Do you find yourself teaching biology without having a life science background?
It can be very intimidating when something like molecular genetics comes along. It takes more time to prepare a good lesson plan when you don’t have a deep understanding of the subject. Sure, your fellow teachers may give you lesson plans, but do you understand them? Are you sure those lesson plans are the best option, or just a convenient one? I have some suggestions that may help you become a better biology teacher. It takes work, but isn’t that better than feeling out of your element day after day?
Students need biology.
It is a required course in many school districts because students need a rudimentary understanding of life sciences to understand health and environmental issues. The teacher needs to have more than a rudimentary understanding in order to effectively teach this material. That requires the teacher to learn something about biology, if they don’t come from this background.
Stay ahead of the students.
Always be prepared with a trusted lesson plan. Never go into a classroom and try to “wing it.” Students can immediately tell if you aren’t ready to teach. A trusted lesson plan is one you have read ahead of time and you understand how to deliver it. It is also one that comes from a reliable source, and is part of the curriculum for your county. You could ask an experienced and knowledgeable colleague for help, or you could purchase a lesson plan. Make sure that the author has a biological science background (education), and that they have taught before. As you become more comfortable with your subject, you will be able to make your own lessons that are best for you and your students.
Here are some things a teacher without a strong biology background can do to feel more prepared to teach a lesson.
1. Read your textbook. The textbook has basic knowledge that you need BEFORE teaching the lesson. It’s a good place to start.
2. Google anything you don’t understand. Make sure you use reliable sources (.gov, .edu, .org). You can ask colleagues that you know to be experienced and respected biology teachers.
3. Go over your lesson. Are there any questions in the lesson you can’t answer? Use the teacher’s edition, key, or google it with reliable sources. Be prepared.
4. Go over your lesson and try to anticipate what the students will struggle with. You want to be ready to help them. If the lesson is a lab, do the lab yourself beforehand, if possible, to find problematic areas.
5. Don’t improvise…if you don’t know, tell the students that is a good question, and you will have the answer next class. Follow through.
I am a retired biology and AP biology teacher.
I am a retired biology and AP biology teacher. My education is a B.S. in Medical Technology which required a background in biology and chemistry with a year focusing on biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, and microbiology. I have also taken graduate level courses at University of Florida. I worked as a clinical laboratory scientist for 6 years before I taught biology for 21 years. I have been a teacher of the year at my high school, and I have worked as the district science specialist. I have lesson plans on TeachersPayTeachers, and I would be glad to answer any questions you have regarding those lesson plans.
You can find biology lesson plans at my store, Beebe's Biology, on the Teachers Pay Teachers website. There are also free lessons available on the website.
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