http://www.magistralearning.com/index.htmlInteresting resources for Biology teachersenVinceCopyright 2009 Magistra Learning Co.2010-01-22T13:11:14-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:13:25 -0800VinceNone2010-01-22T13:11:14-08:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/how-a-virus-invades.php#unique-entry-id-33http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/how-a-virus-invades.php#unique-entry-id-33I just discovered a medical illustrator named David Bolinsky who does some amazing animations relating to Biology. I’ll try to continue posting more as I find them, but for now your students might enjoy this:

Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body

]]>VinceNone2009-11-14T16:19:25-08:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/the-last-of-the-bluefin-tuna.php#unique-entry-id-32http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/the-last-of-the-bluefin-tuna.php#unique-entry-id-32This might be worth sharing with your students to convey the importance of conservation:

There is a strong likelihood that someone in this generation will be the last human to eat a bluefin tuna.


]]>VinceNone2009-09-21T13:33:03-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/ramachandran-brain-damage.php#unique-entry-id-31http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/ramachandran-brain-damage.php#unique-entry-id-31I’ve had this video for a while and thought I’d finally share it. It may or may not be classroom-friendly (I use an edited version in my class), but I’m fairly certain you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Vilayanur Ramachandran tells us what brain damage can reveal about the connection between celebral tissue and the mind, using three startling delusions as examples.


]]>VinceNone2009-08-21T13:35:35-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/newt-uses-ribs-as-weapons.php#unique-entry-id-30http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/newt-uses-ribs-as-weapons.php#unique-entry-id-30Here’s a fascinating article about a newt that evolved a novel protection mechanism; it pushes its ribs through its skin and uses them as poisonous barbs. Ouch!

Bizarre newt uses ribs as weapons

]]>VinceNone2009-08-14T15:57:35-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/Cell-transport-slides.php#unique-entry-id-29http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/Cell-transport-slides.php#unique-entry-id-29I’ve added my Cell transport slides (part of the Magistra Biology Course) to the Free Stuff section. I realized I’m not including nearly enough samples, so I thought I’d allow everyone to take a look at them. Enjoy!

]]>VinceNone2009-08-09T00:22:46-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/genetic-drift-telephone.php#unique-entry-id-28http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/genetic-drift-telephone.php#unique-entry-id-28Another activity has been posted in the Free Stuff section. Genetic Drift Telephone simulates the process of genetic drift by playing the popular childhood game Telephone.

I’ve only done it in my class once, but it was pretty fun. You’re welcome to email me if you have any additional suggestions for it.

]]>VinceNone2009-08-01T12:55:00-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/genetics-bingo.php#unique-entry-id-27http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/genetics-bingo.php#unique-entry-id-27Yay, more Free Stuff! Genetics Bingo is another pretty standard activity I’ve recreated. This is a competitive activity in which students are to find classmates with a variety of genetics traits.

I’ve included several different lesson ideas so you can pick one that works best in your classroom.


]]>VinceNone2009-07-30T19:34:49-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/lost-in-translation.php#unique-entry-id-26http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/lost-in-translation.php#unique-entry-id-26Another original worksheet is up in the Free Stuff section. Lost in Translation is a protein synthesis worksheet using a pretty standard approach - I’ve given each codon an English word equivalent and students are required to transcribe and translate DNA segments into plain-English sentences.

I made the answers a bit wacky so students will hopefully have a little fun with it!

]]>VinceNone2009-07-29T17:34:01-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/the-art-of-camouflage.php#unique-entry-id-25http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/the-art-of-camouflage.php#unique-entry-id-25A short video about camouflage, presented by the BBC. There’s some great photos here:

The art of camouflage

Enjoy!

]]>VinceNone2009-07-17T13:12:05-07:00http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/observable-speciation-in-birds.php#unique-entry-id-24http://www.magistralearning.com/blog/files/observable-speciation-in-birds.php#unique-entry-id-24Although evolution is a slow process, sometimes we’re lucky enough to see it as it occurs. This article illustrates a new example of that, and is also great for teaching your students about genetic drift.

“A new study finds that a change in a single gene has sent two closely related bird populations on their way to becoming two distinct species. The study, published in the August issue of the American Naturalist, is one of only a few to investigate the specific genetic changes that drive two populations toward speciation.”

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