How does cell structure and function impact an organism?

This post includes resources/ materials that comprise the cell organelle structure/ function part of the cell biology unit. This slide show covers two weeks of class lessons with an emphasis on differentiated instruction. It is very much a "work in progress"- some aspects are very 3D in their instructional style, and others have a ways to go.

Exploring Pollination Through Flower Dissection

This lesson explores the structures flowers have that aid in reproduction. Students then design their own flower based on evidence gathered from studying flower blossoms.

What's a Stomata you?

Exploring stomate structure and function in house plants.

MS - Modeling Natural Selection in Flying Squirrels

MS - Life Science - Lesson PE: Students will construct an explanation supported by evidence for the causes of the structure and function of the flying squirrels adaptations through Natural Selection.

Middle school science = practicing the art of collaboration

Middle School Life Science 5E ENGAGE Lesson

What adaptations do organisms have that help them survive in their environment?

Recently in my middle school classroom, our collaboration abilities have felt a little off-track... way too many direct reminders from me about what the expectations were for students working in groups, and too little self-regulation on the part of my students. This is not going to work for student scientists who need to work together, especially when the Science and Engineering Practices require student interaction.

We're beginning a new 5E learning cycle, so I started off the day with a "Looks Like / Sounds Like" discussion for two behavioral targets. Collaborative work isn't silent, which means that we needed to have a very specific understanding of what Volume Control means in the science classroom. The students contributed their ideas and then we made those our targets for group work for the day.

 On each of the group's placemats (an activity printed on 11x17 paper) I put a little box for teacher feedback and walked around giving them pink stars with my "magical highlighter" for achieving the targeted behavior as a group. Look at all those stars! 

Link to the original Google Doc file for this ENGAGE (5E) activity

All class I heard students asking, "How can we earn another star?" and telling their groups, "If we keep working well together maybe she will give us another one!" I've used this type of reward system before, and it never fails, no matter the age of the students. They crave the immediate feedback and look forward to the validation that they are on the right track when given targets to meet. As we continue working on these behavior targets, we'll experience that much more success as scientists.

Plant Tropism

Exploring plant tropism through pea plants.

Seed Dispersal

We explored mechanisms of seed dispersal with the 7th grade science students.

Adapting current lessons by applying a 3-dimensional approach

3D Earth and Space Science:

Lesson Adaptation from current NYS Regents Earth Science standards

This lesson is an example of how teachers could shift current Regents instruction to incorporate a 3-dimensional approach, while still maintaining progress toward the Regents science exams. Introducing students to the crosscutting concepts serves to enhance current curriculum as well as prepare them (and us!) for the shifts taking place with the adoption of the NYSSLS.

Here's a great set of universal graphic organizers that supports the crosscutting concepts:

In this lesson, it is crucial for students to be able to understand the structure and function of the system so they can model what is happening in the chosen phenomena.

Click the "Read More" link to view student work examples and teacher reflection.

3D Lesson - Earth and Space Science - Interpreting Models of Landscapes

3D Earth and Space Science Lesson: Mapping the Impossible

ESS2; ESS3; ETS1

This lesson is an example of curriculum adaptation.