Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the reproductive cycle of plants and animals: Students should be able to identify and describe the different processes of reproduction, both asexual and sexual, in plants and animals. This includes the formation of seeds, spores, eggs, embryos, and the involvement of reproductive cells.

2. Differentiate between asexual and sexual reproduction methods: Students should be able to clearly distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the types of organisms that use them.

3. Recognize the importance of reproduction for species perpetuation: Students should understand that reproduction is a vital process for the continuity of life on Earth. They should understand how genetic diversity is maintained and how parental traits are passed on to the next generation.

Secondary Objectives:

• Develop research and information synthesis skills, as students will be encouraged to seek additional information on the topic.

• Stimulate critical, analytical thinking, and argumentation skills, as students will be invited to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different reproduction methods.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Review of previous content: The teacher should start the lesson by reminding students of the basic concepts of cells and heredity, as these are fundamental to understanding the topic of reproduction. The teacher can ask quick questions or show related images to assess students' prior knowledge.

2. Problem situation 1: 'Why do some plants have flowers and others don't?' The teacher can question students about the reason for the existence of different reproduction methods in plants and how these methods are related to the diversity of plant life forms.

3. Problem situation 2: 'Why do humans and most animals have two copies of each gene?' The teacher can introduce the idea of sexual reproduction and how it contributes to genetic variability.

4. Contextualization: The teacher can contextualize the importance of the topic, explaining how reproduction is crucial for species survival and biodiversity maintenance. This can be illustrated with examples of plants and animals at risk of extinction due to habitat loss or climate changes.

5. Capturing students' attention: To spark students' interest, the teacher can share some curiosities, such as the fact that some plants can reproduce without the need for seeds or spores, or that some animal species can change sex during their lifetime. Additionally, the teacher can mention how scientists are studying reproduction in the laboratory to help preserve endangered species.

   • Curiosity 1: 'Did you know that the fern, a plant we normally associate with reproduction by spores, can also reproduce through seeds? This happens when the fern produces spores that germinate and develop directly into small plants, without the need for an intermediary organism, such as a bird or the wind, to disperse the spores.'

   • Curiosity 2: 'And what about the gecko, which can reproduce without a partner? If a female doesn't find a male, she can produce eggs that develop into offspring without the need for fertilization. This process is called parthenogenesis.'

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Classification Activity (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Description: The teacher should divide students into groups of five and provide each group with a set of cards containing images and descriptions of different reproduction methods in plants and animals. The images may include flowers, seeds, spores, eggs, embryos, reproductive cells, etc. The descriptions should explain the reproduction process associated with each image.
   • Steps: Students should classify the images and descriptions into two categories: sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction. They should justify their choices by explaining why each method fits into a specific category. At the end of the activity, each group should present their classifications and justifications to the class.
   • Objective: This activity aims to deepen students' understanding of the different reproduction methods, helping them identify the main characteristics of each and differentiate them.

2. Debate Activity (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Description: The teacher should present two statements to the students, one about asexual reproduction and the other about sexual reproduction. The statements could be, for example, 'Asexual reproduction is more efficient than sexual reproduction because it does not require the production of special reproductive cells' and 'Sexual reproduction is essential for species evolution as it generates genetic variability'.
   • Steps: Students should discuss the statements in their groups and prepare arguments to support or refute each one. They should consider what they have learned about the different reproduction methods, the importance of genetic variability, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
   • Objective: This activity aims to develop students' critical thinking and argumentation skills, as well as deepen their understanding of the importance of reproduction and genetic variability.

3. Research Activity (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Description: The teacher should ask students to research on their phones or tablets an example of an organism that uses a reproduction method that has not been discussed in class. Students should write down the name of the organism, a brief description of the reproduction method, and why they think this method is suitable for that organism.
   • Steps: Students should conduct the research, take notes, and prepare a brief presentation to share what they have learned with the class. This activity can be done at the end of the class or as homework.
   • Objective: This activity aims to stimulate students' curiosity, encourage them to seek information on their own, and deepen their understanding of the different reproduction methods.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should facilitate a group discussion with all students to share the solutions or conclusions found by each group during the activities. Each group will have up to 2 minutes to present their findings and conclusions. The teacher should guide the discussion, highlighting the main points and relating students' findings to the theoretical concepts presented in the lesson.

2. Connection to Theory (2 - 3 minutes): After the presentations, the teacher should summarize the main concepts covered during the lesson, connecting them to the activities carried out. For example, the teacher can highlight how the classification activity helps understand the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction, or how the debate deepens students' understanding of the importance of reproduction for genetic variability and species evolution.

3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they learned during the lesson. To guide this reflection, the teacher can ask questions such as:

   1. 'What was the most important concept you learned today?'
   2. 'What questions do you still have about the topic?'
   3. 'How can you apply what you learned today in your daily life or in other subjects?'

4. Feedback (1 minute): The teacher should encourage students to share their answers with the class if they feel comfortable. The goal is to provide a collaborative learning environment where students can learn from each other and from the teacher. The teacher should provide positive and constructive feedback on students' answers, reinforcing correct concepts and helping to correct any misunderstandings.

5. Lesson Closure (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of the topic and thanking students for their participation and effort. The teacher can also make a brief preview of what will be covered in the next lesson to maintain students' interest and help them prepare for the next session.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Lesson Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should summarize the main points covered during the lesson, recalling the different reproduction methods, the importance of reproduction for species perpetuation, and the distinction between asexual and sexual reproduction. He can also reinforce the learned concepts with practical examples and everyday situations to facilitate students' understanding and retention of the content.

2. Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should explain how the lesson connected theory with practice. He can highlight how the activities carried out helped students apply and deepen theoretical concepts, allowing them to better understand the different reproduction methods and the importance of reproduction for species diversity and evolution.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute): The teacher should suggest additional study materials for students who wish to further deepen the topic. This may include books, articles, documentaries, educational websites, interactive games, among others. For example, the teacher may recommend reading specific chapters in a science book, watching a wildlife documentary that explores different reproduction methods, or playing an online educational game that allows students to 'experience' the different reproduction methods.

4. Subject Relevance (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of the topic for daily life and society. He can explain how knowledge about reproductive processes is crucial for biodiversity conservation, agriculture, medicine, and other areas. Additionally, the teacher can reinforce that understanding reproduction is essential to comprehend species evolution and ecosystem functioning.