Bridge Over Falling Coins

Ninth grade Algebra teacher Banessa Clark instructs a class at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Ala. Students need to be able to create and use symbolic, graphical, and verbal representations to analyze and understand patterns and functions. In this lesson, students will explore data to determine whether a linear relationship exists and determine whether a constant rate of change exists. Watch the video and download the Bridge Over Falling Coins Lesson Plan.

States of Matter

Sixth grade Physical Science teacher Augustine Moore instructs a class. In this lesson, students will list the three states of matter, distinguish between the three states of matter, describe how atoms move in each state of matter, and construct models of the movement of atoms. Watch the video and download the complete text of the States of Matter Lesson Plan.

Try This! Bellringers

Seventh grade Life Science teacher Pam Weaver discusses her methods for starting class.

Flip N’ Slide

Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra teacher Karita Sullen instructs a class at Wenonah K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala.This lesson will allow students to explore translations, reflections, and rotations.  They will graph and locate points using ordered pairs and understand the concept of symmetry.  Students will predict and describe positions and orientations of two-dimensional shapes after transformations such as reflections, rotations, and translations. After the lesson, students will be able to draw translations, rotations, and reflections on a coordinate plane. Watch the video and download the complete text of the Flip N’ Slide Lesson Plan.

One of SUSME’s Teachers on CNN!

Our very own Jeffrey Willis is featured in this clip from CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 discussing how budget cuts have affected Birmingham’s Phillips Academy.

[Magic City Post]

Shine a Little Light on Me

Seventh grade Life Science teacher Pam Weaver instructs a class at Washington K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala. This lesson should give students multiple opportunities to relate the chloroplast with photosynthesis.  During this lab students will perform a photosynthesis activity with manipulatives, a wet photosynthesis lab activity, view a short photosynthesis video, and view the chloroplasts within an elodea leaf.  This lab should reinforce prior knowledge of chloroplast function.  Watch the video and download the full text of the Photosynthesis Lesson Plan.

Are You Gelling?

High School Biology Teacher Tiffany Goldsmith instructs a class at Parker High School in Birmingham, Ala. This lesson encourages students to use inquiry skills to explain enzyme activity and the enzyme-substrate relationship. Watch the video and download the full text of the Are You Gelling? Lesson Plan.

Law of Segregation – Meiosis

Eighth grade Physical Science teacher Lise Gelatko instructs a class at Huffman Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama. This lesson should give students understanding of Mendel’s Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment.  An understanding of meiosis is also necessary for an understanding of basic genetic principles. Prior to this lesson, students should know: the parts of a cell, differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, DNA (Central Dogma), chromosome structure, mitosis, and the reproductive system. Watch the video and download the full text of the Law of Segregation Lesson Plan.

Chemical Indicators

Tenth and Eleventh Grade Life Science Teacher Tiffany Goldsmith instructs a class at Parker High School in Birmingham, Ala. Students show a general misunderstanding of indicators. This lesson will provide students with an introduction of indicators and their applications. Watch the video and download the complete text of the Chemical Indicators Lesson Plan.

Mentoring Lise

In this mock mentoring session, new Science teacher Lise has difficulty with designing lesson plans.  Mentor Jeffrey observes Lise in the classroom and provides constructive feedback.