Tag: species
-
Data Analysis – Invasion of the Jumping Worms
Lesson plan uses the 5E model to explore the invasive Asian Jumping Worm and its impact on soil and forests; includes data analysis.
-
Speciation on Daphne Major – Big Birds Get No Love
The beaks of finches on the island changed in size after a catastrophic draught. Students analyze graphs and explore how natural selection affects populations.
-
Speciation Modes – Reinforcement
Students distinguish between allopatric and sympatric speciation and then identify what types of isolating mechanisms are described in scenarios.
-
Phylogenetic Tree – Canines
Students examine a phylogenetic tree which has questions for them to discover how the tree is organized. Students will learn what a node is, and how branches on the tree represent descendants from a common ancestor.
-
Measuring Biodiversity Using Beans
Students analyze a community of beans (pinto, lima, navy) to determine the richness, abundance, and biodiversity index of two communities.
-
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…
-
Case Study – Are Invading Bullfrogs Harmful?
Students follow a story about an ecologist and a student who are studying the population size of bullfrogs in California. These amphibians are considered an invasive species in that area and have been causing the decline of native species. Students learn concepts related to community interactions and learn one species can cause the decline…
-
Endangered Species Project
Students create a publication (website, infographic) to educate their classmates about a specific animal that is on the endangered species list.
-
How to Explain Taxonomy to Basic Biology Students
Tips for teaching taxonomy to your biology class. Includes links to student activities.