Curriculum Samples
Lesson
- Exploring Fruit
Lesson
- Eggshell Activity
Lesson: American
Flag & Pledge of Allegiance
Lesson:
Tangrams 2
Assessment
Student
Work
Eggshell Activity
Main Points
- Eggs have a structural adaptation that protects them from the environment.
- An egg's material and shape allow it to withstand a lot of pressure (weight) from the correct an angle -- an egg isn't structurally super-strong from all sides, just from top to bottom.
- Many books (or other weights) can
be piled (gently) on top of 4 halved eggshells.
Objectives
By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
- Make a hypothesis on how many textbooks can be piled on top of 4 halved eggshells.
- Make observations on what happens after each book is placed on the eggshells.
- Infer why the eggshell is structured
the way it is.
Materials
- Eggs
- Textbooks
- Masking tape
Lesson Beginning
Review
* What is an adaptation?
* What is a structural adaptation?
* What are the basic needs of animal organisms
Introductory Focus
Tell students that today we will be doing an experiment to find out how many of their science textbooks can be piled on top of 4 eggshell halves.
Purpose
We are doing this for some hands-on experience of how structural adaptations can really help organisms.
Wholeness
All organisms have structural adaptations that help it survive. Even a simple eggshell is formed in the most effective way for its survival.
Lesson Development
Procedures
- Ask: How does a chick get out of its shell?
- Why is it important that a shell be strong, but not too strong?
- Show the students the eggshell halves and ask them to make a hypothesis on how many of their science textbooks could be piled on top without the eggshells breaking. Remind students that I will be placing the books and that it will be done gently.
- Tally the hypotheses' on the board.
- Hand out the observation work sheet and ask students to observe what they see. Effort on the worksheet will be a part of the grade.
- Place as many textbooks as possible on the eggshells.
- After the experiment is over allow
the groups to get together and talk while answering these questions:
* How is the eggshell strong?
* How is it weak?
* Why does an eggshell have this adaptation
Have the students move back to their
desks and answer the final 2 questions on their worksheets.
Lesson Ending
Fulfillment
Have students express anything else they know relating to this topic, or their surprise at the results of our experiment.
Closure
Repeat the wholeness and review the main points.
Homework
If the worksheet is not completed it is homework.
Assessment
This worksheet is graded and will be a small part of their unit assessment. Also how they work in their groups and their participation in class discussions is considered in their overall unit grade.