The start of Term 4 means two things: Firstly, 2024 QCE Biology content has started (or is about to begin) and secondly, the data test is around the corner.
How many times have students asked you
- What do I do in an ‘infer’ question?
- Can we have more time to practice for the data test?
The strategies and activities below will help students maximise their marks through building confidence in addressing the literacy demands of each cognitive verb.
Unpacking cognitive verbs - deep dive in understanding and application
- Overview: Builds meaning behind each cognitive verb
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Size: Individual, pairs or table groups
- When: After explicit teaching, hook or exit activity
Activity 2 - 'I have, who has’ cognitive verbs edition
- All potential cognitive verbs noted by QCAA
- Cognitive verbs in the Biology IA sample
- Overview: Chain game to test knowledge in a collaborative environment
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Size: Whole class, 3+ students
- When: Hook or exit activity
- Make it a game: Split the class in two and set up the activity as a competitive time trial, or have the whole class together and get them to try and beat their time from the previous lesson
- Overview: Helps to understand the nuances and create examples of verbs in action
- Time: 10-20 minutes
- Size: Individual, pairs or table groups
- When: After students have developed an understanding of each cognitive verb
Reminder: If subscribed to Edrolo for Biology Units 3&4, you and your students have access to the ‘Data Test Assessment Masterclass’ too!
*Like most great ideas in education, these are not new. We’re not claiming them as our ideas, we’ve simply used them, relied on them, loved them, and now collated them.
