Lesson Plan
Curated OER

For the Birds

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore biology by creating birdhouses. In this bird identification lesson plan, 2nd graders discuss the different types of birds that live in their environment and what characteristics each type of bird has. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U-G-L-Y? I've Got a Great Alibi

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a survey to explore people's perception of beauty. In this biology lesson, students explain how an animal's appearance helps it survive. They analyze survey results and present findings in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparison of Normal vs Mutant Zebra Fish Embryos

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students observe and study mutations. In this mutations lesson, students work in groups to complete observation tables of various mutations of the zebra fish embryos. Groups give presentations about their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Motion of a Virus Through a Population

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students test the factors that influence the rate at which a virus spreads through a population. They complete a lab activity then discuss data collected and review and answer a set of questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 10: Karyotypes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students predict traits of future offspring. In this biology lesson, students study karyotyping to predict genetic disorders. They research an assigned karyotype and present information about it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Technology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars summarize their classmates' presentation in class. In this biology lesson, students create a graphic organizer based on concepts presented. They discuss and share their organizer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 9: Visual Meiosis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students create a fictional organism. For this biology lesson, students predict the traits of resulting offspring. They complete activity worksheet and discuss answers in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Cytochrome-C to Explore Evolutionary Relationships

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Learners analyze protein sequences. In this instructional activity on determining evolutionary relationships, students use the Internet tools BLAST and Biology Workbench to look at protein sequences. Learners will compose an essay that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Halloween: Arachnids

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in class discussion about the movie Arachnophobia. In this biology instructional activity, students find articles and photos of a species that interest them. They share it with their group.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biology: Understanding Cellular Organelles

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students distinguish the differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Using microscopes, they examine a variety of plant and animal cells. Working in groups, they draw and label plant and animal cells and show the mathematical...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Survival Game

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique lesson plan on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extracting DNA from Your Cells - Teacher Preparation Notes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students extract their own DNA from cheek cells. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the replication process. They identify the structure and composition of DNA.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Feast for the Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in an activity that uses a simulated meal of transgenic foods in order to initiate a discussion of the controversy concerning the use of transgenic food products.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's So Special?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study the biology and morphology of Lophelia corals.  In this investigative lesson students explain how the coral contributes to communities, and create a poster.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Took Jerell's iPod?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate various substances to determine the perpetrator of a crime. In this biology lesson, students test for the presence of organic compounds in various samples. They identify an unknown substance based on its physical and...
Activity
It's About Time

Factors Affecting Population Size

For Teachers 7th - 12th
How do we predict future population growth? Young researchers investigate various factors affecting the size of our population. As they calculate and interpret graphs to determine factors that could potentially affect increases...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Seasons of a Plant

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
The third in a series of six lessons is an engaging three-part activity defines that discusses phenology, focusing on the cyclic seasons of plants. Pupils then observe phenology outside before determining how climate change can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diffusion Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate how water passes through cell membranes. In this biology lesson, students differentiate osmosis and diffusion. They illustrate the movement of water in both processes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA and Genes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students analyze the structure of DNA. They describe how the structure of DNA enables it to reproduce itself accurately. Students discuss genes and the sequence of nucleotides occur in DNA.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legal Aspects Of Fetal Tissue Transportation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the current legal status of fetal tissue transplantation. Students engage in a role play discussion of a specific case study. Students explore the ethical controversies surrounding this procedure. Students formulate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blue Zones: Out with the old and in with the new

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders read articles about the Blue Zones, life expectancy and healthy and unhealthy habits of people around the world.  In this Current Events lesson, 7th graders participate in class discussion of key terms and concepts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Value of a Garden

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars will work cooperatively. In this environmental lesson plan, students will start by discussing an article and its questions prior to receiving a handout. There are two versions of the handout depending if your young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Effect of Minerals on Plant Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How do different minerals affect the growth of plants? Budding botanists find out in a multi-week experiment that has them using solutions with specific mineral deficiencies. While there is a lot of preparation for the investigation,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What are the Ages of Three Daughters Given the Product and Sum of Their Ages

For Students 8th - 12th
In this problem solving worksheet, students identify the age of a man's three daughters.  The students are given the product and sum of the daughter's ages as well as the fact that the oldest daughter like vanilla yogurt.  The...