4FN4 – Science – Tiny Microorganisms

How do FreeNode lessons work?

FreeNodes are instructor-led schooling lessons with a unique approach, granting you the freedom to independently teach using a personalized lesson plan. This autonomy enables you to tailor your lessons to suit students’ individual needs, learning styles, and interests.

To use a FreeNode, read the provided class outline & follow the formatting provided for each class. Make sure to touch on the Theocratic Connection in each class. Follow the outline closely so it is aligned with our main at-home curriculum.

How Do I Use the FreeNode?

Read this lesson plan before class to familiarize yourself with the ideas and concepts you’ll be teaching the students. You may print this page out if you need to use it as a reference point during live classes.

This lesson is a guide, but feel free to expand on the content or decrease/increase what you teach depending on the learning levels of the students in your class or the amount of time you have to cover the material.

Can I show videos in FN classes?

Yes, feel free to include additional material to supplement the class lesson material. Videos, Physical Objects, Games, Activities, etc. are okay to share in live classes.

Videos should have no advertisements or logos and should be viewed by you before showing them to the students to ensure no offensive or questionable content is included.

The video should make up only 1-3 minutes of the live class and should not take the place of instructor-led instruction. Videos should be supplementary only.

How do bookmarks work?

Bookmarks help you keep track of lessons you’re going to teach in future live classes. The bookmarks you see are for all your bookmarked lessons across all grades.

You can bookmark a lesson by visiting the lesson you want to bookmark and clicking the “bookmark” button in the bookmark section.

You can remove a single bookmark by visiting a lesson you’ve bookmarked and clicking the “bookmark” button again to unbookmark it.

You can clear all of your bookmarks by clicking the “clear all bookmarks” button. Be careful, this will erase all of your bookmarks.

Class Lesson Plan

Objectives:

Students will define “microorganisms” and understand that they are tiny living things that are too small to see without a microscope.
Students will identify two types of microorganisms: bacteria and protists.
Students will learn that microorganisms can function as producers and consumers in ecosystems.

Materials:

Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk
Visual aids (pictures of microorganisms under a microscope, if available)
Interactive online resources (optional)

Introduction (5 minutes):

Define “microorganisms” as tiny living things that are too small for us to see without a microscope.
Explain the significance of microorganisms in various ecosystems.

Theocratic Connections:

There are numerous verses in the Bible that speak of Jehovah’s creation and His wisdom in designing all living things, including tiny microorganisms. Psalm 104:24,25 praises God’s works, stating that He made the Earth full of living creatures, both great and small. This scripture can be used to emphasize the significance of even the tiniest microorganisms in Jehovah’s grand design. Explore how microorganisms play vital roles in ecological processes, such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic relationships.

Teaching about tiny microorganisms can be an opportunity to discuss humility and our place in the world as human beings. Just as Psalm 8:3-4 expresses wonder at the heavens and the moon and stars that Jehovah created, it also acknowledges the humble position of humanity in comparison to the vastness of the universe. Similarly, we can learn humility by considering the abundance and diversity of microscopic life that exists all around us, reminding us of our dependence on these tiny organisms for our own well-being.

Activity 1 – Types of Microorganisms (10 minutes):

Introduce two types of microorganisms: bacteria and protists.
Discuss the characteristics and functions of each type in simple terms.

Introduce Bacteria:Explain that bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that exist everywhere – in soil, water, air, and even inside our bodies.
Mention that while some bacteria are harmful and can cause diseases, many others are beneficial and play crucial roles in the ecosystem.
Provide examples of beneficial bacteria, such as those involved in the nitrogen cycle, aiding digestion in our intestines, and producing foods like yogurt and cheese.
Introduce Protists:Describe protists as diverse and mostly single-celled microorganisms that inhabit aquatic environments like ponds, lakes, and oceans.
Highlight that protists include various organisms, such as algae, amoebas, and paramecia.
Explain that some protists are photosynthetic and contribute significantly to oxygen production and the base of aquatic food chains.
Mention that other protists are consumers, feeding on smaller organisms and playing important roles in aquatic food webs.

Activity 2 – Microorganisms as Producers and Consumers (10 minutes):

Explain the roles of microorganisms as producers and consumers in ecosystems.
Discuss how microorganisms can produce their own food through photosynthesis (producers) or obtain energy by consuming other organisms (consumers).

Conclusion (5 minutes):

Recap the main points about microorganisms, including their definition, types (bacteria and protists), and roles as producers and consumers.

Assessment:

Informally assess student participation during class discussions and activities.