Chickadee Science
10 Followers
Norton, Massachusetts, United States
About the store
The 2021-22 school year is my 9th year of teaching. I teach AP Biology (since my first year!), introductory Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and I have designed a half-year course that focuses on how human diseases can be caused by genetic mutations, hormone imbalances, and environmental factors.
Read moreAll resources
Filters
Grade
Resource type
Standard
Audience
Gummy Bear Dissection
I use this lab as an introduction for students to practice dissection skills (i.e., using a scalpel correctly, proper clean-up procedures) as well as practice the body region terms we learn about before this lab. Before any lab work actually begins, I always show them how to properly use scalpels. We employ the "Thank you" - "You're welcome" method of passing sharp objects - The person receiving says "Thank you" when they have a solid hold on the object, and then the person passing says "You're
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
Bad Science Project
I love this project! I usually use this project at the end of the year after a standardized test (for me, the AP Biology Exam and the Biology MCAS) and/or after my senior students have graduated. We watch some school appropriate movies during class and rip the movie to shreds on its scientific accuracy. Some movies are more difficult, but some make it absolutely too easy. I always start this project with the movie "Sharknado" (I also dress up in my Sharknado leggings for fun), but pretty much an
9th - 12th
General Science
You're the Expert - Epithelial Tissue Research Project
This is assigned at the very beginning of the the unit on tissues and is typically due at the end of the unit. Students pick what disease they are interested in (I don't let them do any research ahead of time) and construct some kind of presentation on their disease. You can have each student present to the class or submit them directly to you. I've done it both ways, and there are pros and cons to each method. Since I assign this at the beginning of the unit, I don't give any set class time for
9th - 12th
Anatomy
I am...You are... - Epithelial Tissue Identification Game
I use this game as a fun way to get the students moving and talking about the terms connected to epithelial tissues. Cut the cards out so they can be manipulated. I usually give out the "I am..." cards to the students and place the "You are..." cards around the room. We go over each pair and discuss whether it is correct. All correct pairings I collect, and we reshuffle the incorrect pairs until we have matched up everything correctly.
9th - 12th
Anatomy
Crime Scene Victims - Practice Using Anatomical Regions and Directions
This is a fun activity I use to get students to practice using anatomical region and direction terms. Each person or team is secretly given a sheet with wounds marked on a simple drawing of a body (I use the same diagram found on this sheet so it's consistent). Each student or team then has to write a detailed description of the wound patterns (what they are and where they are!). After that is finished, another student or team will receive the written description and will have to redraw the woun
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Basic Principles, Science
Build a Joint Project
This is a fun project that could be done with any unit or class that coves the skeletal and muscular systems. In the past I've given my students one full class period (about 65 minutes) to play with the materials I could get to make their models, but this time could be either reduced or extended depending on the students and schedule you have. Having a skeleton model or videos/animations of the joints is extremely helpful so students can see how the bones are arranged and try to replicate them,
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
You're the Expert - Skeletal Diseases Research Project
This project could be used for any unit or class that covers the skeletal system. I typically allow students to sign up for which disease they want to cover at the beginning of the unit (before we even talk about the system!) and will give them at least one class period within the unit to work on their presentations. I also tell students that there will a question pulled directly from each project. This does mean more work for me, as I have to edit the quizzes or exams every year, but it does in
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
Body Orientation Concept Map
This is a concept map that can be used for any unit or course that introduces anatomy and physiology. It covers the basic function of most anatomy systems as well as a few terms important for homeostasis. I typically assign concept maps at the start of a unit, and collect them as a homework grade on quiz or exam day. It could also be used as a review for a quiz or exam.
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
NGSS
HS-LS1-2
, HS-LS1-3
Draw-it-Out! Epithelial Tissues
I use this graphic organizer as a way to more easily show students the differences between 8 types of epithelial tissues. For each diagram, we labeled the basement membrane as well as what the cells looks like. If there are extra structures (like cilia for pseudostratified columnar) we label those and describe their function on the graphic organizer. For Transitional Epithelium, we draw both the relaxed and the stretched version.
9th - 12th
Anatomy
Scale of the Human Universe
This is a virtual friendly way to have students compare the size of cells, molecules, and organisms to each other. I like to use this activity as an introduction to a unit on cells to gauge what students might already know about the relative size of things that are too small for them to see with their naked eyes. You could make it a competition as well to see who could get the most correct order, and you could go through the website together to avoid a student going right to the website.
6th - 12th
General Science, Science
NGSS
MS-LS1-3
, MS-LS1-1
, HS-LS1-2
Bust a Move! Project (Good for Virtual School)
This a super fun project that could be use for any unit or course that covers the skeletal and muscular systems. Students are responsible for connecting specific joints around the skeleton with dance moves that isolate each joint, or "show them off". There are two versions, one of which is more easily tackled with a virtual class - one version has students constructing a dance routine and performing it (either in a video or live), and the other version has students analyzing a music video made b
7th - 12th
Anatomy, Dance, Science
Which Bone is Which Bone? Skeletal Identification Practical
This is a hands-on activity that could be done in any unit or course that covers the skeletal system. I am lucky enough to have physical models of each bone in a disarticulated skeleton for students to be able to pick up and compare to their own bodies, but a slide show of pictures of isolated bones works well too. I have my students cycle through stations with 1-2 bones at each station, labeled with a number on a sticky note. Included on the last page is a Word Bank that I print out and have av
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
Histology Concept Map & Homework Questions
This is a concept map that could be used for any unit or course that introduces the four major types of tissue and some examples. This concept map includes more detail on the types of epithelial tissue and their functions as well. I typically assign concept maps at the beginning of a unit and collect them as homework on quiz or exam day, but this could also make a great review for a quiz or exam.
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
NGSS
HS-LS1-2
Epithelial Tissues Practical
This is a microscope lab I do towards the middle of a unit on histology. Students will need to have already discussed the characteristics of epithelial tissues if not drawn each tissue. Students will also need previous experience with using microscopes appropriately. *This activity requires the use of microscopes and epithelial tissue slides! If you don't have reliable access to these materials, you can use stained pictures from the internet as a stand-in for microscope work.
10th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
Membranes and Skin Concept Map
This is a concept map that could be used in any unit or course that covers or introduces the basics of the integumentary system. I typically assign concept maps at the beginning of a unit and then collect them as homework on the day of a quiz or exam. They can also be used as review for a quiz or exam. This concept map also comes with some extension questions that can also be assigned as homework or as review.
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
"I am...You are..." Tissues Matching Game (Drag and Drop)
This is a virtual friendly version of my "I am...You are..." tissues game. Students drag and drop blue text boxes on the outside of the last two slides in order to match up the term to its description. **EDIT: Now includes an Answer Key! Make sure to delete those slides before assigning to your students!
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
Skeletal System Concept Map (with Answer Key)
This concept map could be used for any unit or class that covers the skeletal system. I typically assign concept maps at the beginning of the unit as a homework assignment, and I collect them on quiz or exam day. This could also be used as a review before a quiz or exam.
9th - 12th, Adult Education
Anatomy, Science
The Skin You're In Research Project
This project could be used in any unit or course that covers the integumentary system. Some background knowledge about the structures of skin and body membranes would be extremely helpful for students investigating these topics. I typically assign this project at the beginning the unit on the integumentary system and allow for a few in-class project days before presentations begin. To get more buy-in, I also tell students that there will be questions on the quiz or exam that come directly from
9th - 12th
Anatomy, Science
Showing 1-18 of 18 results
About the store
Experience
The 2021-22 school year is my 9th year of teaching. I teach AP Biology (since my first year!), introductory Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and I have designed a half-year course that focuses on how human diseases can be caused by genetic mutations, hormone imbalances, and environmental factors.
Teaching style
I teach through activities as often as I can. Lecture can get boring so quickly, so I also incorporate movement breaks, discussion questions, and mini-activities into my lectures. I have also taken to recording my lectures through Screencastify to post them ahead of time for students to listen to. This has been working amazingly well in my AP Biology classes, so I highly recommend it if you can flip your classroom this way!
Awards & shining teacher moments
Partners in Excellence Teaching Award - 2014-15 School Year and 2017-18 School Year (Mass Insight Education)
My own education history
I graduated from UMass Amherst with my B.S. in Biology in 2012. I went back to UMass immediately to complete an intensive Master's program for my M.Ed. in one year. I student taught at a high school in the area for nearly the entire year, so I left the program with a Master's, 8 months of experience, and a full-time job in another district.
I have since taken many graduate classes in both education (e.g., SEI certification, Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness course) as well as life science specific content (e.g., AP Biology teacher courses, virology, teaching climate change).
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands