Tag Archives: Biology Curriculum

bioboost, graphing

Exploring Cell Phone Usage versus GPA With This Graphing Activity

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Are you a science teacher looking for engaging ways to incorporate real-world data into your lessons? This Cell Phone Graphing activity is a fantastic way for students to explore the relationship between cell phone usage and academic performance through hands-on data analysis. By graphing actual research findings, students will gain valuable insights into the scientific process and strengthen their graphing skills. Let’s dive into how this biology graphing activity can be an impactful addition to your curriculum!

Scenario Overview

In this activity, students will analyze data from a hypothetical study that investigates whether there is a correlation between cell phone usage and academic performance among college students. This setup helps students explore questions related to the impact of screen time on GPA—a relevant topic in today’s digital age.

Background and Relevance

As smartphones have become integral to daily life, researchers have raised concerns about the potential effects of screen time on academic outcomes. This study specifically examines whether the time spent on cell phones correlates with students’ GPA. By diving into this investigation, students will better understand how lifestyle choices can impact educational performance, making the data both relatable and relevant.

Experimental Design in Focus

For this activity, students will work with data collected from a sample of college students who participated in an experiment:

  1. Data Collection: Each participant’s cell phone usage was automatically logged using an app installed on their phone, tracking hours per day spent on the device.
  2. Academic Performance Measurement: Students’ GPAs were recorded as a measure of their academic performance.
  3. Controlled Variables: To ensure consistency, participants reported having similar study habits and extracurricular commitments, providing more reliable data for analysis.

Student Graphing Task

Using the data provided on cell phone usage and GPA, students will graph the results to visualize potential trends and correlations. They will learn how to interpret the graph’s structure, identify patterns, and discuss any observed relationships between the variables.

Teaching Objectives

This biology graphing activity aligns with core educational objectives in science:

  • Data Interpretation Skills: Students will practice interpreting theoretical data by plotting hours of cell phone use against GPA, which encourages critical thinking.
  • Understanding Correlation: This activity introduces the concept of correlation versus causation, helping students recognize that even if a trend exists, it may not imply causation.
  • Real-Life Application of Biology Concepts: By examining the impact of technology on biological behaviors like study patterns, students will see relevance to everyday life.
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Why Include This Activity in Your Lesson Plan?

Integrating this science graphing activity into your curriculum helps students engage with real-world scientific research and develop essential graphing skills. Students will leave the activity with a deeper understanding of how researchers design studies, analyze data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.

This Cell Phone Graphing activity makes a valuable addition to any biology or science class, fostering scientific inquiry and helping students develop practical data interpretation skills. Give it a try and watch your students become more proficient in scientific analysis!

For those seeking engaging science graphing activities, this is an ideal resource for your classroom. It brings abstract research concepts into a relatable context for students and provides a unique perspective on the impacts of cell phone use on academic performance.

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bioboost, Biology Lesson Plans, experimental design

Unleash the Power of the Scientific Method with Our Worksheet!

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Scientific Method Review Worksheet. A Bioboost review.

Scientific Method Review

Are you searching for an engaging and comprehensive resource to teach the scientific method? Look no further! Our meticulously crafted worksheet is designed to captivate your students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the scientific method. Let’s dive into the exciting world of scientific exploration together! Download this worksheet with the blue button below!

Unlock the Secrets of Science: Scientific Method Worksheet

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BioBoost-Scientific Method

Our “Understanding the Scientific Method in Plant Growth” worksheet is a treasure trove of educational value. This resource introduces the scientific method, explores each step in detail using real-world examples, and covers essential terms that are vital for a solid foundation in scientific instruction.

Why Choose Our Worksheet?

Click here to download the worksheet
  1. Comprehensive Overview: The worksheet provides a step-by-step overview of the scientific method, ensuring that students grasp the process from observation to conclusion.
  2. Real-World Application: We take the scientific method out of the textbook and into the real world by applying it to the fascinating realm of plant growth. Students will explore how different substances, like water and fertilizer, can impact plant development.
  3. Key Terms Demystified: Concepts like independent variable, dependent variable, control, constant, bias, hypothesis, theory, law, and belief are clearly explained, making the terminology accessible to students.
  4. Engaging Questions: Thought-provoking questions are included, encouraging critical thinking and reinforcing the concepts covered in the worksheet.
  1. Scientific Method Worksheet: Dive into an immersive scientific journey with our comprehensive worksheet.
  2. Scientific Method Activity: Transform your classroom into a hub of scientific exploration with our engaging activities.
  3. Scientific Method Review: Strengthen your students’ understanding of the scientific method with our thorough and informative review.

Why is our Worksheet Perfect for Your Classroom?

  • Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrate this resource into your lesson plans, whether you’re teaching in-person or online.
  • Suitable for 8th Grade Reading Level: The content is carefully crafted to be accessible and engaging for 8th-grade students, ensuring a smooth learning experience.
  • Promotes Critical Thinking: Encourage your students to think critically and apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios.

Check other scientific method worksheets here!

How to Access the Worksheet:

Getting your hands on this invaluable resource is just a click away. Visit our website and download the “Scientific Method BioBoost Worksheet” worksheet for an enriching and interactive classroom experience. This is a great activity to use for your sub plans.

Conclusion:

Ignite the spark of scientific curiosity in your students with our meticulously designed worksheet. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, this resource is your key to unlocking the wonders of the scientific method. Download now and watch your students embark on a scientific adventure like never before!

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Biology Lesson Plans

Pumpkin Dissection Lab!

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In this activity, students will explore the anatomy of a pumpkin though a dissection. Students will be measuring, preparing slides, staining cells, and using microscopes all while they explore the anatomy of a pumpkin.

Pumpkin Dissection Lab Activity
Pumpkin Dissection Lab

NGSS Standards Covered

Standard Covered

  • HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. (primary standard covered)
  • HS-LS1-5. Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
  • HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

Pumpkin Dissection

Students start this activity by taking some measurements of their pumpkin’s circumference and the blossom end. As students complete the dissection they learn about the anatomy and development of the pumpkin.

What Will Students Learn About Pumpkins in This Lab?

Throughout the lab students will learn about how pumpkin reproduce sexually. They will learn about the male and female gametes and how they combine to form a zygote. Students will also learn about how pumpkin start off green and eventually become orange due to the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments. Students will also learn about the basic part of the pumpkin like the stem, blossom end, ribs, fibrous strand, seeds and more.

What Will Students See Under the Microscope?

During the dissection, when using the microscope students will be able to see a variety of cell parts. For example, students will be able to see the transport vessels in the stem (figure 1).

Figure 1: Picture of the stem cross section using a dissection microscope.

Students will also create several wet mounts to explore the pumpkin skin cells and fibrous strands and be able to see a variety of cell parts and tissues like the cell wall, starch, xylem tissue, guard cells, stomata and more.

Pumpkin Xylem
Guard Cells and Stomata Found in the Pumpkin Skin Cell

Do Student Carve the Pumpkin in this Lab?

Whether or not you decide to let your students carve the pumpkin is up to you! The lab does not include instructions for carving however it does include some ideas if you do decide to let your student carve their pumpkins.

Ideas for Pumpkin Carving After the Dissection

If you decide that your student can safely carve the pumpkin after completing the dissection here are some tips.

  • Be sure you have the appropriate tools. Carving a pumpkin can be challenging and even dangerous without the proper tools. I recommend a pumpkin dissection kit for each group if you are confident your students can safely complete the activity.
  • Use the activity as a review. For example, have students carve cell organelles, a cell, or even their favorite macromolecule molecular structure!

#pumpkindissection #biologyteaching #halloweeninbiology #funbiologylab #scarybiology

Like this activity? You will love our Valentine’s Day Heart Drawing

Biology Lesson Plans, Biology Online

How to Setup your biology class for remote and in-person instruction

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Teaching students who are remote learners while you have students in the classroom

Due to COVID-19 many teachers are expected to teach in creative and challenging ways. Some students may not feel comfortable or safe enough to be in the classroom so teachers have to teach students who are in their class and at home at the same time. This situation offers many challenges for teachers like classroom management concerns, posting assignments online and making copies for in-person students and technology issues just to name a few. Read below to learn how I setup my classroom to teach students who are in class and remote at the same time.

Tools To Use for Teaching Students Remotely

To have a setup that allows you to easily manage your class and your remote learner you will need a few key tools that many teachers already have access to.

-SMART Board (Though is is optional, it is extremely useful to write on the board while screen sharing and your students at home can see you write)

-Wireless earbuds

-Computer and projector

-Ipad, tablet or phone as a secondary device with a stand to hold it up near you.

Wireless Earbuds

This Setup Puts Remote Students In Your Class

Now that you have the necessary items I will describe how this works and why it is so beneficial.

How does it work?

Using the smart board connected to the computer I can annotate from the board and it shows up on the screen. Having the annotations show up on screen is great for your remote learners who will be able to see everything you write via zoom screen share.

How will they see your annotation?

Using zoom you will simply be able to share the screen and students will be able to see everything you write. When doing this, use the computer to host the zoom session.

Next, you want to log into your zoom session using another device like an iPad , phone or another computer but you want this one to be close to the board so student can also see you when the zoom video is enabled.

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Dealing with Audio Feedback for Remote Teaching

With two devices in the same room on zoom audio issues arise and feedback becomes a problem. To solve this you will connect wireless earbuds to the device at the board (Ipad, phone, tablet or another computer). When you do this the audio output is not picked up by your other device so feedback is eliminated.

When presenting with the main computer that is running the zoom session and screen sharing you will want the zoom mic muted as well as your speaker output.

With the device at the board you will be able to hear your students using your wireless earbud and they will be able to hear you where ever you are located in the room because the wireless earbuds are also equippred with a mic.

Caution! Do not forget you have a mic on when walking are the room conversing with the students.

One way to be deal with this is to leave the mic on the “chalk tray” and tell your remote learning to use the raise hand function if they need you. When they raise their hand you will see a notification pop up on the screen.

I often use this strategy even if I am at the board because teaching with an earbud in your ear can make it difficult to hear the students in your class talk and you can’t read lips with their masks on!

Showing a Video Clip During a Presentation

It seems like an easy task but if you want to play a video clip from your computer it does require some quick adjustments. If you try to play the video from your computer that is running the zoom session you will get some feedback. To prevent this, you will need to mute your zoom mic with your device that is at the board and then allow speaker output from your computer and turn on the zoom mic so your at home learners can listen in. Undo the previous steps to go back to teaching mode.

Collaboration and Remote Learning

With tons of plexi glass, sanitizer and social distancing some schools allows us to still do collaborative activities and labs. Including remote learners is pretty easy. Simply, group your remote learners with an in class group and ask at least on of the group members in class to join the zoom session. Once they are in add you remote learner to and their lab partner to the breakout room.

When students sign into the zoom tell them to have their volume down because if they do not they will generate feedback. The feedback problem goes away when they are in a breakout room. I have my students use headphones if they have them.

Summary

Teaching remote students and an in-person class at the same time can be taxing on the brain. Even after doing this for almost an entire school year I rarely get through the week without messing up audio and getting feedback. It comes with the territory I suppose. To set this up, download the checklist . If you have any issues drop me an email (brad@usbiologyteaching.com) or leave a comment below and I will help you out.

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biology curriculum

6 Tips for Using a Biology Curriculum

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If you are reading this post you are either using our full biology curriculum or thinking about using it. The

Tips and Tricks for Using the Biology Curriculum

Tip #1-Read the Lesson Plans
Be sure you are looking over the lesson plans to see how the plans and activities are used. You will find tips throughout the plans that are specific to the activities, classroom management, differentiation, grouping and activity instructions.

Tip # 2 -Differentiate
In the lesson plans, there is a section at the bottom designated for some suggested differentiation approaches and additional activity extension ideas.

The best part of using this curriculum is that it allows you to easily differentiated and make adjustments if you desire! How?Using this biology curriculum gives you time! Time, you are now able to use to hone in on YOUR students and find what works best for YOUR class and students.

Making adjustments and spending time to add the extra touches  that suite your class are now done without the stress of worrying about having a plan in place. You have a plan. Now, instead of building or finding resources that are aligned you can differentiate your instruction to better meet the needs of your students.

Tip # 3 -Review Assessments Prior to the Unit

If you intend to use the assessments provided ensure that you preview them prior to teaching the unit and revisit the assessment regularly throughout instruction (especially direct instruction) to ensure you are better able to help your students hone in on the information you will be assessing/find most important.

Tip # 4-There is Wiggle Room

Do not be afraid to shorten or lengthen the time frames that are given. When looking at the Scope and Sequence you can see there is time built in for reteaching and regular school interruptions. Also, take a look at your state standards to see exactly what topics need to be covered. Some Units are included in this curriculum because they were requested and may fit one states standards but not yours. For example, Classification is not part of my states standards. It is included. It is also organised so it reviews previously covered content while teaching new content. In short, there is wiggle room. Look at the Scope and Sequence and see where you can buy time if you need to.

Tip # 5-  Enthusiasm = Engagement from Students

Regardless of how amazing a lesson is if you are not prepared, organized and excited to deliver it, it is unlikely your students will be excited to learn it. Enthusiasm for the content (even if it isn’t your favorite topic) goes a long way at drawing your students in. You are on stage everyday. Have fun with your job. If you are having fun and are happy, your students will be too. I understand it is not easy to maintain a high level of enthusiasm 100 percent of the time but dig deep and try to as much as possible.

Tip # 6- Use the Community of Teachers!

We live during an amazing time. I recall teachers having to keep track of their grades by penciling them into their paper grade books. Technological advancements  now allow us to collaborate with each other from all around the world. You have access to tons of teachers who are all using the same curriculum!  Reach out, share and grow as a professional!

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