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Life's Big Vocabulary

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Lesson Plan

Life's Big Vocabulary

Students will learn and define four key biology terms—spontaneous generation, biogenesis, biosphere, and adaptation—using simple language and visuals. By lesson end, they will match each term to its definition and use one term in a sentence.

Building scientific vocabulary with clear visuals and straightforward language supports comprehension for students with IEPs, boosting confidence and foundational understanding for future science lessons.

Audience

Middle School Students with IEPs (Small Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Visual supports with simple language and interactive matching

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Engage & Introduce

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain today’s goal: learn four new biology words
  • Activate prior knowledge: ask if anyone has heard of "adaptation" or "biosphere"
  • Show title slide of Life's Big Vocabulary Slide Deck with all four terms listed

Step 2

Define & Visualize

10 minutes

  • For each term, display one slide with a picture and simple definition:
    • Spontaneous Generation: life appearing from non-living things
    • Biogenesis: life comes from existing life
    • Biosphere: all places on Earth where life exists
    • Adaptation: a trait that helps a living thing survive
  • Read each definition aloud and point to visuals
  • Check understanding: ask one student to restate each definition in their own words

Step 3

Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Life's Big Vocabulary Worksheet
  • Complete the first two matching activities together:
    • Match term to picture
    • Match term to definition
  • Use think-aloud: model how to eliminate wrong answers
  • Offer sentence starters for the first fill-in-the-blank (e.g., "An example of adaptation is…")

Step 4

Independent Practice & Review

5 minutes

  • Students finish remaining worksheet items:
    • Fill in a sentence using one term
  • Circulate to offer support and affirmation
  • Conclude by having each student share one term and its meaning
  • Provide positive feedback and correct gently as needed
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Slide Deck

Life's Big Vocabulary

Four vocabulary words
Introduction to key biology vocabulary

Today we'll learn four biology words:
• Spontaneous Generation
• Biogenesis
• Biosphere
• Adaptation

Welcome students and explain today’s goal: learn four new biology words. Activate prior knowledge by asking if anyone has heard of 'adaptation' or 'biosphere.' Then introduce the terms listed.

Spontaneous Generation

Mold growing on bread
Mold growing on bread

Definition:
Life appearing from non-living things.

Read the definition aloud and point to the image. Then ask a student to restate in their own words.

Biogenesis

Chick hatching from an egg
Chick hatching from an egg

Definition:
Life comes from existing life.

Explain that new life (like a chick) comes from existing life. Read the definition, then ask a student to give another example of biogenesis.

Biosphere

Earth showing forests, oceans, deserts
Earth showing forests, oceans, and deserts

Definition:
All places on Earth where life exists.

Point to the land, ocean, and forests in the image. Emphasize that the biosphere is everywhere life can be found. Ask for examples of places in the biosphere.

Adaptation

Chameleon blending into a leaf
Chameleon blending into a leaf

Definition:
A trait that helps a living thing survive.

Discuss how the chameleon’s color change helps it hide from predators. Read the definition, then invite students to name other adaptations they know.

Summary

Collage of four images representing each term
Review of all four concepts

Let's review the four words:

• Spontaneous Generation: life from non-living things
• Biogenesis: life from existing life
• Biosphere: all places on Earth where life exists
• Adaptation: a trait that helps living things survive

Great job learning new vocabulary!

Review each term and prompt students to match words to definitions aloud. Offer praise and correct gently as needed. Prepare for the worksheet activity next.

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Worksheet

Life's Big Vocabulary Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ____________

1. Match the Term to the Picture

Look at the pictures below and write the correct word next to each number.

  1. Mold growing on bread
    Mold growing on bread

    Term: ___________________________

  2. Chick hatching from an egg
    Chick hatching from an egg

    Term: ___________________________

  3. Earth showing forests, oceans, deserts
    Earth showing forests, oceans, and deserts

    Term: ___________________________

  4. Chameleon blending into a leaf
    Chameleon blending into a leaf

    Term: ___________________________

Terms to use: Spontaneous Generation, Biogenesis, Biosphere, Adaptation

2. Match the Term to Its Definition

Write the letter of the correct definition next to each term.

Spontaneous Generation ____ (A) A trait that helps a living thing survive.

Biogenesis ____ (B) Life coming from non-living things.

Biosphere ____ (C) Life coming from other living things.

Adaptation ____ (D) All places on Earth where life exists.

3. Fill in the Blank

Use one of the vocabulary words above to complete the sentence.

An example of adaptation is __________________________________________________.



4. Your Own Sentence

Choose one word from today’s lesson and write your own sentence using it.







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