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Animal research: A multimedia approach

Students will be working with a partner to research a favorite animal. They will be required to use a wide variety of resources which include multimedia software packages, the Internet, and various books. The students will be looking up general information about their animal, such as its habitat, place on the food chain, size, etc. Ultimately the students will be responsible for presenting the information they have gathered in some form of multimedia presentation. This activity is primarily student-oriented rather than teacher-oriented in that the students will be selecting what animals they want to research and what materials they want to use in creating their report. The teacher will give some basic requirements and guidelines to ensure that students are on task.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)

By Amy Edwards.

The case of the disappearing pitcher plants

This lesson addresses the cause and effect relationship between human interaction and a North Carolina endangered plant species. A role-playing scenario allows students to view the situation from a variety of positions and to collectively arrive at a solution to the problem.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)

By Eddie Hamblin.

Comparative anatomy: A continuum

In groups, students will design a presentation that will trace the development of an organ system through the major phyla of the animal kingdom looking for the relationships between structure and function by documenting adaptations.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Development, Information Skills, and Science)

By Joan Warner and Melissa Thibault.

Interdisciplinary integrated unit on DNA and genetics Part A: Science

The first part of an interdisciplinary week-long unit on DNA and genetics, focusing on science. Parts B and C of the unit focus on math and language arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–9 Information Skills and Science)

By Jane Lentz, Jimmy White, Tori Goldrick, and Marlene Smith.

Resources on the web

Learning Network: New York Times On The Web

The New York Times On The Web's Learning Network offers daily lesson plans, education news, and current events quizzes and daily news summaries for students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: New York Times