As someone who has never used MagicSchool, I wanted to try and learn it as many interns and teachers have said it is a pretty useful tool.
Upon signing up, you are shown a video on the latest tool available on the newest update, which is very unique compared to other AI tools. The website is also very student-friendly. The main function I am interested in is a rubric but for the sake of trying it out I did a unit plan generation.
I typed it in the full cs 8.2 because it was the unit I did during my pre-internship and wanted to see what the results were from an AI.
Here are the results:
Unit Plan: Observing Plant and Animal Cells with a Compound Light Microscope
Day 1: Introduction to the Compound Light Microscope
Objective:
Students will identify the parts of a compound light microscope, describe their functions, and demonstrate how to use a microscope correctly and safely.
Suggested Assessment:
Students will complete a labeled diagram of a microscope with descriptions of each part.
Key Points:
- Introduction to the compound light microscope and its importance in biology.
- Identification of parts: eyepiece, objective lenses, stage, light source, diaphragm, base, and arm.
- Discussion of functions for each part.
- Safety protocols for using a microscope.
Standard Addressed:
NGSS MS-LS1-2: “Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.”
Day 2: Preparing Samples of Plant and Animal Cells
Objective:
Students will prepare wet mount slides of plant and animal cells and apply staining techniques when necessary.
Suggested Assessment:
Students will submit their prepared slides for evaluation based on clarity and proper technique.
Key Points:
- Instructions on how to prepare a wet mount slide.
- Explanation of the staining process and when it is necessary.
- Hands-on practice preparing and staining slides of onion cells (plant) and cheek cells (animal).
Standard Addressed:
NGSS MS-LS1-3: “Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for interpretation.”
Day 3: Magnification and Estimating Size of Cells
Objective:
Students will calculate magnification and estimate the size of objects viewed through a microscope.
Suggested Assessment:
Students will complete a worksheet calculating magnification and estimating sizes based on given measurements.
Key Points:
- Explanation of magnification calculation: Total magnification = eyepiece magnification × objective lens magnification.
- Practice calculating magnification for various lenses.
- Introduction to using a ruler or micrometer to estimate cell sizes.
Standard Addressed:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.B.7: “Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in real-world and mathematical problems.”
Day 4: Observing and Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Objective:
Students will use microscopes to observe differences in structure between plant and animal cells and create labeled diagrams of their observations.
Suggested Assessment:
Students will draw and label diagrams of both plant and animal cells observed under the microscope.
Key Points:
- Guided observation of prepared slides of plant and animal cells.
- Discussion of the structural differences: cell wall, chloroplasts, and shape differences.
- Hands-on activity for drawing and labeling diagrams based on observations.
Standard Addressed:
NGSS MS-LS1-4: “Use evidence to support the explanation that cells are the basic unit of life.”
Day 5: Safe Practices and Reflection
Objective:
Students will demonstrate safe practices in handling microscopes and biological materials and reflect on their learning experiences.
Suggested Assessment:
Students will participate in a safety quiz and write a reflection on what they learned about microscopes and cell structures.
Key Points:
- Review of safety protocols when using microscopes and biological materials.
- Discussion of the importance of safety in scientific investigations.
- Reflection activity to summarize learning and personal experiences during the unit.
Standard Addressed:
NGSS MS-ETS1-2: “Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.”
Culminating Activities Suggestions
- Microscope Lab Report: Students will compile their findings into a lab report that includes diagrams, calculations, and reflections on their observations.
- Poster Presentation: Groups of students will create a poster presenting their observations of plant vs. animal cells, including diagrams and key differences.
- Microscopy Quiz Bowl: A fun quiz competition on microscopy facts, functions, and safety protocols to reinforce learning through friendly competition.
Standards Addressed:
- NGSS MS-LS1-2
- NGSS MS-LS1-3
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.B.7
- NGSS MS-LS1-4
- NGSS MS-ETS1-2
Honestly, I wish I had known about it before I did my unit plan by myself because I would’ve loved to incorporate some of these ideas into mine.
This tool can be used to make a teachers job much easier and less time consuming, but it can also provide ideas that’ll make lessons more fun and engaging for students. MagicSchool AI also has the option to elaborate on things but for premium users only, and you can even ask it to provide a lesson plan and tell it what kind of learners your class includes and it will try to provide lessons that’ll be beneficial to those.
I think AI is useful and beneficial to classrooms and teachers, especially new teachers, because experience comes with time, but your first batch of students won’t be able to benefit from your future. With AI, you can find ways to help all your students, even when you’re just starting. To close it off, can I note that some AI are just so buggy, talking to you gramerly!