Cancer Lesson Plan: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures, and Processes
*Click to open and customize your own copy of the Cancer Lesson Plan.
This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Cancer, and supports the standard of illustrating the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.
Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Ask students:
- What do you already know about cancer?
- How do you think this disease happens?
Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE
- Read the description on the Cancer topic page.
- Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
- Have students read one of the four Related Reading articles. Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.
Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS
Students take the Cancer Challenge and Quiz, applying essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.
Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND
Students express what they learned about cancer while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.
- Make-a-Movie: Produce a tutorial that explains how mutations can cause cancer.
- Make-a-Map: Create a concept map sequencing how cancerous tissues form and spread.
- Creative Coding: Code a digital museum exhibit featuring artifacts that represent scientific progress in the detection and treatment of cancer.
More to Explore
Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of cellular division and differentiation with these topics: Cells, Mitosis, Genetics, and DNA.
Teacher Support Resources:
- Pause Point Overview: Video tutorial showing how Pause Points actively engage students to stop, think, and express ideas.
- Learning Activities Modifications: Strategies to meet ELL and other instructional and student needs.
- Learning Activities Support: Resources for best practices using BrainPOP.
