Parasites Lesson Plans

Students research some parasite-borne diseases and report on how parasites infect their hosts and how people are trying to reduce infection rates.

This lesson has students count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on approximately one-hundred and fifty fish. They fill out autopsy reports for external and internal parasites then complete and discuss guide questions to make inferences about parasite evolution.

Students study the flea's life cycle and the reasons fleas are so attracted to our pets. They'll conclude by writing a story from the flea's perspective. They define the term, parasite and visit website imbedded in this plan to explore fleas.

Learners explore some insect parasites (e.g., mosquitoes and lice) as well as about insects in general. They see pictures of insects that bite and sting, and others of insects that don't bother people.

Learners identify the characteristics of blood sucking parasites. They organize the information and present it to the class in persuasive arguments. They participate in a debate with their classmates.

Learners investigate parasites and how parasite-borne diseases are spread. They conduct Internet research, answer handout questions, and identify methods that could reduce parasitic diseases in various countries.

Students examine the effects of forest fragmentation on parasitism in broods of songbirds. They also explain how cowbird infest the nests of breeding birds with parasites. Students write reports on cowbirds including how to recognize their eggs and the recommendations of wildlife managers for dealing with cowbirds.

Students explore the different interspecies relationships namely mutualistic, commensal and parasitic. In this ecology lesson, students investigate an ecosystem disrupted by humans. They formulate an action plan to save it and present their proposed solutions in class.

Students investigate parasites and the diseases they can cause and carry. They read and discuss an article, conduct research, and create a fictional studenT story about the parasite they researched.

Students survey and dissect as many fish as possible. They count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on the fish, fill out autopsy reports, and transfer data to a chalkboard data table. Students graph the results of the entire class and explore coevolution.