Curated OER
Identification of Positive Streptococci
After being introduced to the genus Straptococcus, biology buffs set up agar plates, esculin slants, and salt broth tubes with different species to test. The level of laboratory skills required to perform this activity makes it most...
Biology Junction
Kingdom: Fungi
Based on DNA, fungi relate more closely to animals than to plants. This new scientific knowledge shifted the world view of scientists and opened up new classifications. Viewers learn about fungi's place in evolution, in the tree of life,...
Curated OER
Investigative Case - "Swampeast Missouri"
Students explore wetland hydrology and biology and decide whether or not to restore a wetland or retain dams and drainage systems. They examine the complexity of decisions regarding wetland restoration as well as investigate viewpoints...
Biology Junction
Arthropods
Even the creepy crawlers have pretty amazing anatomy! A thorough lesson describes characteristics of arthropods with an emphasis on their structures. Beginning with a review of the taxonomy hierarchy, the lesson explains the different...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Biomolecules
An informative lesson has learners read about, discuss, and study the classification, structure and importance of the following biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and enzymes.
Curated OER
Protists and Fungi
Here is an outstanding presentation on protista. It lists general characteristics, and then moves on to describing three different categories of protists. For each, viewers learn physical features, behaviors, and means of reproduction....
Biology Junction
Annelids: The Segmented Worms
Here's a lesson that just might make your class squirm! Learn about segmented worms in a detailed PowerPoint presentation including the wriggly earthworms young scientists dig up in their backyards. Although seemingly simple creatures,...
Curated OER
Poriferans and Cnidarians
Students study the major phyla of the animal kingdom. In this biology lesson unit, students identify their general characteristics. They define taxonomy terminologies.
Curated OER
Bioinformatics
Students are exposed to the tools and databases currently used by researchers in molecular and evolutionary biology. They gain a better understanding of gene analysis, taxonomy, and evolution.
Curated OER
Diversity of Life
Students study the classification of viruses and describe their structure. In this investigative lesson students complete an activity and answer questions about viruses.
Curated OER
Identifying Quincy's Birds
Students compare a variety or bird characteristics. They identify and classify birds within their local area. Students investigate how to examine and scrutinize differences in features of organisms and understand variation in the...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Animal
Students design and create their own hypothetical animal. In this biology lesson, students identify the factors organisms need to survive. They classify their animals according to its correct phylum.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Dichotomous Keys
Young scholars pretend to be shark biologists employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who have been flown into the coastal city of Sao Luis in Brazil because locals have noticed an unidentified shark at...
Curated OER
Human Demographics
Students explore factors that change human population growth in a biology simulation for seven countries including the United States, China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, India, and Mexico. Factors such as age at which women begin having...
Curated OER
Animal Coverings and Homes
First graders research what kind of coverings living organisms have, and where those organisms live before they can understand how to group them. The following activities will precede the "animal groups" centers, and therefore allow them...
Curated OER
Clearly Classified
Learners investigate plants and insects. In this science classification lesson, students create separate categories for insects and plants by characteristics. Learners discover scientific names of insects.
Curated OER
Index of Organisms
In this biology learning exercise, learners fill in the description of a plant or animal. They write answers to 8 blanks and draw the organism's life cycle diagram.
Curated OER
Classification and Binomial Nomenclature
Young scholars practice identifying different groups of living organisms using a dichotomous key. Students also examine the history of an organism and its lineage by writing a paragraph about it and "three generations" of ancestors.
Curated OER
Primate Classification 2006
Learners examine groups of hierarchy and see how primates are categorized. In this primate classification lesson plan students view video and slides then examine the taxonomy of primates.
Curated OER
Taxonomic Keys
Seventh graders create their own dichotomous key. In this biology lesson, 7th graders classify animals based on their observable features. They explain how to use their dichotomous key.
Curated OER
WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS A ZEBRA?
Students read the essay, "What, If Anything, Is a Zebra?" following a teacher made reading guide. They investigate cladistics, shared derived characteristics, with further online research to enhance their study of evolution and...
Curated OER
An Automobile Phylogenetic Tree
Students construct a phylogenetic tree for various automobiles and trucks after considering important characteristics of these "organisms". They work in small groups to construct the trees and complete a set of questions then they...
Curated OER
Classify That!
Learners explore diverse forms of life by using modern biological classification systems to group animals that are related. Students then study basic scientific groupings like genus, species, mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and...
Curated OER
Sexual Selection in the Animal Kingdom
Students research how sexual selection plays a role in driving evolution. They experiment how variation exists within not just obvious physical traits, but metabolically and behaviorally. They write a letter describing a problem, and a...