BREEF Teacher Training Workshop Lesson Plan

Name Ricardo A. Johnson

Grade Level10-12Time 70 minutes

Lesson Title “Know thy Conch”: The structure and function of the Queen Conch.

Lesson Purpose/Rationale:

To heighten student awareness of the conch upon which the teacher can build in subsequent lessons an appreciation for the value of conch in our marine ecosystem and its need for conservation.

Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify a male and a female conch given live conchs removed from their shells Identify the parts of the conch Describe the function of each part using live conch.

Resources:

10 conchs (living), dissection trays

Conch anatomy diagram

Overhead projector

Transparency of new vocabulary, conch anatomy diagram (labelled and unlabelled)

Conch video presentation

Video player and TV

Handouts- vocabulary, conch anatomy

Individual to crack out conch (remove them from their shell), hammer, knife.

Procedure:

Introduction:

How do conchs reproduce? Sexually or Asexually?

If I displayed a conch could you tell me if it was a male or a female and explain why?

How many of you think you could label all/most of the parts of the conch? Well, here I have 10 live conchs (unveil the conchs in large aquarium) they move and still respond to stimuli (gently poke conch).

Development:

Students are divided into groups of four (4) and given two conchs (male and female) per group. Each group has a leader, scribe, presenter and clean-up person. To test prior knowledge: Groups are asked to attempt to identify the conchs as male (#1) and female (#2) and explain why/how they made their choice. Then name and give the function of as many parts as possible. The results must be written and submitted on a sheet of paper. The group with the most correct answers wins. Before marking/judging group work, students view 6-8 minute video clip on conch anatomy and their functions. Teacher leads a review discussion of parts and function while displaying each term with definition. Students then attempt to identity it on their conchs. Teacher leads discussion by asking questions about common names given to parts and dispels all misconceptions on name and function. Teacher walks around the class asking individuals to identify and describe function. Groups (all group members) then receive blank diagrams of male and female conchs and label each while referring to info shared. Students also have 5-8 minutes to review diagram and functions together. (Teacher marks prior activity) Group competition: Teacher displays a pair of conchs and have group members collectively identify a structure and explain its function. Group with most correct answers wins.

Assessment:

The final group activity in which members identify parts and function will indicate mastery.

All group members are required to get involved.

Students are then given individual conch diagrams to label for grade. Labelling done individually.

Extension Activities: Suggest additional activities for further exploration of the concept.

A crossword puzzle for early finishers Unscramble words from major parts and function of conch Observe living conchs response to stimuli Discuss/reading on how copulation occurs

External Anatomy of the male Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) : in shell

lip

eyestalk

mantle

operculum/claw

spine

proboscis/snout

sensory tentacle

eye

foot

mouth

verge (penis)

© BREEF 2006. Reproducible page

8

7

12

11

10

9

14

13

External Anatomy of the female Queen Conch: (Strombus gigas)—shell off

1

4

5

3

6

2

© BREEF 2006. Reproducible page

mantle

columnar muscle

proboscis/snout

eye

sensory tentacle

anus

foot

mouth

External Anatomy of the female Queen Conch: (Strombus gigas)—shell off

rectum

gut

genital groove

stomach

operculum/claw

kidney

© BREEF 2006. Reproducible page