Expert: Walter Hintz - 2/18/2009

Question
Hello,

I have recently "inherited" a 7th grade biology class. I'm not a biology teacher but since nobody else was willing/availble, I'm *it* for the rest of the academic year.
Our first topic will be respiration, leading into smoking and then other drugs (excluding alcohol, which was covered last semester). Later we will look at cells and then at the brain, the process of learning etc.
I have very good textbooks at my disposal but am a little stumped as to practical experiments, especially those that require no major equipment.
Which low-tech experiments would you recommend, specifically for the first topic (respiration, smoking)?

Thanks,
Anna  

Answer
Hi Anna;
Believe it or not teaching biology to 7th graders is about the easiest thing you can teach.  Why? Because if you do it right it is exciting and by doing it right I mean hands on. A bit of advice first of all. Do not be afraid to admit you do not know the answer to a question.  If you skirt the questions the students will stop asking.  When you get such a question just say "I am not really sure but lets look it up together?
 What equipment do you have?  Do you have a lab room?  Do you have microscopes?  As to the respiratory system  and smoking I know of no good hands on experiment because you cannot really use smoke.  You can try a study  using nicotine. Have the students grow some bean plants. Then  add some tobacco to  water and use it to water the plants when they sprout and measure the growth.  Be sure to water some plants with plain water.
If you will send me your school address I would like to send you a paper I had published a few years back regarding teaching science.
 Meanwhile Google biology lesson plans and you my find some ideas.  Meanwhile write down my e-mail address and keep in touch.  I keep a library of about 100 hands on science stuff
whintz@sbcglobal.net