Irish Curriculum · 6th Year Biology

6th Year Biology Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 6th Year Biology lesson plan aligned to the Leaving Certificate Biology specification (first examined in 2027). Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to May, covering response, reproduction and transport, the Biology in Practice Investigation experiment and report, the Interactions of Life strand (ecology, microorganisms and genetic engineering), and revision for the Leaving Cert exam.

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3Terms

36Weekly checkpoints

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6th Year Biology learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice

September · Structures and Processes of Life: Response

6th Year Biology — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Biology

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
September 1st week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Hormonal and nervous systems	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Hormonal and nervous systems 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Hormonal and nervous systems 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 2nd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The musculoskeletal system	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The musculoskeletal system 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The musculoskeletal system 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 3rd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The immune system	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The immune system 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: The immune system 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 4th week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Responses in plants and animals	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Responses in plants and animals 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Response 1: Responses in plants and animals 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

October · Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport

6th Year Biology — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Biology

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
October 1st week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Human reproductive systems	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Human reproductive systems 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Human reproductive systems 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 2nd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Gametes, fertilisation and the menstrual cycle	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Gametes, fertilisation and the menstrual cycle 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Gametes, fertilisation and the menstrual cycle 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 3rd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Diffusion, osmosis and active transport	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Diffusion, osmosis and active transport 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Diffusion, osmosis and active transport 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 4th week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Investigating factors affecting osmosis	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Investigating factors affecting osmosis 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Reproduction and Transport 1: Investigating factors affecting osmosis 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

November · Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer

6th Year Biology — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Biology

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
November 1st week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The digestive system	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The digestive system 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The digestive system 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 2nd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The urinary system and the nephron	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The urinary system and the nephron 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: The urinary system and the nephron 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 3rd week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: ADH and osmoregulation	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: ADH and osmoregulation 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: ADH and osmoregulation 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 4th week (Biology)	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: Transport of nutrients and wastes	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: Transport of nutrients and wastes 2: Practice / retrieval task	Structures and Processes of Life: Transport and Transfer 1: Transport of nutrients and wastes 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

December · Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report)

6th Year Biology — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Biology

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
December 1st week (Biology)	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Planning and designing the experiment	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Planning and designing the experiment 2: Practice / retrieval task	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Planning and designing the experiment 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 2nd week (Biology)	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Collecting primary data	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Collecting primary data 2: Practice / retrieval task	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Collecting primary data 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 3rd week (Biology)	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Analysing data and forming conclusions	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Analysing data and forming conclusions 2: Practice / retrieval task	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Analysing data and forming conclusions 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 4th week (Biology)	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Writing the evidence-based report for the SEC	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Writing the evidence-based report for the SEC 2: Practice / retrieval task	Nature of Science: Biology in Practice Investigation (experiment and report) 1: Writing the evidence-based report for the SEC 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Retrieve and diagnose

Open with short questions that check the prior knowledge needed for the week’s 6th Year Biology topic.

25 minutes

Explore and explain

Work through the concept with diagrams and worked examples, then apply it to data, practicals and Leaving Cert-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short question or data task that shows progress towards the Leaving Cert exam.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 6th Year Biology

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of every unit in the Leaving Certificate Biology specification, in course order.

Practicals & investigations

Guided practicals, data analysis and support with the Biology in Practice Investigation.

Exam-style practice

Leaving Cert Biology questions at Higher and Ordinary Level with worked solutions.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on strengths, gaps and next steps.

Free first lesson

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Tell us your child’s level (Higher or Ordinary) and where they are with Leaving Cert Biology, and we will shape the first grind around the 6th Year Biology topics that matter most.

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