Curated OER
Pollinator Habitats
Students read and discuss background information included with this instructional activity. They brainstorm the best sources for developing a list of native or migratory pollinators. Students work in groups to design habitats based on...
Curated OER
Mendellian Genetics
Young scholars describe the inheritance patterns other than simple dominance. They are taught how Mendel's principles apply to all organisms. Students review the use of Punnett Squares. They are taught the principles of probability...
Curated OER
How Do Organisms Vary?
Students study variation of organisms. They determine this variation arises from genetic and environmental causes.
Curated OER
Pollen & Pollination
Students identify the different ways things are pollinated and how to manage pollen. In this pollination lesson students complete an experiment on how moths pollinate flowers.
Curated OER
Molecular Approaches to Evolution
Students examine the molecular studies of organisms that have led to a new era in their understanding of speciation and evolutionary relationships. Students study the allelic frequency of genes controlling specific molecules and assess...
Curated OER
The Circle of Life: Food Chain
Students develop a flow chart using computer software to show a food chain combination. For this food chain lesson, students are first read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, then they create a story map of the story. ...
Curated OER
Preserving Health Through Biological Diversity
Students research and explore the benefits of biodiversity, particularly as it relates to human health. They write an essay in which they explain the possible effect of human activities on the emergence of new diseases.
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
Curated OER
Charting Diversity
Pupils organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
Curated OER
Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Students examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels it,...
Curated OER
Planet of Plenty
Students examine a small piece of land to determine the diversity of life on Earth. They role play as visitors from outer space seeing life on Earth for the first time. They measure and observe their plots while working in small groups....
Curated OER
Molecular Approaches to Evolution
Students are introduced to working with molecular data. The first activity does both simulated and original data are used to compare amino acid, protein or DNA differences to construct phylogenetic trees or cladograms. These activities...
Curated OER
Bats - Endangered Mammal
Students complete question sheet on Bats and research information using a list of websites provided by the teacher. They work with peers to complete a scavenger hunt worksheet about bats.
Curated OER
Evolution: Adaptation
Tenth graders practice new skills and apply them. The skills of research should motivate them to want more knowledge. The concept of adaptation is used as a context for the lesson of practicing research skills.
Curated OER
Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer
Students explore insects and closely related organisms. They examine the growth and development of a lady beetle. Students classify insects and organize them. They investigate pest management.
Curated OER
Living Corn Necklace
Fifth graders explore heredity and observable traits through experimentation. They view several different types of corn and record their observation of physical traits on a class chart. They create a corn necklace by sprouting dried...
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Evolution: Variations and Adaptations
Students discover that variation in plants allows some varieties to survive in near-drought conditions. Next, students learn that different types of rabbits prefer to eat different varieties of plants. Students make the connection...
BiologyWise
Biology Wise: Definition and Examples of Stabilizing Selection
Explains what stabilizing selection is and how this type of natural selection actually limits genetic diversity in a population. Presents examples of stabilizing selection in different plants and animals.
BiologyWise
Biology Wise: Incomplete Dominance Examples
Explains what incomplete dominance is in heredity, and what it looks like in plants, animals, and humans.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Chestnut Tree
This annotated slideshow adapted from KET's Electronic Field Trip to the Forest illustrates how blight decimated the American chestnut tree and the methods scientists use to identify and pollinate the remaining trees to create...
Ohio State University
General Plant Biology: Plant Evolution
This is a solid review of basic principles of population genetics with an emphasis on plants. Use this to complement your units on evolution and plant biology. Take the quiz to check your understanding.
University of California
University of California Museum of Paleontology: Distribution in Time and Space
The Understanding Evolution site provides evidence for evolution in biogeography utilizing relative dating, geography, and plate tectonics.