Ask a Biologist
The Many Faces of Ants
Though they be but little, they are fierce! Young biologists read about eight different species of ants, and discover how the anatomy of their heads can explain the way they live and what they eat.
Indiana University
World Literature: "One Evening in the Rainy Season" Shi Zhecun
Did you know that modern Chinese literature “grew from the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmund Freud”? Designed for a world literature class, seniors are introduced to “One Evening in the Rainy Season,” Shi Zhecun’s stream of...
Curated OER
What Role Does Light Play Within the Vision Process?
Students are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...
Curated OER
Bat Ecology
Students, through hands on games and activities, discover how bats live and how bats benefit ecosystems. They play a game designed to show them how echolocation works and another to show how mother bats locate their young through their...
Curated OER
Cells All Around
Students measure the size of an epithelial cell and to estimate the number of epithelial cells in a given area of the body. After watching a video on cells, student groups perform an experiment using a microscope to view some of their...
Curated OER
Medieval Coat of Arms/Heraldry
Students examine the history of Heraldry from medieval times in preparation for reading the novel "Freak the Mighty." They view and discuss examples of shields and discuss the color system and how shields were divided. As a culminating...
Curated OER
Buzzing Bee's Wardrobe
Young scholars investigate the anatomy of honeybees. In this anatomy lesson, students research the physical characteristics of bees and discover what they do. Young scholars create a model of a honeybee showing the correct anatomy.
Curated OER
Building on Ground Zero
Students research safety feature and building code changes that were recommended in response to major disasters, including fire, hurricanes, and terrorist acts. They understand how knowledge gained from disasters has influenced changes...
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The Periodic Table of the Elements
Students research the elements used to create fireworks. In this periodic table instructional activity, students discuss common metals, their characteristics, and their places on the periodic table. They work in small groups to research...
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Beaver Ecology
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
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World of Protists
Young scholars observe a jar of pond water and predict how much life they think exists in the jar and watch a "Bill Nye: The Science Guy" video regarding protists. They participate in an online virtual pond dip where they begin to...
Curated OER
Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Students identify and count Macroinvertebrates at a Hydrology website. For this macroinvertebrates lesson students collect, sort and identify Macroinvertebrates.
Curated OER
Yes, Thank You!
Students explore public signage and create positive message signs. In this social interactions instructional activity, students explore their own neighborhoods for examples of positive, negative, and neutral signage and use this...
Curated OER
Hazardous Products Substitutes
Students investigate toxic substances. In this health lesson, students identify warning labels on common household cleaners and create a "less toxic" cleaning recipe book. Students recite a pledge to try a less toxic substitute at home.
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Adaptations
Eighth graders choose an animal and research its various adaptations using
their information, 8th graders create an informational tri-fold brochure or newsletter. They should include facts about the animal's adaptations as well as...
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Biology: Variation and Classification
Students investigate classification of different animal groups. In this biology lesson students list characteristics of themselves and others they know to show differences and how they are classified. Students then answer questions about...
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Transmission of Disease
Students provide names of viral diseases that they would possibly like to be infected with today; listing them on the Smart Board. They then come to an agreement about what virus to use and use beakers of fluids to simulate how viruses...
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Our Five Senses
Students explore the five senses through hands-on and Internet activities.
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Looking at Our Community
Students analyze the way that the media views the community that they live in. They poll residents about the strengths and weaknesses of their community and devise ways such as community service projects that they can improve the image...
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What Is It?!
Working individually or in groups, 4th graders are presented with unusual or at least unfamiliar objects and are asked to speculate on what they are and/or how they are used. The intention is to get students to make careful observations...