New for 2018-2019 – Daily Lesson Plans for 7th grade Life Science

 

Food Chains/ Food Pyramids/Biomes/Ecosystems

1. BrainPOP – Food Chains Video and on page content is free (link)
2. Study Jams “Food Web” Video (link)
3. “Build a food web” – interactive link, (updated) can you build a food web in the Antarctic?
4. “Bird Yard” – an interactive link for bird habitats (link)
5. “Building a safe home” – an interactive link, the beavers have to build a dam but watch out for predators (link)
6. “Fish Chomp” – can you find enough food to eat and not get eaten in the process? Interactive website (link)
7. Environmental Issues Research and Presentation – students will choose one of 50 environmental issues and teach it to their classmates (blog entry) List of 50 environmental issue topics (pdf), Detailed project requirements (pdf), Peer review sheet (pdf)

Adaptations/Natural Selection/Evolution

1. “Beak Association” – match the bird beak to its adaptations, an interactive link (updated)
2. Charles Darwin Survival Game – an interactive website where you choose from dozens of variations of a cute little ‘species’ and see what happens when the environment changes, food sources change, and predators attack, will your species survive? My 6th graders enjoyed this activity. (link) (blog entry)

Classification:

1. BrainPOP – Classification Video (link)
2. Simple Science – Dichotomous Key Tutorial Video (link)
3. Creepy Critters – a hands on way to practice classification using Aliens, I used a variation of this lesson as my sample lesson with a 5th grade class for my interview.
   • Alien Classification: Creepy Critters (link) and (pdf) with alien cards
4. Pamishan Creatures – using a dichotomous key, students will classify alien like creatures (blog entry)
   • Lesson Source: Biology Corner (link), handout (pdf), answer key (pdf)

Cell:

1. Cell Organelles Using the Jigsaw Method – (blog entry) students will work in cooperative groups to learn about the parts of the cell. Google Slides Template (public link), Worksheet for 4 expert groups (pdf), or Worksheet for 5 expert groups (pdf)
   • BrainPOP Cell Video (free link) and Cell Structures Video (link)
   • Biology 4 Kids – Cell Structure (link)
   • Cells Alive (link)
   • Harcourt School (link)
   • Khan Academy Video (link)
   • I Know That (link)
   • Khan Academy/Sci Show – Plant Cell Video (link) and Animal Cell Video (link)

Genetics:

1. The University of Utah has an extensive list of complete ready-to-go resources for teaching about genetics, I have used several of these with my 7th grade students (link), the two below are ones I have used: Updated 12/28/17
   • “A Recipe of Traits” – dog breeding using genetic traits
   • “Generations of Traits” – a hands on activity that shows how traits are passed from one generation to the next using pom poms
2. Plastic Egg Genetics  – using plastic eggs and manipulatives (pdf) to practice Punnett squares and genetic probability (blog entry)
3. SpongeBob Genetics – students will learn how to use Punnett Squares and solve word problems. SpongeBob Genetics – Google Slides (public link), Bikini Bottom Genetics – part 1 (pdf), Bikini Bottoms Genetics – part 2 (pdf), More fun with Genetics at ScienceSpot.net (link) (blog entry)
4. Amino Acid Codon Wheel– handy reference in full color (pdf)
5. DNA: Paper Protein Chain Activity – blog entry  Updated 12/28/17
6. “The Science of Addiction: Genetics of the Brain” – a great collection of resources and interactive links covering the science of addiction (link) Updated 12/28/17
7. Blood Cells – Blood types review/reinforcement game using flashcards (blog entry)
   • One set of laminated flashcards (pdf) per person, or two sets shared in a group of 4 students

Body Systems

Nervous System & Five Senses:

1. Cow Eye Dissection – a step by step tutorial on how to do a cow eye dissection – not for the squeamish 😉 (link) (blog entry)
   • BrainPOP Video – Eyes (link)
   • Study Jams – The Senses – Seeing (link)
   • Teen Health – Eyes (link)
   • Kid’s Health in the Classroom Teacher’s Guide – Vision (pdf)
   • See all you can see – The National Eye Institute (link)
   • The Cow Eye – iBook (link) for iPads or Mac

Circulatory System:

1. Which way to the Heart? How does blood travel through the body? (blog entry)
   • Review Cards – students will practice identifying the parts of the heart and how blood travels through the body (Google Slides Public Link) and (pdf)
   • Heart Coloring Page – students will learn the parts of the heart (link)
   • BrainPOP – Circulatory System Video (link)
2. Sheep Heart Dissection – students will examine the anatomy of the heart (blog entry)
3. Blood Cells – Blood types review/reinforcement game using flashcards
   • One set of laminated flashcards (pdf) per person, or two sets shared in a group of 4 students  (blog entry)
   • Blood Typing Game – can you make the right choice? (link)
   • Are you my blood type? can you find the donor? (link)
   • Emergency Room – figure out the blood type and correct transfusion (link)
4. Heart Rate Lab: Lab instructions handout (pdf), Excel spreadsheet with blank templates and 2 years of data (excel), Online stopwatch (link)
   • Handouts if not using excel: Individual data (pdf), Class data (pdf) (blog entry)

Reproduction:

1. What days are the busiest in the Maternity Ward? Students will determine what day of the week, and which day of the month have the most birthdays in their grade. (blog entry)
   • Google Sheets for data collection (public link) and (pdf)
   • Perpetual calendar – make a calendar for any year (link)
2. “Find the mate” – an interactive website to match mating pairs of birds (link)
3. Dog Breeding – breeding puppies, what will they look like? (link)

Dissection:

1. Pickle Dissection: Students will practice using tools for dissection and anatomy terminology. This is a classic activity and a must do before dissecting ‘real’ specimens. (link/pdf) (blog entry)
2. Frog Sandwich – students will create a frog shaped anatomy coloring book to aid them with identification of the major body systems during their frog dissection.
   • Link updated 7/23/18 (link)
3. Frog Dissection App – I haven’t used this yet, but may in the spring (iTunes) or (Google Play)