Lesson+Plans

=Lesson plans= ===Here are a few lesson plans that I have developed. Feel free to download them and try them in your classroom! There are MANY MORE on the UMSMS wikispaces lesson plan page, so check those out too!===

====**__Circuits and Batteries__**- This lesson focuses on how electricity flows through different types of circuits and has students make their own batteries in class. Accompanied by the Electrical Circuits: "The Adventures of Ellen the Electron" comic on our Pixton Comics page.====

====__**Cell Models**__- This lesson has students construct models of plant and animal cells out of cheap and easy-to-find materials. A great way to teach how plant and animal cells are different, and prectice learning the organelle names and functions. Accompanied by the Cell Biology: " The Wonderful World of Cells" (parts 1 and 2) comics on our Pixton Comics page.====

====**__Scientific Thinking: Cricket Behavior__ - This lesson has students help design their own experiment to study the feeding preferences of crickets. This is a great way to get your students to start thinking scientifically and designing experiments. Accompanied by the Scientific Thinking: Cricket Behavior: "Kevin's Krazy Kricket" comic **on our Pixton Comics page.====

====__**Density of Rocks**__- In this lesson, students are investigators who are trying to test evidence found at a crime scene, by calculating the density of different rocks (evidence). This lesson needs to be preceeded by the Density of Rocks: "CSI: Following the Hard Evidence" ** comic **on our Pixton Comics page.====


 * __DNA and Mutations__-** This lesson has students explore how DNA mutations can alter the the translation of code and the resulting outcome (appearance in this case). My students loved it because they got to play with dice, draw, and decode the DNA mesage. It is paired with my "DNA and Mutations" comic on my Pixton Comics page.


 * __Wave Behavio__r-** This lesson explores the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of waves. It also touches on constructive and destructive interference. Most of the fun stuff is included in the demos...especially with the speaker full of Oobleck.