Crouch Biology

In this lab, students investigate how a combination of genes work together to create an organism. This activity helps to reinforce basic patterns of inheritance: dominant/recessive, incomplete dominance, codominance, and sex-linked traits. Students will flip a coin to determine the genotypes of Mr. & Mrs. Monster, and describe the phenotypes associated. They will then act as a genetic counselor to advise the Monsters on the most likely phenotypes of their potential offspring (Punnett square p

This worksheet/website combo discusses the use of indicators, identifies some macromolecules in common foods, and ends with a murder mystery. **note, the website is a google site made with my school account. Some school internet filters may block it.

This worksheet helps students to determine which candidate is the long lost son who should get the inheritance after a couple dies. Types of problems include: monohybrid crosses, co-dominant dihybrid (blood typing), incomplete dominance, and a sex-linked trait. I have used this as a "short answer" type question on my genetics test as well.

This activity helps to reinforce metric measurement by having students measure each other and convert to mm, cm, & m. They also create a bar graph of the information. I use this at the beginning of the year to practice metrics – something the kids always seem to need to review! Supplies needed:  Worksheets  Metric tape measures (the flexible fabric kind)  Graph Paper

This activity helps to reinforce the genetics of sex-linked traits. There are three scenarios with different sets of parental genes which students use to model the transmission of X & Y chromosomes. Supplies needed: *some minimal set up is required  Worksheets  Beans – large white beans & smaller brown beans are what I use  Paper cups (or something to hold each parent’s chromosomes)

This worksheet walks students through the idea of evolutionary fitness, using 4 lions as examples. They begin by using current knowledge & ideas about fitness to make a claim about the lions. Next, they discuss each lion (ideally with a partner) to think about the pros & cons of each lion. Thirdly, students read with a purpose to summarize Darwin's ideas on fitness (overproduction, genetic variation, struggle to survive, & differential reproduction). Students then wrap up the assignment by re

This activity is an example of a population of bears changing over time once a predator is introduced. It compares 2 arm variations: hands up or hands down. Prep for this lab includes copying & laminating sets of bear cards (3 pages per group) OR you can use "Teddy Grahams" crackers. (I stopped using the crackers when I noticed an uneven distribution of hands up & hands down bears... but I wanted to let you know it is another way to complete this lab.) I have also included the grade sheet I

In this activity, students will make a small terrarium that will allow them to observe and measure the water given off through transpiration. The investigation takes a few days, to give the plants time to transpire. Students then graph the class data, to compare transpiration rates in different environmental conditions. I use this while studying photosynthesis, as transpiration rates are affected by the amount of photosynthesis the plant is doing. Goals: 1. Students will be able to recognize

This labeling worksheet provides a review of the processes of Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis (what moves into & out of each process). The 1st page is basic knowledge of the processes, focusing on where the cellular energy comes from for a Thanksgiving dinner. (I think this page would work for middle school). The 2nd page (back side) is more detailed on the processes, which I expect my High School students to answer. Topics covered: • Photosynthesis • Cell Respiration • Exchange of

In this lab, students experiment with genes and environment for a population of toothpick “fish”. They should have an understanding of basic genetics (genotype & phenotype) before this activity. Concepts covered include: genetics review, biodiversity & populations reacting to environmental pressure, introductory evolution (I use this as a bridge from a genetics unit to an evolution unit). Supplies needed: (per group)  1 “gene pool” container (a cup)  8 green toothpicks  8 red toothpicks

18 printable Valentine cards with silly science sayings. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, & Space topics included.

Using what students currently know about their body, they decide who would “win” in a battle to find out which body system is “most important”. Complete each battle by justifying the answer using as much scientific evidence as you can to defend decisions. I use this activity in the beginning of my Homeostasis & Interacting Systems unit. It makes students activate prior knowledge about their bodies as well as use reasoning & justifying skills. I will also go back to this activity toward the e

In this investigation, students determine the ideal environment for yeast to grow. They measure the amount of fermentation with the height of bubbles the yeast produce in the solution. Great for studying cell respiration/fermentation, ideal environments, or homeostasis. Materials Needed: ü Yeast ü Sucrose ü Water supply ü Hot plate ü 3 beakers ü Thermometer ü Test tube rack ü 4 test tubes ü Test tube clamp ü Ruler

Oh no! Your lab has been hacked & your grizzly bear DNA project has been contaminated with bunny rabbit genes! In this activity (paper lab), students will practice with Transcription and Translation to decode genes. Each student (or pair of students) should get 1 of the 10 strands to decode and find any inserted bunny traits. Concepts covered: protein synthesis, transcription, translation, codons, mRNA, introns/exons... Only supplies needed are paper based. I have also included a link to a

My students always "get" 1 trait Punnett squares right away, but need a lot more help with 2 traits. I came up with this guide to show them 2 ways of completing the task, both will get you the correct answer. I like to ask them: "Do you like big Punnett squares or do you like math?" :)

A handy guide to finding Hardy-Weinberg frequencies.

This is the format I use for all of my student's lab reports. Each student has a lab notebook (composition style) that they use throughout the year to document their learning. They are always amazed when they look back at the end of the year and see the progress they have made!