U.S. Common Core Curriculum
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS
ARTIFICIAL SELECTION
A Sample Grade 11 Biology Lesson
When teaching about evolution it is always important to ensure that students understand the mechanism of evolution. As this is a commonly misunderstood concept I always reinforce understanding through a laboratory investigation.
CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
Before this class period students prepared by reading an assigned section of their text and answering some reading comprehension questions. To ensure that students are prepared for the activity a Venn diagram graphic organizer was used to compare Natural & Artificial Selection. Then several examples of specific traits were then discussed using Think-Pair-Share to prepare for the activity.
SIMULATING ARTIFICAL SELECTION
The first part of this lesson required students to act as dog breeders, simulating the process of artificial selection. By choosing which parents to breed based on the desired traits and rolling dice to simulate the random variation of mammalian reproduction students are able to better understand how heredity affects artificial selection.
ANALYZING A LIVE SPECIMEN
The final and most challenging component of this lesson pushed students to use their understanding of artificial selection to try and deduce the purpose for which the West Highland Terrier was bred. This type of challenging task encourages critical thinking and collaboration among students.
GRADE 9 INTEGRATED SCIENCE
The Next Generation Science Standards are task-oriented and as such, I incorporated many labs and inquiry activities into my units. In this lesson, students were given specific steps to follow to facilitate their discovery of the laws of magnetism, as well as the arrangement of magnetic fields.
ANALYZING THE PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS
A Sample Lesson
DEMONSTRATING HOW TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF A MAGNETIC FIELD
The first step of this lab was to determine the strength of the magnetic field of a bar magnet using a compass. I did not immediately demonstrate how to do this but asked my students to follow the lab procedure and work on it with their partner first. Reading and following laboratory procedures is a skill that takes practice and for this reason, I avoid demonstrating techniques until my students have tried to figure it out for themselves. I want my students to take risks, knowing I am there to help them if needed.
USING IRON FILINGS TO MAP THEÂ MAGNETIC FIELD OF A BAR MAGNET
Once students had determined the strength of the magnetic field their next task was to visualize the magnetic field lines using iron filings as a way to check their findings from Part 1 of the lab and to clearly see the interactions between the north and south poles of a bar magnet.
ANALYZING THE PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS
After thoroughly analyzing the magnetic field of a bar magnet students were asked to make observations of the interactions between two or more magnets using the techniques they had previously practised with a single bar magnet.
Keeping instructions limited, while asking for clear evidence of any conclusions drawn encourages students to think critically and collaborate. It is important to begin to develop these skills early in high school to prepare students for more rigorous courses in Grades 11 & 12.