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College Board AP Central,
January 29th 2003.
Reviewed by: Barbara Grosz
Senior Biology 1 and 2: Student Resource and Activity Manuals 2002
These two soft-back booklets are collections of activities, in worksheet style, designed to help students be independent learners. Each activity includes a short reading and a visual. They are exceptionally well designed to teach and assess understanding at different skill levels. Useful as homework or in class, they can supplement or replace an AP Biology lecture. These manuals have been written jointly for the International Baccalaureate biology course as well as addressing the AP Biology curriculum. Each "unit" includes a list of objectives, textbooks and periodicals, software, videos, and Web sites that support the activities in that category. The Biozone Web site provides links to all of the Internet sites referenced in each activity.
The topic categories in Volume 1 include Skills in Biology, Cell Structure, Cell Membranes and Transport, Chemistry of Life, Cellular Energetics, Molecular Genetics, Genes and Chromosomes, Inheritance, Aspects of Biotechnology, Ecosystems, Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycles, Dynamics of Populations, Practical Ecology, Classification, and Human Impact and Conservation. There are multiple activities in each category, totaling 198 pieces.
The topic categories in Volume 2 include Pathogens and Disease, Defense Against Infectious Disease, Origin and Evolution of Life, Mechanisms for Evolution, Evolution of Humans, Diet and Animal Nutrition, Animal Transport Systems, Gas Exchange in Animals, Homeostasis and Excretion, Reproduction and Development, Nerves/Muscles and Movement, Animal Behavior, Plant Science, and Applied Plant and Animal Science. There are also multiple activities in each category, totaling 227 pieces.
Every unit can reinforce many AP Biology concepts. Each one bears a code that reliably identifies the activity type and skill level. The five activity types cover data handling and/or interpretation, paper practical, research required beyond the information on the activity page, application of knowledge to solve a problem, and knowledge recall from the activity reading. The three skill levels run from answering simple questions to formulations requiring some complex reasoning to very challenging questions requiring integration of several concepts.
The activities in these books are interesting and remarkably efficient. None is longer than two pages. Each contains a brief paragraph and photos and/or drawings. The examples used to present the concepts are very current. In Volume 1, the activity designed to teach the meaning of the term genome provides a drawing of the omegaX174 bacterial virus and the entire base sequence of its genome. In Volume 2, activities related to the six animal systems focus on essential concepts and could be used to create an independent study of the systems. For example, in the Reproduction and Development unit, students learn about reproductive strategies, hormonal control of reproduction in human males and females, animal reproductive anatomy, pregnancy, and human development. For each activity, there are usually four questions that involve handling and interpreting data, applying knowledge, and doing some research beyond the information provided on the activity page. There is great variety within each topic category. Choosing carefully will allow students to learn some concepts independently, freeing up class time.
Volumes 1 and 2 include activities for every topic listed in the AP Biology Course Outline. Unfortunately, all the photos and drawings are in black and white, and none of the activities may be photocopied. The manuals are designed to be workbooks in which students directly record their answers, but they can be purchased as a class set or purchased individually by students. All pages are perforated along the binding margin.
The new 2003 editions of these manuals are now available. The price stated in this review is the total for purchasing BOTH titles (i.e. $15 each).
Link to review: College Board website |