they will correct them if told but i am buggered if i am using platforms then doing their homework for the,.Also think about the skills you need to embed and recall is only a small part.
Basically 2 sections, one not really monitored eg reading, you tube videos etc
other Past paper questions, marked by you, heavily monitored

We used Uplearn which those of us in the classroom (on both sides) detest, but SLT seem to love it. Apparently the quality is variable between subjects.

I actually think the CGP workbooks are decent for mixing up with exam questions. They could be peer or sled marked with the answers provided too as they tend to be questions without much nuance to them.

Zigzag also make some really good stuff for chemistry, definitely would encourage you to have a look at what they have.

Self marked of course. Although now I want to invent 'sled-marking' as a new fad and become an edu-celeb.

Isaac Science. Used to be only physics but there are now chemistry and biology (think these are only at a level at the moment but working towards lower ages) questions in there as well. Free and run by the university of Cambridge and very helpful support if needed.

You need to create an account and then email them to upgrade to a teacher account. Bit more of a learning curve than Seneca for setting assignments but worth it. Check with any physics colleagues if they already use it.

I do a consolidation task that requires them to make something to summarise the learning eg A4 summary sheet for the weeks lessons/ revision cards.

A reading task for either this weeks or next weeks lessons OR research task with evidence (annotations)
A question task either exam or put the reading task into chat gpt and it generates comprehension questions. Only mark exam equations and just eyeball revision and reading, use the comprehension questions to stimulate a discussion at the start.

Thank you for all these ideas, they’re really helpful. I had heard of Isaac physics but didn’t realise they did a biology version too - I will definitely look into that. All your answers have confirmed that I want to set up a system of some exam questions, some revision tasks etc. If I keep it consistent hopefully the children will get into the routine.