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School Science Review,
Volume 84, No.309, 2003 (page 147)
Reviewed by: Pauline Lowrie
Advanced Biology 2 Student Resource and Activity Manual 2003
This is the 2003 edition of the familiar and excellent student resource book. The resource covers fully the A2 biology specifications for all the examination boards in England and Wales, as well as senior biology courses in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For those who are not already familiar with this valuable resource, the book consists of highly illustrated text in clear, accessible language, followed by write-on activities to enhance and consolidate student learning. Clear learning objectives are supplied for each section, and there is comprehensive referencing to recent periodical articles, computer software, website addresses, textbooks and commercial videos. This edition includes photographs of the major A-level textbooks, with details of author and publisher, enabling students to link their work in this resource book with their own textbooks. Detailed page references are given for cross-referencing, and details of suppliers of other resources are also provided. Clear grids enable students to identify precisely the pages they need to complete to cover fully the requirements of their examination board. Even the optional topics required by several boards are fully addressed.
The student activities are varied and imaginative, including factual recall and summarising questions, as well as graph plotting, diagram annotation and ‘fill the blanks’ exercises. I particularly like the step-by-step guide to mathematical calculations, such as the chi-squared test in ecology and energy flow through the food chains. There is also a simulated leaf-litter population for sampling, and a cut-out gene pool exercise. The comprehensive model answer book which accompanies the student book, enables students to mark their own work.
These books would also be useful to help students who have been absent to catch up on missed work, or to allow students to work independently if a teacher is absent. It is unlikely that most schools would be able to afford to purchase a manual for each student, but if students can be persuaded to buy their own at the very reasonable bulk order price of £9.95, this would be invaluable. Details of the manual are provided on the BIOZONE website at www.biozone.co.uk, where sample pages can be downloaded. If you are not already familiar with this unique and innovative resource and activity manual, you are urged to visit this website,
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