Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons

ISBN-13: 9780787976521 / Angielski / Miękka / 2005 / 304 str.

Martin Shields

Opis

Biology Inquiries offers educators a handbook for teaching middle and high school students engaging lessons in the life sciences. Inspired by the National Science Education Standards, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice. With exciting twists on standard biology instruction the author emphasizes active inquiry instead of rote memorization. Biology Inquiries contains many innovative ideas developed by biology teacher Martin Shields. This dynamic resource helps teachers introduce standards-based inquiry and constructivist lessons into their classrooms. Some of the book's classroom-tested lessons are inquiry modifications of traditional -cookbook- labs that biology teachers will recognize. Biology Inquiries provides a pool of active learning lessons to choose from with valuable tips on how to implement them.

Spis treści

Preface.

About the Author.

1. Introduction.

What Is Standards–Based Teaching?

Inquiry.

Constructivism.

Resources for Educators.

2. Science as Inquiry.

The Inquiry Cubes.

She Turned Me into a Newt (I Got Better).

Storytelling Graphing.

Crossed Knives: A Pattern Game.

The Distraction Stick: Another Pattern Game.

Case Study Study.

Investigating Plant Growth.

Scientific Inquiry Assessment.

Biology Portfolio.

3. The Cell.

What Is Life? Part 1: Glue Goblins.

What Is Life? Part 2: Investigations.

What Is Life? Part 3: The Andromeda Strain.

Potato Bubbles: An Introduction to Enzymes.

Floating Filter Paper Chips: An Exploration of Enzyme Activity.

Breakfast Is Ready: Bacon Diffusion.

Investigating Osmosis in Plant Cells.

The Osmosis Inquiry Egg.

Mitosis Sequencing.

4. The Molecular Basis of Heredity.

Mendel s Data.

Multifactorial Inheritance.

Nature and Nurture.

Chargaff s DNA Data.

Classifying Oaks with DNA.

5. Biological Evolution.

Explaining Evolution.

The Lost World.

Are Humans Still Evolving?

Dissecting Frog Evolution.

6. The Interdependence of Organisms.

History of a Carbon Atom: Part 1.

History of a Carbon Atom: Part 2.

Life or Death Food Chain Decision.

Investigating Forest Succession.

7. Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems.

Water Discrepancies.

Why Are Plants Green?

Why Are Plants Not Always Green?

Autotroph Inquiries: Comings and Goings.

Autotroph Inquiries: Do Plants Respire?

Autotroph Inquiries: Building Organic Molecules.

Cold–Blooded Thermometers.

Energy Storage Molecules and Natural Selection.

8. The Behavior of Organisms.

Termite Trails Mystery.

Red Dot Special.

The Mozart Effect: Investigating Music and Memory.

The Mozart Effect: Are You Buying It?

9. Science in Personal and Social Perspectives.

Putting SPF to the Test.

Watershed Investigations.

Consider the Issues.

Debating Biological/Societal Topics.

O autorze

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Shields has taught high school biology for thirteen years. He has worked with students of all ability levels from remedial to Advanced Placement. His educational background includes a masters degree in biology and he has had diverse research experiences. He has been published in The Science Teacher and regularly presents on inquiry and other teaching strategies at state and national conventions.

Blurb

Biology Inquiries

Standards–Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons

Martin Shields

Biology Inquiries offers educators a handbook for teaching middle and high school students engaging lessons in the life sciences. Inspired by the national science education standards, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice. With exciting twists on standard biology instruction the author emphasizes active inquiry instead of rote memorization.

Biology Inquiries contains innovative ideas developed by biology teacher Martin Shields. This dynamic resource helps teachers introduce standards–based inquiry and constructivist lessons into their classrooms. Some of the book′s classroom–tested lessons are inquiry modifications of traditional "cookbook" labs that biology teachers will recognize. Biology Inquiries provides a pool of active learning lessons to choose from with valuable tips on how to implement them.

For quick access and easy use, the book is printed in a large 8½" x 11" lay–flat format for easy photocopying. Biology Inquiries contains lessons that:

• Begin with mysteries, questions, and challenges
• Emphasize evidence, explanations, and justifications
• Focus on common biology misconceptions
• Foster questioning, exploration, scientific skepticism, and reflection
• Guide students to construct understanding for themselves
• Bridge research–based theory with classroom realities

"Teaching biology through inquiry takes practice it does not come easily. This book provides a diverse series of excellent labs and activities that will serve as stepping stones that lead to an inquiry based biology classroom a place where all students can experience the joy of developing their understanding and appreciation for biology."
Brad Williamson, biology teacher and former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers