Tag: NGSS
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Open Access Biology Chapters with Questions
Check out opensource options for textbooks from CK12 and OpenStax. Includes a link to a set for intro bio where students answer questions in a sidebar.
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Exploration: An Inquiry Activity on the Dubia Roach
A short activity for day one in the science class. Give students a live animal to observe, like a dubia roach. They write observations, questions, and make inferences to share with the class.
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Using Anchoring Phenomenon with Lessons
Start lessons on osmosis with an activity and anchoring phenomenon. View cells exposed to salt and observe how they change!
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Ecology Lesson on Trophic Cascades
This year I decided to change the way I teach the last unit of the year, which is ecology. Our textbook is really old, and not aligned to NGSS. The lessons followed a familiar “old-school” pattern: take notes mainly about definitions, do an activity or lab, then take a quiz. This year, I wanted to…
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DNA, Proteins, and Sickle Cell
In this activity, students use a codon chart to compare the DNA sequence of HbA (normal hemoglobin) to HbS (sickle cell). The DNA differs in a single base, where the codon for normal hemoglobin codes for glutamine, and the mutant form codes for valine.
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Feedback Loops: Insulin and Glucagon
The Next Generation Science Standards includes feedback loops and homeostasis as a standard for life science. While homeostasis is a theme for many units in biology, feedback mechanisms are fairly specific. In fact, this is probably the most oddly specific topic found in NGSS. If you are trying to include it, most younger students…
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Analyzing and Interpreting data with Graphs
NGSS and AP Biology resources for interpreting data exercises in the classroom. Turn graphs into discussions and mysteries.