Differentiation Introduce the terms Large Organic Molecules and Small Organic Molecules with examples. Students will need this information to explain digestion and biosynthesis. Strategic grouping with strong speakers Hand out individual Cow Posters for students to trace molecules that can be written on and kept in the accompaniment of the Penny/Nickel exercise Work on Tracing Atoms and Energy worksheet together and create a pie chart to show what makes up animals from the information students gather Modifications At the end of the activity, have students explain the difference between biosynthesis and digestion to a partner. Have the students “act out” digestion and biosynthesis by assigning them molecules using signs. Have them move around the room to represent the two processes by linking and unlinking hands. Extending the Learning Try using this animation of digestion as a follow up activity. Notice the animation of digestion in the “zoom in” sections: http://kitses.com/animation/swfs/digestion.swf
