Science Lesson: Asexual Reproduction
Lesson Plan
1 hour 55 minutesGrades6, 7, 8Science
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Written by Mallory Swafford, Greta Stacy
About this lesson
In this lesson, students are introduced to the idea of asexual reproduction, explore different asexual methods, and learn how climate change affects some animals that reproduce asexually. Students learn how young people can make a difference and express themselves by designing a postcard to send to an elected official.
Inquire: Students participate in an introduction activity and learn the term asexual reproduction.
Investigate: Students explore different methods of asexual reproduction and how climate change impacts the reproduction cycles of animals that reproduce asexually.
Inspire: Students watch a video about youth activists and design their postcards to advocate for legislative action to protect the oceans.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught in a middle school science class as part of a unit on heredity and inheritance or as part of a unit on ecology.
- If teaching the lesson in short class periods, it can be broken up in the following way:
- Day 1: Inquire and Investigate until impacts on humans
- Day 2: The rest of Investigate and Inspire
Prerequisites
- Student documents may be printed before the lesson or assigned digitally at the teacher’s preference.
- Learning about the effects of climate change can bring up strong emotions for students. This resource can be used to help educators have these conversations with students.
- Index cards or blank postcards will be needed for the Inspire section. Students will also need colored pencils or something similar to make their designs.
Differentiation
- For more background on asexual reproduction in the Inquire section, students can explore this resource.
- The article in the Investigate section can be read as a class read aloud or independently, instead of as a jigsaw activity.
- Students on the West Coast of North America can participate in citizen science using this resource.
- For a deeper dive into a visual representation of sea stars depleting along the west coast, students can explore this interactive map showing the decline in sea star population along the U.S. western coast.
- Additional reading may include:
- Some students may be hesitant to share their findings with the class. Options for helping reluctant students can include:
- Each student takes a sentence to reduce the public speaking load.
- The group elects a speaker and changes speaker roles throughout the lesson.
- Students may be reluctant to share their feelings with the entire class when participating in the SEL check-in. Options for reluctant students may be:
- Trading emotions boards and speaking on behalf of their partners
- Speaking with a partner instead of the whole group
- Speaking with a small group instead of the whole group
- Having the teacher go over their emotions board to make the class ease into the activity.
From the scientist review
Students can learn about asexual reproduction and how animals that reproduce asexually are affected by climate change in this lesson that has been carefully sourced. Along with presenting evidence of the negative effects of the animal population loss on biodiversity and humans, the lesson asks students to create position statements urging the government to enact laws that will lessen the effects of climate change on the animal population. Using this resource to teach is advised.
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About the teacher writers
Mallory Swafford
Teacher
I graduated in 2014 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale with a zoology degree. I worked in the field of zoology until 2018 when I decided to make the switch to education. I now am certified to teach first through sixth grades in general education. I am endorsed in middle grades science and I expect to finish my master's in high school biology this year. I love teaching science and am excited to work with the Subject to Climate team!
Greta Stacy
Education Specialist
Greta Stacy holds a Bachelor of Chemistry from Smith College, a Master of Teaching from Hamline University, and a Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the University of Limerick. She has nine years of experience teaching chemistry, science, and mathematics for grades 9–12. Greta holds a Minnesota 9–12 Chemistry teaching license, UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Irish Teaching Council registration, and certifications in International Baccalaureate Chemistry and Advanced Placement Biology.
