Biology/Life Science

Adobe Education Khan + Create Activities

— Adobe Education and Khan Academy

-K 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://edex.adobe.com/khan-create Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Adobe Education and Khan Academy have partnered to share guided activities for all grade levels from kindergarten through higher learning. Activities begin with Khan Academy created materials to build knowledge through activities that encourage creation, self-expression, and immersion in the topics provided. Select any topic to view a description and correlation to ISTE learning standards. Topics include math, language and literature, science, and social studies. Sign in to download each lesson to your computer that provides for links to all activities and tutorials for using technology tools included in the activities.

In the Classroom

Bookmark this excellent site to use as a resource for finding and developing lessons for both in-person and online learning. Lessons found on this site includes links to videos and articles found on the Khan Academy website, use bookmarking and collaborative resources such as Symbaloo EDU, reviewed here, or Padlet, reviewed here, to share the Khan Academy links along with other helpful resources for students. Use a word cloud tool like WordClouds, reviewed here, to motivate and encourage students to think about the topics shared at the beginning of your activities. If you prefer to use additional multimedia resources in addition to the Adobe products shared in the lessons, browse through the TeachersFirst Edge Tools, reviewed here, to find additional tools for creating videos, webpages, collaboration, and much more.

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Tag(s): grammar, landmarks, cells, social and emotional learning, STEM, multiplication, branches of government, map skills, genetics, Research, Online Learning, digital storytelling, environment, geometric shapes, stories and storytelling, problem solving, molecules, parts of speech,

Garden Activity Guide: Soil

— The Nature Conservancy

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.cbwcd.org/DocumentCenter/View/2244/Soil-Garden-Activity-Guide Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

In this lesson plan, students use analysis techniques to learn about different types of soil and examine the relationship between plant growth and healthy soil. Links to resource materials, including videos, student handouts, and extension activities, are all included. Activities include student research and analysis of dry and moist soil features. Extension activities guide further learning through the examination of natural water filters and garden habitats. Lessons are correlated to Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of these hands-on investigative lessons to engage students in learning about types of soil. Have students document their learning by taking pictures and sharing videos of their investigations on your class website. Instead of printing student handouts, engage students by having them input information using mobile devices and classroom computers. Use a data visualization tool such as Chart Gizmo, reviewed here, to create customized graphs and charts. To create a customized learning unit for your students, use TES Teach Blendspace, reviewed here, to share websites, upload documents, and view videos all in one learning space.

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Tag(s): plants, soil, water, habitats,

Human Influence on Ecology Mapped

— Erle Ellis

7-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTUOHMkGa0Q Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This short YouTube video describes a proposal to reconsider how earth’s biomes are mapped taking into consideration the effect of humans and urban populations. The discussions reflect upon the changing environment due to changes over extended periods of time. Also, the video points out some criticisms in this plan indicating that it may diminish the importance of environmental awareness and protection. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Share this video as part of your unit on biomes, conservation, or world populations. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast the proposal to current definitions of biomes. Then have students debate the pros and cons of the proposal outlined in the video using a tool such as Thinkalong, reviewed here.

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Tag(s): biomes, conservation, ecology, population,

Math and Science Concept Map

— CK-12 Foundation

9-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.ck12.org/conceptmap/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Math and Science Concept Map is an interactive, customizable concept map demonstrating the interrelationships between math and science concepts. Choose or search for an idea to open up the map. Expand the map further by clicking on an item. Learn more about individual terms by selecting a "details" box; those link to videos and reading materials providing further information. You may want to view the explanatory video before exploring the concept map to get an overall understanding of this map and how it works. In order to explore all the features for this concept map, it is best to use the FireFox browser. The explanatory video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Display the concept map on an interactive whiteboard, or with a projector, and explore the complex interactions between math and science together. Focus on one specific topic, such as population growth patterns to find sub-topics for further exploration. Have students choose a topic for further research then present their findings using a tool like Zoho Show, reviewed here, which is similar to Powerpoint, but easier and free. This site is perfect for use with gifted students to find and learn more about specific math and science content.

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Tag(s): concept mapping, STEM,

Nature Video YouTube Channel

— Nature.com

7-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.youtube.com/user/NatureVideoChannel Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Nature Video YouTube Channel brings you the best and latest science news and information videos. Browse through to view the most recent and popular uploads or choose the playlists to view specific content. Playlists include topics such as technology, astronomy, and health. Be sure to subscribe to receive updates about new content. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Flip your classroom and use a video as homework. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. Or, use a tool like playposit, (formerly eduCanon), reviewed here, for students to pause videos and ask or answer questions right on the video. These activities can uncover misconceptions. Show the video to the class, and then discuss the concept at length. To share a single video from this site without all the YouTube clutter, use a tool such as View Pure, reviewed here, and create a shortcut to the View Pure page directly on the desktop. For more advanced classes, provide time for students to choose a video to view and research the underlying concept.

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Tag(s): climate, stars, planets, animals, anthropology, cells, human body,

Plants Map

— Bill Blevins

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.plantsmap.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Plants Map is an online resource for plant enthusiasts that allows you to create communities, personal plant libraries, and map personal gardens. Explore the site using a keyword search or by browsing through the home page to view different plants and information such as locations and type of growth. Be sure to click on the link "What is Plants Map?" just below the sign-up box to view a video or web page with full details about using the site to create collections and your private maps. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Share Plants Map on your interactive whiteboard or projector to locate and discover different kinds of plants. Click the map to find species near you. If you are lucky enough to have a school garden, Plants Map is the perfect site for planning, documenting, and sharing your garden with your students and community.

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Tag(s): plants, communities, maps,

Washington NatureMapping Program

— NatureMapping Foundation

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Washington NatureMapping Program provides information and programs to support environmental stewardship and the collection of data to inventory and monitor wildlife. Although primarily geared toward the states of Washington and California, many of the support materials include information of interest for all locations. Choose the Resources link to find educational materials, animal fact sheets, and more. Be sure to check out the Biodiversity Data that includes several modules with information divided into categories such as marine animals, plants, and wildlife.

In the Classroom

If you don’t live in a state included in the NatureMapping Program, use this site as a model to begin collecting data on wildlife in your area. You may want to share the video Leapin Lizards! found on the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector to inspire students to do their own field research. Have students create online posters individually or together as a class using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard, reviewed here, or PicLits, reviewed here, to show different animals and habitats in your region.

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Tag(s): environment, data, animal homes, animals,

Free Video Lectures

— Free Video Lectures (FVL)

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.freevideolectures.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Free Video Lectures is a resource offering over 1000 free (upper high school and college level) online courses and 25,000 video lectures from more than 30 universities. Begin your search by choosing a subject or university to explore. Use the search bar to find specific content. Icons for each course offer a short description along with the number of included videos. Find topics ranging from accounting to web designing to business management and many others. Download or embed any videos using links and download instructions. Ignore the advertising; the site content is worth it. Note that these videos are NOT hosted on YouTube so may or may not be locked at your school.

In the Classroom

If you are flipping your classroom, use videos from this site to introduce content to students. Embed videos onto your class website or blog for easy student access. Free Video Lectures is perfect for use with gifted students. Use videos to provide advanced instruction and lessons in content not offered in your school. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from a video using a tool such as WordItOut (reviewed here). Challenge students to create a presentation using Prezi (reviewed here) to show what the have learned.

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Tag(s): cultures, video, business, genetics, literature, medicine, oceans, psychology,

Thematic Mapping Engine

— Bjorn Sandvik

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.thematicmapping.org/engine/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

What is a .kmz file and how do you make one? A .kmz file, when opened, launches Google Earth and the files needed to view specific portions of the globe, map overlays, and other information. There are several ways to create a .kmz file to share with others for specific content to be learned. Thematic Mapping Engine provides you with a very simple way to create Google Earth .kmz files. This tool uses data from the United Nations to create maps of all types of development and environmental data. Follow the instructions in the yellow box along the right side of this tool. Select a statistical indicator category from the dropdown (for example, Life expectancy or population). Then, select a year or range of years, and the manner in which they would like the data displayed in Google Earth. Preview and download the .kmz file. Share this file on your blog, wiki, or web page. Click on and then download the file. Once the file is opened, Google Earth then opens and the data is seen within Google Earth. Note: Google Earth must be installed on student computers. Check with your technology department about the availability of Google Earth in your schools. See more information about Google Earth, reviewed here.

In the Classroom

Use this tool with Google Earth to discuss population changes, incidence of various diseases, or look at environmental data such as carbon dioxide emissions. Use this tool when discussing various countries and populations throughout the world, looking at the various factors that affect countries. Use this information to question the history and current state of various populations. Create more than one .kmz file to place on your class website. Provide time for student groups to look at one of the files and draw conclusions or report on their findings. Use class time to look at the information from all groups to obtain a snapshot of various regions, looking at populations, diseases, and more. For younger grades, use an interactive whiteboard or projector to show these files in Google Earth and compare what students know about the United States or other areas in unfamiliar countries. This tool would be perfect for gifted students to use to extend learning in a Science or History/World Cultures class to better understand the world around them.

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Tag(s): climate change, population, diseases, news, landmarks, earth,

Your Brain Map: 84 Strategies for Accelerated Learning

— Open Colleges

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/learning-strategies/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Explore the different portions of the brain and find strategies for improving brain function with this enlightening interactive. Click on any portion of the brain to view its description and function. Choose links on the right side of the page to view the limbic system and neuron information. The neuron section includes information about studies and strategies to improve function.

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for use on your interactive whiteboard or with a projector. View together to explore and learn about different portions of the brain. Discuss various strategies that are shared at this site. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as Wordle (reviewed here), Tagxedo (reviewed here), or WordItOut (reviewed here). Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here or Venngage reviewed here.

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Tag(s): body systems, human body, brain,
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