Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

Summer 2002

By Amber E. Howes

JHS 126-K

Things Living in a Pond

Grade: 9

Time length: 2^{+  --} 40 minute periods

Objectives:

Upon completion of this lab the students should be able to

1. gain or enhance experience of using a microscope.

2. observe, compare, and classify various microorganisms.

Vocabulary:

Prokaryote    Unicellular         Cilia            Pseudopod

Eukaryote     Multicellular       Flagella        Protists

Materials:

Microscopes                               

Plastic deep – well slides

protoslo

minipond ecosystem kit:

          algae, protists                                                       

pondmixture:

www.Carolina.com       

          volvox, hydra, planaria                                           

          diatoms, daphnia, unicellular plants                            

review set:

           amoeba, paramecium, euglena

Lesson Development:

(Note: Microscopes and specimen should be set up prior to conducting the activity)

1. Students should work in groups of 2-3 while observing various microorganisms under the microscope. [9-12 Content Standard E: Science and Technology]

1.Have students observe the organisms and complete the worksheet (worksheet A) provided.

     [9-12 Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry]

3. Have the students choose two organisms, draw them and complete the venn diagram (worksheet B) provided to determine their similarities and differences.

4. Have the student work groups complete the discussion questions and share their responses with the class. [Teaching Standard B: Guide and facilitate learning]

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the difference between these organisms and bacterial cells.

2. Which organisms have pseudopodia and what is its purpose?

3. What is the function of cilia and flagella?

4. What advantage/s do the organisms with cilia or flagella have over

     organisms with pseudopods?

5. How do you account for the green color of euglena and volvox?

6. It is believed that the amoeba may be related to the euglena.

         Use your observations of the organisms to support this theory.

7. Which organisms did you compare in the venndiagram? 

7a. Explain what the similarities may suggest about the evolutionary

      relationshipbetween the organisms you chose. [9-12 Content Standard C: Life Science]

Worksheet A - Classification

School Name_____________                                             Student Name__________

Teacher_________________                                             Date_______Class______

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Worksheet B – Venn diagram

              ______________                ________________

                                ^{Name of organism                                             Name of organism}

Extended Activity:

Using the following website as a reference:

www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/ponddip/index.html

Have the students write a summary of 2-3 paragraphs of what they have learned from the activity.

The students must use the vocabulary terms in their writing. 

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