Microbes+and+Plants

Grade Level: 7

Unit: Micro-Life

Assignment type:

Lesson objectives:
 * Student will understand how bacteria move, reproduce and where they live
 * Student will be able to create a story about what they have learned about bacteria

Time required to complete this lesson: 1 day

 Title of lesson: Microbes

Resources/materials needed:
 * Computers with internet access
 * White Board
 * Bacteria questionnaire handout

Description of lesson: I will begin class with an open discussion of what the students know about bacteria. I will record everything on the white board. A series of questions will then be given to them. The questions will include the following:


 * 1) What do bacteria look like?
 * 2) What are the three basic shapes?
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How are bacteria classified? Name the two large classes.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where have bacteria been located? Name as many places as possible.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How many bacteria live on Earth?
 * 6) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How quickly do bacteria reproduce?
 * 7) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What do bacteria eat? How do they take in their food?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students will then be placed into groups of three. To answer the questions, they will go to various websites that will be given to them. After the assignment is completed, we will go over the answers and discuss anything we would change that was listed at the beginning of class.
 * @http://www.microbeworld.org/
 * @http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/
 * @http://whyfiles.org/shorties/count_bact.html

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Assignment: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As homework, students will write a story entitled "A Tale of a Microbe". The story will be 2-4 pages and will detail the life of a microbe. I would like the students to have fun and be creative with this project. This does not need to be a serious story the students will be encouraged to add their own personalities into the piece. This can make it humorous or serious, as long as what they have learned about microbes comes through clearly.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Technology used: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computer, websites, Microsoft Word

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: Students will be encouraged to do research and find the answers through online websites. This will enforce what they have learned. They will also be asked to use Microsoft Word to write a story. This will further enhance their knowledge of computers.