Begin the lesson by introducing the fascinating world of cordyceps fungi, also known as the 'zombie fungus'. Discuss their unique parasitic nature and how they manipulate their insect hosts.

Engage students with a short story or video clip about how cordyceps fungi take over the bodies of insects, sparking curiosity and interest.

Explain the life cycle of the cordyceps fungus, including its method of reproduction through spores. Highlight its ecological role and impact on host organisms.

Discuss the use of cordyceps fungi in traditional Chinese medicine and the lack of scientific evidence supporting its medicinal claims.

Facilitate a discussion on the ecological importance of fungi, using examples from the video 'All About Fungi' to illustrate their roles as decomposers and their diverse impacts.

Engage students in a hands-on activity where they classify different types of fungi based on characteristics discussed in class.

Use the 'Organisms in the Schoolyard' assessment to have students explore and classify organisms in their environment, reinforcing the concept of classification.

Assign students to research another type of parasitic fungus and present their findings to the class, focusing on its life cycle and ecological role.

Use the 'Characteristics of Life – Comprehension' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of the basic biological concepts related to fungi.

Conduct a class discussion to reflect on what students have learned about cordyceps fungi and their unique characteristics.

Administer the 'Review – Classification of Organisms' assessment to test students' comprehension of the classification concepts covered in the unit.