🧩 Leaving Cert Biology Tarsia Puzzles – New 5th Year Specification
 
Bring active learning into your classroom , fully aligned with the new Leaving Certificate Biology specification (2025 onwards).
This resource includes four key chapters from the 5th Year course: 
• Scientific Knowledge 
• Characteristics of Life 
• Biomolecules 
• The Cell
 
Designed to support both Ordinary and Higher Level students, these puzzles reinforce essential terminology, concepts, and learning outcomes through engaging, student-led problem solving.
 
📘 Specification Coverage
This resource supports the following learning outcomes:
Unifying Strand (Nature of Science): U1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2
Biology Content:
• 1.1.1 • 1.2.1 – 1.2.6 (Biomolecules)
• 1.3.1 – 1.3.3 (The Cell)
 
🎯 Why Use Tarsia?
• Encourages active recall and retrieval practice
• Promotes collaboration and discussion
• Reinforces key definitions and exam language
• Ideal for revision, consolidation, or starter activities
• Supports differentiation in mixed-ability classrooms
 
🧠 How to Use
Print and cut each puzzle into its individual pieces.
Students work individually, in pairs, or small groups.
Each piece contains a question and a matching answer on different sides.
Students must match questions to correct answers to complete the shape (triangle/square).
When completed correctly, the puzzle forms a perfect shape with no gaps or overlaps.
 
💡 Teaching Tips
• Use as a starter or plenary activity
• Set a time challenge to increase engagement
• Encourage students to explain their matches aloud
• Use as a revision tool before assessments •
Provide a completed version for self-checking 
 
📎 PDF format, ready to print or assign digitally.
🔗 Created by LeavingCertBiology.ie – trusted by Irish teachers and students nationwide.
 
Note: Nobody has the right to send, print, copy, resell or share this digital document electronically or otherwise. This digital document is copyrighted with all rights reserved to the creator Emma Ronan. Note: Nobody has the right to send, print, copy, resell or share this digital document electronically or otherwise. This digital pdf document is copyrighted with all rights reserved to the creator Emma Ronan. Download links expire 30 days after purchase, please ensure file is saved.