Lesson+2

Grade Level:  10

Unit:  Biology

Lesson Objectives (include 4 or 5): Student will understand  Student will be able to  Time Required to complete this lesson:  1 or 2 laboratory periods Title of lesson:  Cell biology lab Description of lesson (if you were to describe to a parent what was happening in the classroom for this lesson, what would you say in 3-5 sentences).  After learning about cells, organelles, and the proper use of microscopes in class, students will observe both prepared "dry" slides and self-prepared "wet" slides of cells under the microscope and record what they see with sketches and written descriptions. Most organelles except for the nucleus are difficult to see in cells with standard classroom microscopes, but students should be able to notice the differences in structure between animal cells and plant cells and between cells with different functions within the human body using the "dry" slides. Students will prepare "wet" slides containing microbial cultures of //Paramecium//, //Amoeba//, //Euglena//, and the like and note that some organisms are independent single cells. Other "dry" slides will show cells in the process of division (**mitosis**). Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred):  Sketches and written descriptions of what was observed under the microscope.
 * That cells are the basic unit of all living organisms.
 * The names and functions of the main structures (organelles) within cells.
 * The structural differences between plant and animal cells and between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 * Effectively use and care for microscopes.
 * Prepare "wet" slides containing live samples.

Resources/materials needed:  Microscopes, various "dry" slides of human tissue samples, unprepared "wet" slides, cover slips, microbial cultures, videos on mitosis and meiosis on my Top 11 Sciences Videos playlist (accessible by a link from Science Theater).

Technology used:  Projection equipment could be used to transmit a microscope image onto a screen for easy observation by the class. I have also recorded a Podcast accessible from the Teaching with Technology page on this site explaining the proper use of microscopes.

The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: Use of projection equipment allows the teacher to interpret a microscope image for the entire class simultaneously. The Podcast allows students to access a mini lecture on the proper use of microscopes whereever they may be. The mitosis and meiosis videos, likewise, can be accessed from any computer.