It's worth thinking carefully about prior learning when planning this topic, as it can draw together and extend learning about the breathing and circulatory systems, energy transfers, diet, exercise, enzymes, the structure of leaves related to function, and so on.
Take a look at Strategies for Progression and Rich Questions: The document Life Processes (Respiration) provides guidance for thinking about progression, as well as ‘rich questions’ to prompt thought in lessons.
The activities in Deep Cells aim to help students understand that the survival of all cells depends on energy and the linked processes of respiration and nutrition. In multicellular organisms, this requires the coordinated function of tissues, organs, and organ systems.
It is quite a common misconception that respiration does not take place in plants, or that photosynthesis takes place during the day and respiration at night.
This animation allows students to view the processes of photosynthesis and respiration to tackle this misconception. The animation is intended for both GCSE and A-level / post-16 biology teaching and has sufficient detail and accuracy for both.
Students could investigate respiration in vegetables by comparing the rate at which different samples of food bring about a colour change in hydrogen carbonate indicator. This could be enhanced by using a web search to find information on respiration rates in vegetables, and linking this to food spoilage. A carbon dioxide gas sensor could be used to measure rates of carbon dioxide release for a five-minute period from a range of vegetables or fruits.
And finally, no resource list would be complete without some BEST diagnostic questions and response activities on cellular respiration!