Sara Knighton

Quick Lesson Plan #1 - Lecture

Title of activity: Toxicology
Concept covered in activity: Students will receive basic instruction on what toxicology is, how to
identify it in a crime scene, and how to measure toxicity in the body based on the toxin.
Grade level: High school
Standards:
State Standards

National Standards

1.3.C: Predict and calculate the amount of

products produced in a chemical reaction based
on the amount of reactants

HSPS15.

2.3.B: Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based explanation that biomolecules
follow the same rules of chemistry as any other
molecule

Apply scientific principles and

evidence to provide an explanation
about the effects of changing the
temperature or concentration of the
reacting particles on the rate at which
a reaction occurs.

Learning objectives:

Students will be able to define toxicology.

Students will be able to use the factors that affect toxicity in the body to correctly determine
if an individual has been poisoned in a crime.

Materials
Instructional planning: toxicology powerpoint, toxicology project rubric, toxicology worksheet (3
pages)
Procedure/activity
Student Activity
Engage
(7 Minutes)

Write down quote on board, All

substances are poisons: there is none
which is not a poison. The right dose
differentiates a poison and a remedy.
(Paraclesus, 1493-1541)

Teacher Activity
Ask a student to read the quote on
the board. Inform students that
Paraclesus was a Swiss physician.
Ask students whether they agree
with this statement and provide

Explore
(15 minutes)
Explain
(8 minutes)
Elaborate
(15 minutes)

Evaluate
(5 minutes)

Participate in group discussion

evidence for it.

Take notes on the basic principles of

toxicology given the note outline

Lecture on powerpoint, encourage

students to take notes

Separate into groups of 3-4 and fill out

worksheet on toxicology (pages 1-3).

Facilitate among groups and ask

questions to assess student learning

Receive instructions on toxicology

project (5 minutes)

Explain toxicology project (5

minutes)

Pick partners for toxicology project (1

minute)

Extend time for partner selection (1

minute)

Work on project with partner (9

minutes)

Give time to work on project with

partner (9 minutes)

Ticket out the door: Name of toxin,

name of partner, choice of digital format
for presentation. (5 minutes)

Assign ticket out the door, and

homework.

Homework: work on toxicology project

to be presented in the next class

Collect ticket when the bell rings

(5 minutes)

Total time: 50 minutes

Anticipated misconceptions/alternative conceptions

The toxicology of synthetic chemicals is different from that of natural chemicals

Nothing is toxic to the body except for (x, y, z)

Accommodations/modifications

Provide extra time in class for the project

Support students with notes organizer that is complete so they can listen to the lecture

Assessment
Project: Toxin of Your Choice
All substances are poisons. There is none which is not. The right dose differentiates a poison and
remedy.
-Paracelsus, Swiss physician and chemist
Prepare a digital presentation of a poison or toxin of your choice. Be creative in your choice of
poison or toxin and remember; Too much of a good thing can go bad.
Choose one of the following digital formats:
Powtoon: http://www.powtoon.com/
Animoto: http://animoto.com/
Popplet: http://popplet.com/
Wideo: http://wideo.co/
StoryBird: https://storybird.com/

Total- 42 pts.
Due next class
period

Student choice with teacher approval.

Include the following aspects in your digital presentation.
1. Name of the toxin / substance.
2. Description of the substance. (2 pts.)
a. Chemical formula
b. Chemical properties
c. Physical properties (color, smell)
3. Its original source. (2 pts.)
a. Not the products that contain the toxin!
b. Where is the toxin found?
i. Synthetic- man made?
ii. Plant?
iii. Animal?
4. Toxicitya. Based on LD50 (usually mg/kg) (2 pts.)
b. Extreme relatively harmless (2 pts.)
5. Symptoms- presume the presence of the toxin (4 pts.)
6. Detection- medical test that confirms presence of toxin (4 pts.)
7. Cure (2 pts.)
a. How do you treat the overdose? (Anti-venom, time )
8. Lasting effects (2 pts.)
a. Long term issues
b. Concerns that may arise later in life
9. History (2 pts.)

10.
11.
12.
13.

a. How did this toxin develop?

b. Has anyone died from an overdose of this toxin in the past? (someone famous)
Examples of products it is found in(2 pts.)
a. What drugs or products contain this toxin?
Social impact, if any. (2 pts.)
a. Is there a disproportional effect on certain demographics?
b. Is there a first impression associated with this toxin?
Bibliography (Minimum of 3 sources.) (6 pts.)
Other grading criteria (10 pts.)
a. Creativitypictures, animations, OWN WORDS!
b. Neatness font size, appearance (I suggest a total of ~ 10 slides! Spread things out)
c. Color Choicefont easy to read against the background

Notes/Handouts