Lesson Plans
This website is in prep,
please check back soon for more posted lessons!
University of New Mexico NSF GK-12 Lesson Plans (2007-2009) created
by Brittany Barker, and some in partnership with GK-12 fellows Yadéeh
Sawyer, Jessica R.
Snider and Tony A. Salem.
Themes (click theme to
view lessons)
Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate Change Lesson (PDF)
7th
grade
70
minutes
Abstract.
Classification (PDF) (Brittany Barker)
7th
grade
70
minutes
PowerPoint
Introduction (PPT)
Abstract.
Adaptation (PDF) (Brittany Barker)
7th
grade
70
minutes
PowerPoint
Introduction (PPT)
This lab allows 7th and 8th grade students to
examine natural history museum specimens in order to gain hands-on experience
with studying how animals are adapted to their environment. Specimens of
insects, amphibians and reptiles (all protected within a secure glass box or
jars) from a natural history museum provide examples of a variety of
adaptations such as camouflage, warning coloration, mimicry and structures for
jumping, swimming, digging. First, students watch a short PowerPoint
presentation covering the basics of adaptations, evolution and natural
selection. Afterwards, they go to a series of twenty stations. Some stations
have note-cards with specific questions; others are just numbered so that the
students simply study the animal’s morphology to think about what adaptations
they have. Finally, students sketch their favorite museum specimen and generate
a hypothesis regarding what adaptations it has that may makes it well suited
for their environment.
DNA Extraction Lab (PDF)
7th
or 8th grade
70
minutes
Abstract.
Introduction To Cells Lab (PDF) (Brittany Barker, Yadéeh Sawyer)
7th
grade
60
minutes
This lab was developed to provide 7th grade students in
life sciences courses with a hands-on introduction to cell biology. Ideally,
the students will be learning about cells concurrently in their textbooks to
provide background knowledge on cell structure, differences between animal,
plant, and bacteria cells. Four microscope stations are set up: 1. plant leaf
cells, 2. human skin cells, 3. onion bulb cells, and 4. bacteria cells.
The Spread Of A Virus Through A
Population Student
Version (PDF) Teacher’s
Version (PDF) (Brittany Barker)
7th
or 8th grade
60
minutes
PowerPoint Introduction (PPT)
This is an inquiry based activity that simulates the movement of a
virus through a population. Students will be engaged in acting out the spread of
a virus through their classroom. The students will use critical thinking skills
to determine the source(s) of the virus and the factors that influence the rate
of transmission.
Plant Growth Lab (PDF) (Brittany Barker, Jessica Snider, Yadéeh Sawyer)
7th
or 8th grade
4-6
weeks
PowerPoint
Introduction (PPT)
This lab is designed to introduce 7th and 8th
grade students to the relationships between plants and their environments. In
particular, students will learn how sunlight, water and fertilizer influence
the growth of different varieties of common plants. Three greenhouses are
constructed out of extra-large moving boxes to house approximately 96 plant
seedling pots each. Students determine how a physical factor (e.g., sunlight,
water) or resource (e.g., soil type) affects plant growth over the course of
4-6 weeks.
Amphibians (PDF) (Brittany Barker)
7th
or 8th grade
45
minutes
PowerPoint
Introduction (PPT)
This lesson provides real data that scientists have collected over
amphibian declines, providing students an opportunity to create and analyze
graphs (pie charts, bar graphs and scatter plots), while at the same time
highlighting the current extinction crisis that hundreds of amphibian species
are facing.
Belen Outdoor Education Program
(PDF) (Brittany Barker, Jessica Snider, Tony
7th
and 8th grade
One
and two day trips
PowerPoint
(PPT)
Abstract.