This lesson ties in our 7th grade science curriculum where students study …
This lesson ties in our 7th grade science curriculum where students study the Systems of the Body. It also looks at how these systems function in relation to athletics. Students are to design an app that looks at these systems and how an app can help an athlete train for their sport.
SYNOPSIS: This lesson builds on students’ understanding of the cardiorespiratory system, showcases …
SYNOPSIS: This lesson builds on students’ understanding of the cardiorespiratory system, showcases how climate change impacts cardiorespiratory health, and concludes with students exploring ways they can expand their actionable responses to climate change.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson teaches students about what is in the air we breathe, how trees are important to keeping the air clean, air pollution, and how to solve some of the big global problems. Links to local New Jersey organizations are provided. The TedEd video also links to more resources about air pollution. This lesson also includes some movement and a game to help students visualize how pollutants can be removed for the air. The videos contain accurate and thought-provoking information. This resource is recommended for teaching.
POSITIVES: -This lesson incorporates play and fun into learning about air quality and how it relates to the cardiorespiratory system. -Students will draw direct connections between health and climate.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -Teachers should have access to a play space large enough to accommodate the “Catch Your Breath Game." -Teachers should have access to balls or objects that students can throw or catch. -Teachers should be familiar with facilitating a Socratic seminar style discussion.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Students can write an analysis on why they think the game is called “Catch Your Breath.” -Teachers can assign the groups to strategically place students who need support in certain areas with students who can provide that support. -Teachers can print out the cardiorespiratory system diagram for students who would benefit from a hard copy. -Other resources related to this lesson include this video about a nonprofit detecting deforestation and this resource to determine the tree equity score of your city or neighborhood.
Chemical reactions play an important role in our digestive system. This activity …
Chemical reactions play an important role in our digestive system. This activity will allow you to observe one of those reactions, known as a decomposition reaction. Decomposition is a reaction that breaks down a complex substance into simpler substances. You will be using the enzyme amylase to break down a starch into a simple sugar. This lab will simulate what is happening in your mouth when your saliva (which contains the enzyme amylase) begins to break down the complex carbohydrate starch.
To investigate the movement of water into and out of a polymer. …
To investigate the movement of water into and out of a polymer. Gummy Bears are made of gelatin and sugar. Gelatin is a polymer that forms large three-dimensional matrices which give structural support to jellies and jams, and a lot of other things you use every day. This process will simulate what happens in your body cells.
DNA contains instructions that are needed for our bodies to survive. DNA …
DNA contains instructions that are needed for our bodies to survive. DNA is needed for us to develop and reproduce. All body systems depend on DNA to function. In this activity, you will be extracting DNA from a piece of fruit. The purpose of this activity is to give you a first hand look at the long chained molecule of DNA. DNA relates to all of our body systems, and this lab will give you a better understanding of what DNA is.
The students will watch a video on the structure of the circulatory …
The students will watch a video on the structure of the circulatory system, then they will observe their heart rates and investigate how carrying extra weight affects their heart rate.
After studying the basics of enzyme function, students will be exposed to …
After studying the basics of enzyme function, students will be exposed to the history and evolution of lactose intolerance/lactase persistence. Both whole group and individual activities will ask students to interact with the concept. They will conduct a lab to understand the role of enzymes in lactose digestion and communicate their knowledge by creating a public health poster.
After studying the basics of enzyme function, students will be exposed to …
After studying the basics of enzyme function, students will be exposed to the history and evolution of lactose intolerance/lactase persistence. Both whole group and individual activities will ask students to interact with the concept. They will conduct a lab to understand the role of enzymes in lactose digestion and communicate their knowledge by creating a public health poster.
Horsepower is a measure of how fast energy is exchanged. We usually …
Horsepower is a measure of how fast energy is exchanged. We usually think of car engines when we hear the word horsepower, however, we can also calculate how much horsepower a human produces. All of our body systems work together to produce and use energy. Depending on what activities we are doing, our energy needs can vary. In this activity, we will calculate your individual horsepower and compare your results to other students.
To gain an understanding of how the muscular system is related to …
To gain an understanding of how the muscular system is related to the respiratory system, and to investigate how muscular activity affects carbon dioxide production.
The students will investigate the muscular system by observing and comparing slides …
The students will investigate the muscular system by observing and comparing slides of muscles, by observing changes in their arm muscles and by observing their respiration and pulse rate during sitting, walking and running.
SYNOPSIS: This lesson plan connects redlining with current issues of environmental and …
SYNOPSIS: This lesson plan connects redlining with current issues of environmental and racial justice.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This is a thoroughly sourced and cited lesson plan. All of the external links meet our quality standards for accuracy and current information. Additionally, the external links are well-sourced, and the data is provided for tools like the Tree Cover Equity map. This lesson has passed our scientific quality assessment.
Positives -This environmental racism lesson plan clearly connects redlining in the 1930s and environmental injustice today. -This lesson is extremely powerful because students make the connection between redlined areas and their case studies. It is nuanced and will not always line up perfectly. Overwhelmingly, however, neighborhoods that were redlined are experiencing environmental injustice - higher rates of asthma, unbearable heat, air pollution, and less tree cover. It is an incredibly meaningful "aha moment" for the students.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -There might be some pushback with those who do not understand racism. -Students might think “I’m not racist.” But it’s important to know that racism exists whether one perpetrates individual racist acts or not. -For some background information and definitions, use this resource from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s book, How to Be an Antiracist. -It may be useful to discuss how climate change is a “threat multiplier.” For things like urban heat islands and urban tree cover, climate change makes inequities even worse.
DIFFERENTIATION: -It may be best to group students of different abilities when they are exploring their case studies. -If you live in the United States you can adapt case study #4 - the American Forests Tree Equity Score Map - to whichever major city is closest to your school. The lesson is designed for students to explore Philadelphia, but students can simply look at any other city to make the connection between redlining and urban tree cover.
The students will investigate several different types of stimuli (including reflexes).. This …
The students will investigate several different types of stimuli (including reflexes).. This activity will help the students to gain a better understanding of how the nervous system functions.
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