The Nonhuman Rights Project - 

  • With persistence and rigor, we're challenging a centuries-old status quo that unjustly sees all nonhuman animals as legal "things" with no rights.


Humane Education Laws By State 

ILLINOIS

Humane Ed Mandate

(105 ILCS 5/27-13.1) Sec. 27-13.1. In every public school there shall be instruction, study and discussion of current problems and needs in the conservation of natural resources, including but not limited to air pollution, water pollution, waste reduction and recycling, the effects of excessive use of pesticides, preservation of wilderness areas, forest management, protection of wildlife and humane care of domestic animals.

Teacher Training/Guidance

Sec. 27-15. Moral and humane education – In institute programs. The superintendent of each region and city shall include once each year moral and humane education in the program of the teachers’ institute which is held under his supervision.

Dissection-Specific Opt-Out

Public Act 91-0771—A school may excuse a student enrolled in a course in which students are ordinarily expected to perform, participate in, or observe dissection who objects for any reason to performing, participating in, or observing that dissection and instead allow the student to complete an alternative project. Discrimination prohibited. A student may not be penalized or discriminated against in any way for refusing to perform, participate in, or observe dissection.

state law, duty to inform students, parents/guardians; alternative provided—must not be punitive

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1016&ChapterID=17

Use of Animals in Science Experiments/Projects

(105 ILCS 5/27-14) Sec. 27-14. Experiments upon animals.
No experiment upon any living animal for the purpose of demonstration in any study shall be made in any public school.


Course Description: Zoology is the branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals. Intro to zoology Prezi

The above image is taken from Champions the Rights of Nature. 

  • Nature is Above Human Courts and Systems of Law


Helpful and interesting sites

Project Coyote - Advocates and Educates about coyotes

Wild Cat Sanctuary


Brain Scoop - Adventures in taxidermy, biology, and natural history.  This is a girl who works for the Field Museum who makes interesting animal videos.  

Animals in Research - Bioethics

The Science Bank alternatives to animal use in science - One of your first homework assignments is to check out this site and tell me what you'd like me to borrow from them.  

Earthworm Experiment

Segmented worms

What is home sweet home to a bug?

The Shape of Life

Animal Evolution Paper- This is an assignment

Virtual Squid dissection


 Ocean Acidification: Is there a problem?

You may share the computers but each person needs to answer the questions.  You will also need to use headphones.  

Clone Lesson- Read and follow the instructions for the following.  

  1. Read the article out of New Scientist titled Brazil aims to clone endangered animals and make a statement about whether or not you agree with cloning to save animal species.  
  2. Cloning- Read and take notes on cloning.
  3. Mimi-  Clone Mimi describing what you do as you go through it.
  4. What are the risks of cloning?- Go through this lesson describing what you do and read. 
  5. Read these articles and re-visit the question in number 1 and write a paragraph explaining your opinion using facts from the articles.  Make sure you compare and contrast the articles; Cloning; can it resurrect extinct species?, First extinct animal clone created14 extinct animals that could be clones
  6.  Now that you know a bit about cloning you need to pick an animal currently on the "to clone" list or an animal that could be cloned, and make an advertisement for or against cloning that animal.  Make sure you research the animal's habitat, mating habits, eating habits etc. to get a full understanding of what you should write about.  The poster should include pictures and facts.  Hint: Go back to #1.  The poster should be neat, colorful, and easy to read.  
Total points for all parts = 50points



_____________________________________________________


Medieval hunting history

History of falconry

Horses in medieval times





 

Week of August 26, 2013

Article on Eating Bugs- Summary and thoughts.  Here is a Ted Talk on the same thing if you were absent.

Insect questions-  You may use the internet as a resource.

Insect Packet questions- 

1.     List 3 ways insects are beneficial to humans.

2.     Define the word entomologist.

3.     What group are insects found in? 

4.     Discuss what taxonomy and scientific names are. 

5.     Tell me in a chart the genus and species of all the insects in the packet.  Add a few facts that you didn’t know to each insect in the chart.  (There are lots in the packet.)

6.     Draw out the 3 ways insects grow from and egg into an adult.

7.     How is a spider not an insect?  What is their class?

Towards the end of the week you were to design an insect trap and test its use.  This will be a full lab write up with data.

September 12-13, 2013

Invertebrate webquest in computer lab

Dough Invertebrates in groups

Cnidarian video 

Cnidarian notes worksheet

Blue World TV


Halloween Webquest to be done on October 29th, 2013

Halloween week assignment- Dress up as and discuss your favorite invertebrate.  

Halloween Scary Invertebrate Assignment

Ape Genius Video- Animal Behavior