Microscope Mania
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Microscopes - history
and uses,
lab safety, classification (if using pond
water)
After learning about the basic parts of a microscope and an overview of the proper procedures for using them, my students visit 5 lab stations to learn more about the world of microscopes. I allow at least 15-20 minutes per station and provide all the materials needed to complete the activities. Download the Teacher Notes below for a description of the station activities as well as a list of materials students need. Unit objectives and extension ideas are also provided.
NOTE: I developed this lab to deal with increasing class sizes and a limited amount of microscopes. Each year I found it challenging to teach microscope topics to 25+ students at a time with only 10 microscopes. With the stations, I am able to set up groups of 5-6 students and the students enjoy not having to share microscopes. I tend to focus my efforts on the groups at stations 3 & 4 as the others can be completed with little assistance from the teacher with the exception of a few visits to keep everyone on task.
Microscope Mania Unit Materials:
-
Teacher Notes (pdf)
- Provides an overview of the unit as well as a description of the station activities and materials needed.
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Station Cards (pdf) - Provides information cards for each station as well as materials for two review games - Parts & Pieces and Vocab Challenge.
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Mystery Pictures Cards (pdf) - A set of 24 cards with mystery images and clues for each one. An answer key is provided.
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Review Activities (pdf) - These review materials go with Station 5 of the unit and includes a vocabulary challenge and "label the parts" microscope diagram.
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Student Worksheet (pdf) - Student worksheet for the Microscope Mania station cards.
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Microscope Mania Puzzles (pdf) - Two puzzles related to the world of microscopes - a word search and make-a-word challenge. I provide this worksheet with the student worksheet for the stations, so students can work on the puzzles using any extra time they have after finishing station activities.
-
Microscope Mania Review Crossword (pdf) - I use this puzzle as a review for the unit test. An
answer key is also available.
Micro Basics - Digital Version
Class Presentation - Updated 2021
- Download the PPT file to access the slides
for the classroom lessons as well as links to
the digital student notebook and other online
resoures used for the activities, such as
EDPuzzle and GimKit.
NOTE: The digital slides are set up to
11x8.5 landscape allowing you to print slides
for students needing paper copies. You will need
to provide copies of the
prepared sample gallery worksheet for
students to record their observations.
Also available
CSI Hair Challenge - Extend
your microscope unit by investigating hair
samples from your students and their pets!
Check the first slide of the PPT for more
details about how I make my sample "slides".
A link to the digital notebook for students is
also provided on the first slide.
Other resources for microscopes ...
-
Microscope Basics Presentation (PDF) and
Student Worksheet (PDF) - I use this presentation at the beginning of the microscope unit to review the parts of the microscope, discuss magnification, and review how to use a microscope as well as directions on how to make wet-mount slides.
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Parts of a Microscope Notes (pdf) - A basic lesson with an overhead key and student worksheet related to the parts of a microscope.
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Microscope Quiz 1 (pdf) - Student quiz on the parts of a microscope.
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Microscope Quiz 2 (pdf) - This quiz includes sections on labeling the parts of a micrscope as well as questions about power of magnification.
-
Microscope Specimen Cards (pdf)
- Small cards students can use to document the different specimens they view with the microscope. Use the completed cards to make a classroom display!
-
Microscope History &
Microscopes Online (Internet Lessons)
- Use these worksheets to
explore the history of the microscope as
well as use a virtual microscope from the
BioNetwork to experiment with powers of
magnification .
NOTE: I have included the links in the
PDF versions. Teachers will need to
make these links available through Google
Classroom, a class website, or other online
method.
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Ecology Basics
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Ecological organization,
population ecology, symbiosis, food webs,
biodiversity, ecological succession
Now available in a digital format -
Each topic listed below is linked to a PPT
presentation to be used for classroom lessons and
activities. Slides related to unit vocabulary
and learning targets are also included. A link to
the student digital notebook and other online
resouces are included in each PPT. Check
out the first two slides of each presentation for
teacher notes!
-
Intro to Ecology - Introduction to the basic levels of
organization (organism, population, etc.) along
with an overview of population ecology.
Includes links to the EDPuzzle videos used for
the student note portions. Since I often
do this unit at the start of the school year,
the mosquitoes mentioned in the population
ecology video are a great tie in!
NOTE: I usually start this unit at the
beginning of the school year, which also makes
it a great time for us to complete the Bug Blitz
project (listed above) investigating the
biodiversity of "bugs" in the school garden.
It also provides a lot of connections to the
topics in the various lessons in the Ecology
unit.
-
Symbiosis-
Introduces students to the three types of
symbiosis along with a Good Buddies game to
investigate additional relationships in a "go
fish" style card game.
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Food Webs
- Students complete a graphic organizer as they
watch two EDPuzzle videos. Related lessons
include two more food webs with questions for
students to ponder. Students also complete the Pond Water Webs activity listed
below and play the Food Fight game on BrainPop.
NOTE: Food
Fight Game Only - Click
HERE for the PPT for the Food Fight game.
The first slide includes links to the
digital slide
version for students and a
paper version to print for a worksheet.
Links for the activity are listed on the
Plants & Animals
page in the Sites
for Students area.
-
Biodiversity
- Explore the basics of biodiversity and the
impact of invasive species. Download
includes links
to the Wanted Poster projects for students that
is available in a digital format.
Also check out Biodiverity Blitz activity at
the top of this page and the
Invasive Species Wanted Poster Template
(Google Slide) - Students research an invasive
species to complete this wanted poster. I
print the best ones to display in the hallway,
which prompts many discussions as people
recognize some common organisms that are found
in our area. Most did not realize they
were a "wanted" species for their crimes against
nature. Click
HERE for a PowerPoint you can use to
introduce the project. I also have a
LIST of species I used for students to
select their organisms as well as a
PDF version of the poster you can print and
use.
-
Ology Think &
Link (Optional) - This activity can be
used with either the food webs or biodiversity
lessons listed above. The students explore
two websites to find connections betweens the
organisms that live there.
-
Jeff Corwin -
Madagascar (Optional)
- This video lesson follows Corwin's exploration
of Madagascar and its unique creatures. It
can be used with any of the lessons in this unit
or as a reinforcement for animal defenses and
adaptations.
-
Ecological
Succession - Students complete the note
portion to provide an overview of primary and
secondary succession. Addional activities
include a diagram to label as well as a video to
reinforce their knowledge of the topic.
-
Gizmos - Pond
Ecosystem (Subscription) - This
activity was developed to incorporate student
observations during the pond ecosystem
exploration.
-
Gizmos - STEM
Case: Ecosystem (Subscription)
- This activity would be a great one to review
the major concepts in the unit as students
investigate to determine how the introduction of
wolves impacted the Yellowstone ecosystem.
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Human Impacts
-
Lessons from the Lorax - Students
watch the original movie as well as the newest
version to compare/contrast how environmental
issues were portrayed 50 years ago as well as
today. The assignment includes questions
to challenge students to identify environmental
issues and the ways humans impact our natural
resources. They also calculate their
eco-footprints and are challenged to create a
project to motivate their friends and family to
be "guys and gals that care" by finding ways to
lower their footprints.
NOTE: Links to the digital files for
students are included in the PPT linked above.
A PDF version of the challenge project is
available
HERE.
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Pond Water Survey
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts:
Living things, classification, scientific
investigations, microscopes, process skills
(observation, data collection, analysis, etc.), food
webs (if additional lesson is included)
An easy way to fascinate your students is to allow them to investigate samples of pond water (whether a large farm pond or small backyard pond.) They are sure to find little critters zooming around the slide. You will need to gather several samples (or have the students bring in their own), microscopes, and identification guides. Golden Guide publishes an inexpensive Pond Water booklet that contains lots of pictures and information. Follow-up discussions of finds will provide students with the chance to use biological terms to compare and contrast different forms of life. The updated version listed below includes additional lesson activities challenging students to create food chains using plants and animals found in or near a pond. It also includes templates for aquatic invertebrate trading cards.
A great resource for teachers with little biology background is to check with your local Department of Conservation or Natural History Survey. I was able to recruit a couple biologists along with their cool equipment and samples to work along with my students during class. My students were able to see organisms from the Illinois River and I loved having help in an area that I have little training.
A few years ago my district purchased a video flex microscope camera. Using this technology, my students are able to create a video documentary of our pond organisms. Each spring and fall we document our research and compare the changes that occur throughout the year.
Lesson Resources:
-
Pond Water Survey (pdf) -
Contains teacher notes, discussion questions, and student worksheets.
-
Pond Water Webs (pdf) -
Investigate food chains and webs that exists in a pond habitat. Download includes teacher notes, student worksheet, answer key, and
Life in a Pond cards. A
Power Point presentation is also available for use with interactive whiteboards.
-
Need identification guides?
Links to identification guides
for pond water critters can
be found
in the
Sites for
Students area.
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Lessons from the Lorax (T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts:
Environmental concerns, human impacts on the
ecosystem, conservation, natural resources
At
the end of our environmental science unit, my
student explore the messages in the Lorax book and
movie to identify environmental concerns and find
ways to live a lifestyle with the smallest
"footprint". It
also provides a great connection to the many topics
we discuss related to deforestation, habitat loss,
pollution, and human impacts on the Earth.
Digital
Version:
Lessons from the Lorax - Students watch
the original movie as well as the newest version to
compare/contrast how environmental issues were
portrayed 50 years ago as well as today. The
assignment includes questions to challenge students
to identify environmental issues and the ways humans
impact our natural resources. They also
calculate their eco-footprints and are challenged to
create a project to motivate their friends and
family to be "guys and gals that care" by finding
ways to lower their footprints.
NOTE: Links to the digital files for students
are included in the PPT linked above. A PDF
version of the challenge project is available
HERE.
Paper Version: Students complete Part A of
the
student
worksheet while watching
the
The Lorax Movie
(1972 version)
. We discuss the answers to Part B in
class, and then we watch the newest version to
respond to the question prompts in the
Lessons from the Lorax PowerPoint.
The PPT includes an answer key and the discussion
questions along with a follow-up activity.
Using my general
EcoFootprint
calculator, students complete the "footprint"
with the different categories (page 2 of the
download). They use the results
to determine how many planets we would need if
everyone lived like they do. It is always an
eye opening experience, which leads into the final
lessons where they decorate the blank footprint with
strateges they and their families will use to reduce
their footprints.
-
Lorax
Lessons on FlipGrid -
Students explain why the
"Unless" quote is still important today and share
two things they are doing to make the planet better.
This lesson is incorporated into the challenge
below.
-
Earth Day Challenge -
I created this
choice board assignment based on pasts Earth Day
activities. It has both Internet and
non-Internet activities. The
FlipGrid lesson above is incorporated into the
assignment as one of the choices. Click
HERE for a link to the Google Slides template
you can copy to use with your students.
NOTE: I have also prepared a
paper
packet version for my kiddos who do not have Internet.
I will print copies to send home for those
students. It includes "proof" pages similar to
the Google Slides along with flash card
templates, graph paper for a crossword puzzle,
and other information they may need. I have a
few copies of an old "Earth Day" booklet I plan
to send home as I only have 10 students who need
paper verions.
-
Also available
... My version of the Earth Day Challenge
(Electronic option only)
-
I modified the
basic one above to to create a new
choice board (with hyperlinks built in)
to include many of the online activities we
have used in class - Quizlet, GimKit,
Legends, and online tools (Poster My Wall,
FlipGrid, video creators, etc.). Clink
THIS LINK to view it on Google Drive.
-
I also created an
introduction video using a
Google Slides presentation and
Screencastify to review what we have learned
and what I expect them to do for the
project.
-
Students will
still use the
Google Slides template
to turn in proof for all completed tasks.
It will be shared with the students on
Google Classroom by choosing "create a new
copy" for each student.
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Classification Challenges
(T.Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things,
classification, binomial nomenclature,
invertebrates, vertebrates
I designed this activity to allow students to practice invertebrate and vertebrate classification using the organisms discussed in our
Animal Classification unit. Teacher notes, student worksheets, and organism cards are included in the downloades listed below. You will also need the classification mats, which needs to be printed regular-sized paper and taped together to form one mat.
Classy Invertebrates:
Invertebrate Classification Challenge (PDF),
Classification Mat (PDF),
Invertebrate Classification Quiz (PDF) , and
Classy Invertebrates PowerPoint (PPT)
Also check out a version of the
Invertebrate Cards with color photographs
- submitted by
Jessica
Ruffin
Classy Vertebrates:
Vertebrate Classification Challenge (PDF),
Classification Mat (PDF),
Critter Cards (PDF),
Vertebrate Classification Quiz (PDF), and
Classy Vertebrates PowerPoint (PPT)
Also check
out ...
Classification of Life
- I use this worksheet during
our classification unit at the beginning of the
year. Links are available on the Kid Zone!
Silly Science - a dichotomous key activity in
General Science section!
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Incredible Cells
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things, cells
(plant and animal), organelles and their functions
The
"edible" version of this project was an annual favorite was adapted from the old Jello cells! The project is a great addition to any cell unit and provides a tasty treat for your students. Refer to the Student Worksheet
below for details and instructions. The download
also includes a student worksheet for a nonedible cell project.
If I have any students with food allergies, I
require everyone to do the nonedible version.
Student Worksheets:
Incredible Cells (pdf)
Another idea ...
Science Wear -
Aprons, Shirts, or Lab
Coats decorated with
cells as well as options for astronomy, chemistry,
and more!
Thanks to Jody Hodges for
developing this great project! Students use
permanent markers or fabric paint to create their
own attire by coloring the lettering and adding
diagrams of cells. Visit her webpage on
Facebook
for more details and pictures of completed projects!
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Construction Zone
(T.
Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL with inspiration from Stacy Baker)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things, cells
(plant and animal), organelles and their functions
This project was created for 5th grade students at my school to give them an "inside" view of a cell. Students work as construction teams to build a 3-D model of a cell. They are required to label the organelles with names and functions. Students have used PVC pipe for frames or obtained large boxes from our local appliance store. Students also use the sites on the Biology page of the Kid Zone and their textbooks to research the organelles.
Student Worksheet:
Construction Zone (pdf)
Classroom Cell
(T. Tomm & C. McDaniel, Havana Junior High, Havana,
IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things, cells
(plant and animal), organelles and their functions
Print
out the
Classroom Cell
necklaces and assign "jobs" to the students
that mimic the organelles' jobs in the cell.
For example, the teacher would be the nucleus who
directs that activities of the cell, while a student
that is a lysosome would help "clean up" the
classroom each day. Our 6th grade teacher uses this
activity and I refer back to it while discussing
cells and organelles in our 7th & 8th grade lessons.
It is one of the lessons they remember!
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Mitosis Flip Books
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Mitosis, cell division,
organelles and their functions
This project (passed down to me from a fellow teacher) is based on the old cartoon flip book idea. Students use template cards (printed on cover stock or glued to index cards) to create a booklet that illustrates the steps involved in cell division. After reviewing the stages in cell division (see the Mitosis Note page below), I provide a set of templates (see Mitosis Book below) for them to use to make a flip book. From phase to phase, they must draw diagrams to show the changes that occur throughout the process. I encourage "color coding" to make the end effect easy to follow. Once all the Pages are completed and in the correct order, students use a heavy duty stapler to bind them together. They can flip through the pages and "see" mitosis in action.
Mitosis Flip Books
Also available ...
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Genetics with a Smile
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things,
genetics, inherited traits, genotype, phenotype,
dominant/recessive
During this activity students use pennies to determine the traits for a smiley face, then use Microsoft Word to create the smiley face. After students have completed the faces, I display them in the classroom and have students use their knowledge of genetics to answer questions about smiley faces, traits, and probability.
Student Worksheets:
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A few of the smiley faces created by my students!
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Other ideas to try...
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Connect with another classroom and share your results with them! Challenge students to summarize the similarities and differences between the smileys created in your school and those at your partner school.
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Challenge your students to pair up two smileys as "new" parents and then flip a penny to determine the traits for a new baby. The students can then draw the baby smiley and compare the results to the parent smileys. (Thanks to Nancy Nega for this great idea!)
-
Another twist for the new baby idea - instead of making just one baby, have the students create a display that shows the possible outcomes if two smileys had a baby. Students can provide expected rates of occurrence for each trait based on the parent's traits and compare those to the results of their classmates.
Other goodies for genetics...
-
Punnet Square Practice
-
Thanks to
Peggy Lenz
for sharing this
powerpoint and
directions that she uses to review for the test.
-
Genetics with Sponge Bob (pdf)
What happens when SpongeBob SquarePants marries SpongeSusie RoundPants? Explore the genetics of Sponge Bob and his pals with this fun worksheet! An answer key is provided!
Click
HERE to access the online tutorial for
students.
-
Genetics with SpongeBob 2 (pdf)
A second helping of Bikini Bottom fun exploring the genetics of SpongeBob and his pals! An answer key is provided.
Click
HERE to access the online tutorial for
students.
-
Genetics with SpongeBob - Incomplete Dominance (pdf)
This worksheet provides several practice problems related to incomplete dominance with Poofkins (a special kind of flower) and Goobers (a special breed of jellyfish!) An answer key is provided.
Also available
Codomiance vs. Incomplete Dominance (pdf)
- A version of the worksheet above that
includes co-dominance for the Poofkins (flowers) and
incomplete dominance for the Goobers (jellyfish). An
answer key is provided.Click
HERE to access the online tutorial for
students.
-
Genetics with SpongeBob - Dihybrid (pdf)
This worksheet was contributed by Andrea Stonebraker and challenges students to complete dihybird crosses.
-
Genetics with SpongeBob Review (pdf)
Use this worksheet to review Punnett Squares. An answer key is provided.
-
SpongeBob Genetics Quiz (pdf)
Challenge your students to use their knowledge of genetics with this SpongeBob quiz.
NOTE: SpongeBob SquarePants and all related characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
-
Genetics Challenge puzzle (pdf) -
I use this worksheet to review key terms from our unit on genetics.
-
Genetics Word Search (pdf) -
A word search with terms from genetics as well as an added challenge related to scientists who have made contributions to the field of genetics! Challenge Answers: Chargaff, Crick, Watson, Franklin, Mendel, and Wilkins
-
Genetics Ethics -
This
powerpoint provides links to three online videos
along with related discussion questions to explore
the ethical issues surrounding genetics and genetic
engineering.
-
Want more ideas for genetics? Visit the
Genetics Lesson Plan Links page!
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DNA Keychains
Targeted
Concepts: DNA, structure
(nucleotides, backbone), replication
My students make DNA key chains (original idea from DNA Jewelry
that was part of the
Access Excellence Collection) from beads and wire and then use them for a lesson about DNA replication.
Activity Files:
-
DNA Keychain Guide (pdf) - Provides an overview of the activity as well as list of materials, tips, and a student guide.
-
DNA Keychains (PPT) - A Power Point presentation to use as students make the keychains and includes an answer key for the DNA Replication activity listed below.
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DNA Replication (pdf) - Explore the replication process using the student-made keychains. The worksheet also introduces the process of protein synthesis.
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Protein Power Game
(T.
Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: DNA, RNA, structure
(nucleotides, backbone), replication, protein
synthesis, cell organelles and their functions
I developed this game to help my
students understand the process of protein synthesis
and reinforce the functions of various cell
organelles. It was a big hit with the kids and
we referred back to it many times throughout the
unit. Although it may be challenging at first, the
students quickly catch on to the "jobs" and compete
to see which class could get the fastest time!
Game
Files:
Also available ...
-
Cell
Organelle Chart (pdf) -
Students cut apart small
cards to use to
complete the chart that
outlines the functions of each organelle as well as
memory clues that can be used to help them remember
the functions. I allow my students to use
their own memory clues if they want to create their
own.
-
Cell
Diagram Coloring Page (pdf) -
This worksheet contains two diagrams
(animal cell and plant cell) along with a color
key they can use to customize their worksheet.
-
Protein Synthesis Drama (Submitted by
Steve Tester, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA)
For this activity exploring protein synthesis, students are assigned roles and and play different parts of the protein synthesis process. Download the files below for complete details-
Protein Synthesis Outline (pdf) and
Protein Synthesis Activity Codes (pdf)
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Human Body Activities
(T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Targeted
Concepts: Living things,
organization (cells, tissues, organs, organ
systems, organisms), body systems, health,
diseases
I have listed below several activities and worksheets related to the body systems that I used during my Health unit for 7th & 8th graders. I no longer teach Health, but
am providing the lessons for those of you who do
teach the topics.
-
Skeletal & Muscular System Crossword puzzle (pdf)
-
Nervous System Crossword puzzle (pdf)
-
Human Body System Review (pdf) - This worksheet was used as a review page after completing a chapter on the body systems.
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Human Body System Challenge (pdf) -
A challenging word search puzzle - the students must find 31 terms and then classify them into the various body systems.
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The Organ Trail
-
Challenge your students to create a "Wanted"
poster about an organ. This download
provides project guidelines, student
information, and project worksheets. Links
for students can be found
in the
Sites for
Students area. .
Digital Version Available
- Check the last slide for teacher
information!
-
Human Body Quest (pdf) - This project challenges students to work in teams to create a PowerPoint presentation related to one of the human body systems. The download provides student instructions, A+ grade checklist, presentation planner (draft), and checklist pages for each body system assigned for this project. This project was developed by Lauren Range, Robyn Smith, and Tracy (Trimpe) Tomm.
Thanks to
Deb Costolnick
for sharing the worksheets and rubrics she uses
for her version of the Human Body Quest project
-
main project description,
power point rubric, and the
presentation rubric. The
power point rubric includes a category for the
use of technology. One of the goals of this
project was to introduce students to
collaborative work via Google apps for
education. She also used a
peer
evaluation rubric to allow students
to grade each other and averaged the scores for
their collaboration grade.
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