BC Open Textbooks
Concepts of Biology – 1st Canadian Edition
How diverse are living things? Individuals explore topics such as cells as the foundation for life, cell division and genetics, molecular biology, and animal reproduction using an open resource Biology textbook. They learn key terms...
Curated OER
Cell Repair and Cell Cycle
Seventh graders explore the cell cycle. They view pictures of different stages of mitosis and explain why cells reproduce. They identify the five phases of mitosis: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Curated OER
Cells
Seventh graders look up pictures of viruses or pictures of models of viruses. Using pipe cleaners, beads, Styrofoam or other available materials make models of these shapes. They then observe a demonstration to show the effect of Tobacco...
Curated OER
How Organisms Respond to Changes in their Environment
Students observe the reaction of living cells to mechanical and chemical stimuli by introducing different stimuli to an organism under a microscope and recording the response.
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Cell Works
Pupils identify the different parts of the cells and their functions. In this biology lesson, students create an analogy of a cell and its organelles. They make a poster and present it to class.
Curated OER
Cells=Life!
Ninth graders share what they know about cells. In this biology lesson, 9th graders study different microscopic images of the cell. They draw one and explain to their partner why they chose that image.
Curated OER
Totally Cellular
In this biology activity, students learn about cells and their various parts. They first read a page and a half of facts about cells and then answer the 10 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Plasmolysis in Elodea Plant Cells
Pupils microscopically observe various subcellular components. They determine the effects of different salt solutions on Elodea plant cells. Students explain the major function of a cell membrane and describe its structure.
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Regulating the Internal Environment
This presentation begins with the many problems multicellular organisms which rely on diffusion encounter. There are many diagrams of mammalian organ structures, and they are labelled with their relevant functions. This an excellent...
Curated OER
What Does Life Look Like Under a Microscope?
Students discover cells make up all living things. In this life science lesson, students investigate living organisms and the cells that create them. Finally the students create a testable question, conduct an investigation, and draw...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Green Plastics—Chemistry Outreach
How do green plastics reduce waste and environmental pollution? Budding scientists create and test a variety of compounds used in green plastics during an insightful experiment. Beginning with startling statistics and ending with...
Curated OER
T's Alive! Or Is It?
Students explore data on the bone, muscle, and skin of living systems and then create a list of characteristics of these systems and relate these characteristics to bone, muscle, and skin.
Curated OER
Survival: The Human Body in Extreme Environments
Students create a list of signs the human body gives during threatening weather conditions. They investigate the causes and conditions of dehydration, overheating, and hypothermia.
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)
Arctic Smorgasbord
Though the walrus spends roughly one third of its time on land, it eats organisms that live on the bottom of the ocean. The first in a series of five, the lesson uses a variety of plant and animal cards to have scholars build an arctic...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Adaptations must be made as environments change. This fabulous presentation features Icelandic icefish, a transparent, scaleless specimen that even has colorless blood. Genetics and adaptations concepts are explored as scientists study...
Global Oneness Project
The Value of Ancient Traditions
Imagine having to give up cell phones, computers, and TV? What would be lost? What gained? An examination of the Drokpa, a nomadic people who live in the grasslands of Tibet, provides class members an opportunity to consider how access...
Curated OER
Inside the Cranium: Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Students analyze different regions of the brain which are responsible for different aspects of cognition, awareness and regulating the body's process.
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How do plant & animal cells make and use energy?
Students show the relationship between the need for plants to undergo photosynthesis in order to generate oxygen. They see the flaws associated with this thinking because of the lack of CO2 and H2O and lack of sufficient gravity in order...
Curated OER
Where Do Plants Get Their Food?
Plants need food to survive, just like any other living organism. Young biologists analyze an experiment performed in 1610 by Jan van Helmont to determine if plant nutrition is obtained through the soil. First, lab groups work together...
Curated OER
Amino Acids and Protein
Students study amino acids and discover the different proteins that are in our bodies. In this living environment lesson plan students build protein bracelets with beads as an example of the different amino acids.
Curated OER
My Mind is a Blank: Cellular Functions
In this my mind is a blank worksheet, fill in each blank with vocabulary terms that are related to cellular functions. Students also answer questions regarding the microscope.
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Bacteria
In this bacteria worksheet, students fill in the blanks with the correct word. Students then label the structures found on a bacterium.
Curated OER
Protists - The Protozoans
Five pages provide thorough coverage of three protozoans: euglena, amoebae, and paramecia. For each, junior biologists read factual text, label the organism, and write answers to several questions. This neatly organized assignment is...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
A Lesson on the Nature of Science
If you are looking for a great way to present natural selection in humans, look no further. This handout is intended to accompany the 14-minute video The Making of the Fittest: Natural Selection in Humans, which can be found on the...