Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons

Standards-Based Labs, Assessments,and Discussion Lessons

Martin Shields

Biology Inquiries offers educators a handbook for teaching middle and high school students engaging lessons in the life sciences. Inspired by the national science education standards, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice. With exciting twists on standard biology instruction the author emphasizes active inquiry instead of rote¿memorization.

Biology Inquiries contains innovative ideas developed by biology teacher Martin Shields. This dynamic resource helps teachers introduce standards-based inquiry and constructivist lessons into their classrooms. Some of the book's classroom-tested lessons are inquiry modifications of traditional "cookbook" labs that¿biology teachers will recognize. Biology Inquiries provides a pool of active learning lessons to choose from with valuable tips on how to implement them.

For quick access and easy use, the book is printed in a large 8.5" x 11" lay-flat format for easy photocopying. Biology Inquiries contains lessons that:

• Begin with mysteries, questions, and challenges
• Emphasize evidence, explanations, and justifications
• Focus on common biology misconceptions
• Foster questioning, exploration, scientific skepticism, and reflection
• Guide students to construct understandingfor themselves
• Bridge research-based theory with classroomrealities

"Teaching biology through inquiry takes practice—it does not come easily. This book provides a diverse series of excellent labs and activities that will serve as stepping stones that lead to an inquiry based biology classroom—a place where all students can experience the joy of developing their understanding and appreciation for biology."
—Brad Williamson, biology teacher and former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers