New Resources

NEW LESSON PLAN: Terrestrial Arthropod Adaptations + Engineering Design

Posted on August 10th, 2020

Students explore the extraordinary adaptions and diversity of terrestrial arthropods through short Shape of Life videos and student-centered activities. Engage students by showing a short clip of an interesting arthropod phenomenon with the audio muted. Students identify the structures of all arthropods with th esupport of on eor more video segments. Students will record notes about physical and behavioral adaptions, then create a diagram of their favorite arthropod species, labeling its structures and adding annotations to describe their functions. 

 

Grades: 6-12

Time: 45-90 min

NEW LESSON PLAN: Marine Arthropod Adaptations + Engineering Design

Posted on July 9th, 2020

Students explore the extraordinary adaptations and diversity of marine arthropods through short Shape of Life videos and student-centered activities in the 5E Instructional Model. Options to engage students include showing a short clip of an interesting marine arthropod phenomenon with the audio muted. Then students identify the structures of all arthropods with the support of one or more video segments. Students will record notes about physical and behavioral adaptations, then create a diagram of their favorite marine arthropod species, labeling its structures and adding annotations to describe their functions. Possible Enrich / Extend activities are listed at the end of the lesson, including a design thinking / biomimicry / engineering activity inspired by arthropod adaptations, a comparison activity, and field studies to investigate the arthropods in nearby natural areas -- or even the supermarket.

Grades: 6-12

Time: 45-90 min

 

Phenomena-Driven Inquiry

Posted on May 12th, 2020

In this lesson, students engage in the practice of science. They observe behaviors using Shape of Life videos with the audio and closed captioning turned off. They try to figure out what the phenomenon (the behavior) is and how it might help the organism to survive. Working in pairs they make a hypothesis about what they are observing with evidence to support their hypothesis.

What's the Bigger Picture?

Posted on March 17th, 2020

Using the Power of Art to Teach Science

In this lesson, students combine art and science to interpret and illustrate graphical art. In this way, students will building understanding of the power of data infused art to convey the "bigger picture" of climate change. 

 

NEW LESSON PLAN: Science in Action

Posted on January 8th, 2020

Explore Scientists' Connection to the Three Dimensions of NGSS with our new lesson plan.

Students will get the 'real scoop' on what it's like to think like a scientist. Our new Science in Action lesson plan features NGSS aligned concepts in Three Dimensional Learning through Science and Engineering Practices (SEP's), Crosscutting Concepts (CC's) and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI's).

Three Dimensions helps students see the interconnections between disciplines including science, critical thinking, math and English Language Arts (ELA) skills.

 

 

 

NEW LESSON PLAN: Our Chordate Family Tree

Posted on October 4th, 2019

This new lesson plan is about our own family tree. We are chordates.

Your students will explore the evolution of the phylum Chordata by constructing a “family tree”—a diagram of evolutionary traits and animals, using cards showing Chordate traits. After watching the Chordate Shape of Life video, students revise their diagrams and add information, including examples of modern animals that exhibit the traits.

Highlights:

- Students will create evolutionary family trees.

- Students will understand and discuss key characteristics of chordate species orally and in writing.

  • - Students will explain how common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

HAVE FUN exploring your family tree.

LESSON PLAN: Modeling Evolutionary Relationships with Trees

Posted on August 26th, 2019

In this lesson, students will examine a beautiful tree of life poster by artist Ray Troll and use it as a launchpad to explore evolutionary, or phylogenetic trees. Students will take a pre-assessment to address misconceptions about
phylogenetic trees before completing a modeling activity to give them a better understanding of how trees are used to model evolutionary relationships.

Teach Our Children Well

Posted on June 6th, 2019

Boy, did the recent NPR program hit us between the eyes! It explores why teachers don’t want to tackle climate change in their classrooms.
AND!... 4 out of 5 parents wish they did!

In a show of support to teachers we added a whole new section to our online offering:
 
Climate Change and the Ocean
 
We think it’s essential students understand what’s going on in the beautiful blue that covers 70% of our planet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES

Cnidarian Adaptations

Posted on March 26th, 2019

Invite your students to explore the origins of muscles, nerves, and other animal adaptations through a study of the fascinating phylum Cnidaria.

In this lesson plan students explore the origins of muscles, nerves, and other animal adaptations through a study of the fascinating phylum Cnidaria. They will have the opportunity to observe the predatory organisms, including sea anemones and jellies and the amazing adaptations that they use to catch prey, defend themselves, etc., in one or more Shape of Life video segments.