I would like to bring to your attention a new STEM science teaching blog resource that focuses on biology core concepts. Entitled “As Many Exceptions As Rules” this blog has proven to be a useful teaching tool in the short time it has been available.
As Many Exceptions As Rules tells the stories of organisms that break nature's "rules" in order to survive and thrive. Evolution provides strategies common to descendents, but some organisms just have to go their own way. Each story includes classroom activities or links to more information, questions for discussion and terminology with its derivation. The resource is designed to increase student engagement and educator content knowledge.
To increase student engagement in this field, I reinforce core concepts in biology using fascinating examples of organisms that do not follow established biological rules. Through these exceptions, knowledge of core concepts are redefined and strengthened without focusing exclusively on the overused examples and mundane teaching patterns. A more detailed rationale for the form of the blog is given in the initial post. Each story is explained in plain English, with definitions and etymology of important terms. Teaching resources, including classroom activities and laboratories are included in each post.