Teacher’sGuideUnderstandingViruses-Discovery.pdfVIP

Understanding: Viruses: Teacher’s Guide Grade Level: 9-12 Curriculum Focus: Microscopic World Lesson Duration: Two class periods Program Description Even as you read this, your body may be under attack from a virus. This enemy is patient, adaptable, potentially deadly, and invisible. Viruses range from the common cold to HIV and have caused epidemics more destructive than war. This program includes one feature and four short segments: • Discovering Viruses (9 min.) • Pandemic! (9 min.) • Old Virus, New Virus (19 min.) • Viruses: Foes and Friends? (6 min.) • Fighting Disease (7 min.) Onscreen Questions • How do viruses reproduce? • How did World War I contribute to the influenza pandemic of 1918? • Why is it important for virologists to study life forms in tropical rain forests? • How might viruses be used to cure some genetic diseases? Lesson Plan Student Objectives • Discover the functions of a virus. • Research and devise a helpful genetically engineered virus. • Describe environmental safeguards of the new virus. Understanding: Viruses: Teacher’s Guide 2 Materials • Understanding: Viruses video and VCR, or DVD and DVD player • Computer with Internet access • Print and Internet resources on viruses and on local weeds Procedures 1. Review what students know about viruses. A good way to do this is by viewing the Understanding: Viruses video. Be sure they understand that viruses occur in plants as well as animals. You could cite the tobacco mosaic virus, which kills tobacco plants. 2. Tell students their task includes suggesting a useful purpose for a virus. To do that, they need to understand how viruses work. 3. Have students use library and Internet resources to add to their knowledge about viruses. They should