Begin with a brief discussion on the diversity of life and introduce bacteria as one of the simplest and oldest organisms on Earth. Highlight their unicellular nature and lack of a nucleus.

Show an image trio of bacteria shapes (rods, spirals, spheres) to visually engage students and set the stage for classification discussions.

Explain the two kingdoms of bacteria: eubacteria and archaebacteria, and their typical environments. Use examples like E. coli and Salmonella to illustrate eubacteria.

Discuss asexual reproduction in bacteria and its implications for rapid population growth. Highlight the process of binary fission.

Watch the video 'Characteristics of Organisms' to understand the basic needs and characteristics of living organisms, including bacteria.

Engage students in a discussion about the beneficial and harmful roles of bacteria in ecosystems, including their impact on human health.

Conduct a simple experiment to observe bacterial growth by culturing bacteria from common surfaces in petri dishes. Discuss safety precautions and the importance of hygiene.

Use microscopes to observe and classify bacteria based on their shapes. Encourage students to draw and label their observations.

Assign the worksheet 'What Are Organisms?' to reinforce understanding of what defines an organism, using examples of bacteria.

Use formative assessment techniques such as quizzes or exit tickets to evaluate students' understanding of bacterial characteristics and classification.

Facilitate a class discussion to review key concepts about bacteria, their reproduction, and their roles in ecosystems. Encourage students to share what they found most interesting.

Assign the 'Reproduction – Comprehension' worksheet to assess understanding of bacterial reproduction and its implications.

Encourage students to research and present on a specific type of bacteria, focusing on its environment, reproduction, and impact on humans or ecosystems.