Search results for: “teacher”
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Penny Lab: Soap and Surface Tension
Most science classes begin the year with an exercise on the scientific method. It can be difficult to plan a short activity that will reinforce the main ideas of developing and testing a hypothesis. This lab is simple and doesn’t require much in the way of materials: pennies, water, and pipettes (and paper towels for…
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Cell Structures: A Graphic Organizer
This graphic organizer (concept map) organizes the cell structures around three main parts of the eukaryotic cell: the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
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Photosynthesis Coloring
Students read short text passages and then color images to help them relate the textual information with the graphic.
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Comparing the Ameba to the Paramecium
With the adoption of NGSS, I’ve had to make cuts to some of the lessons that biology classes of the past enjoyed. I was sad to see it go, but we no longer do a unit on the Kingdom Protista, but I still manage to fit a microscope lab into other sections.
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Deer: Predation or Starvation?
This activity asks students to calculate the population change (births – deaths) and then graph the number of deer and the number of wolves.
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Data Analysis and Interpreting Graphs
Students practice analyzing pie charts, scatter plots, and bar graphs in the basic worksheet that is designed to pair with lessons on the scientific method. Most beginning biology students (in high school) are fairly adept at interpreting basic information from graphs, though scatter plots are sometimes challenging for them. I usually do this type…
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The Lesson of the Kaibab
This activity asks students to graph the number of kaibab deer on the plateau after predators were removed, then analyze data and develop a better plan.
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Color and Label the Nephron
Practice labeling the nephron with this reinforcement activity. Students can also color the image to identify the major structures of the nephron: glomerulus, bowman’s capsule, proximal and distal tubules, loop of Henle, collecting duct and capillaries. This was designed to go with a larger unit on how the urinary system and kidneys help the body…
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Case Study: How Do Tibetans Survive High Altitudes
Based on the Berkeley website: Understanding Evolution, this version focuses on the how the body maintains homeostasis at high altitudes. This involves increased production of red blood cells to improve oxygen supplies to tissues. Tibetan populations have adapted to high altitudes by producing fewer red blood cells which improves fetal mortality rates. Case looks…
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Genetic Crosses with 2 Traits with Rabbits
Beginning biology students can struggle with dihybrid crosses and setting up Punnett squares that have two traits. When tackling this concept, make sure students are familiar and competent with basic genetic crosses and setting up Punnett squares for a single trait. For example, a tall (Tt) plant is crossed with a short plant (tt). Once…
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Sheep Heart Dissection
Students use this dissection guide to learn the anatomy of the heart, using a sheep as a model. The sheep heart is similar to a human, and students can identify the major vessels: aorta, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, and the vena cava. The guide includes instructions on how to determine which side of the heart…
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Case Study: How to Survive a Cholera Epidemic
In this case, students explore how cholera is spread and how it affects the body. The case is divided into four sections, with the first part focusing on the role of clean water supplies and the spread of bacteria. In the second part, the affects of the bacteria are examined, with attention on how the…
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Comparing the Amniote Egg to the Placenta – Coloring
Color the amniote egg of a chicken and compare to the development of a human embryo.
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Photosystems and Chemiosmosis Coloring
Use this coloring worksheet to explore how plant cells harvest energy form the sun to generate ATP in the process known as chemiosmosis.
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Flashcard Creators and Templates
If you teach a class that requires students to memorize information, then you have probably worked with students on developing strategies for memorization. I often tell my anatomy students that they might forget some of the details of what they have learned, but study strategies will stay with them through college. I could get…