Lesson Plan
Topic: Protists.
Grade Level: 9th Grade,
Time: One class period (40 minutes).
Instructional Objectives: Introduce students to
he protists: The plant-like protists, animal-like protists and fungus-like
protists. Students will observe these variuos types first hand,
Concepts Addressed: Using observation, students
will be able to identify and classify the various types of protists.
Materials Required: microscope, slides, pipettes,
test-tubes, cover slips, paraffin film, beakers, volvox, paramecium, euglena,
amoeba, paper towels, television monitor,
photo-microscope.
Engagement: Students are aware of the characteristics
of protists from previous lessons. Studentts will be explained what is
expected in the lesson.
Procedure: 1. Students are broken into groups
of four. Each group will go the the lab table.
2. Each table has four microscopes, paper towels, slides, cover slips,
and the specimens (each in a test-tube that is clearly labeled).
3. Each stuent will go to a microscope (start at low power, then work up
to high power). Using the pipette, a sample of the specimen will be placed
on the slide. The coverslip will be placed on the slide.
4. The student will observe the specimen. (Answering the questions in the
worksheet provided).
5. Also, using the photo-microscope--the specimens can be observed on the
televion monitor.
6. After identifying the four protists, clean up can commence.
Key discussion questions:
What is a protist? What color is the euglena? What color is the volvox?
What kind of cells do the protists have? What is the shape of the paramecium?
Closure: Reiterate what was accomplished in the
class. Prepare students for the next lesson.
Assessment: Worksheets can be used to judge the
level of understanding. Also, by interacting with students, the level of
understanding can be obtained.
Extension Activities: Using arts and crafts, students
can design their own protists (working in groups of three) with the structures/parts
of the protist labelled. Students can vary the protists they choose (in
effect, there are different choices).