Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan

Engaging Students with Echinoderm Phenomena, Adaptations, and Art

Lesson Plan

Students explore the extraordinary adaptions and diversity of terrestrial arthropods through short Shape of Life videos and student-centered activities in the 5E Instructional Model.

Lesson Plan

Students explore the origins of muscles, nerves, and animal adaptions through of study of the fascinating phylum Cnidaria.

Lesson Plan

This lesson requires students to do a report on distinct scientific fields using Shape of Life videos, Internet resources and a handout about “Cool Science Careers."

Lesson Plan

This lesson begins with students engaging in the practice of science -- observing the phenomena, describing their observations, and making sense of what they see. They observe annelid behaviors using a Shape of Life video with the audio turned off. They try to figure out what the phenomenon (the behavior) is, how it might help the organism survive, and how it might impact the environment. Working with a partner, they make hypotheses about what they are observing and organisms' adaptions that allow it to perform the behavior.

Lesson Plan

In this lesson students discuss the definition of an animal. What characteristics do all animals have in common? To introduce the subject the teacher gives a brief discussion of the five kingdoms (see reference below). What evidence is needed to decide that an organism is an animal? Students watch the video Sponges: Origins and reconsider the definition of an animal.

Lesson Plan

A list of questions about the characteristics of sponges to use after viewing the video Sponges: Origins.Shape of Life Sponges Worksheet. Students make sketches and write short answers to questions about the amazing world of sponges. The worksheet was created by Rachel Miller from Science From Scratch.A Powerpoint including questions to use while watching the video Sponges: Origins video. 

Lesson Plan

A list of questions about the characteristics of Cnidarians to use after viewing the video Cnidarians: Life On the Move.Shape of Life Cnidarians Worksheet. Students make sketches and write short answers to questions about the amazing world of cnidarians. This worksheet was created by Rachel Miller from Science From Scratch.A Powerpoint with questions to answer while watching the video Cnidarians: Life on the Move.

Lesson Plan

Using this tool, students will practice and deepen their understanding of coral reef basics, what is contributing to their loss, and what is being done to preserve this resource

Lesson Plan

Through cutting-edge scientific research, students are introduced to climate change’s effects on the intertidal (ocean acidification and temperature increase) and what is known about how ocean organisms are impacted.