Fungi - Parasitic Fungi

Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife

Molds, Mushrooms & Other Fungi by Steve Parker
Fungi by Jenny Tesar

Discussion:
Fungi as parasite on plant, animal, and person

Activity:
Remember that time you had ringworm?
Check your feet for athlete's foot
Go outside and see if there are any plants with mold on them

Fungi - Edible Varieties

Edible Fungi: Giant Puffball

Molds, Mushrooms & Other Fungi by Steve Parker
Fungi by Jenny Tesar

Discussion:
Types of fungi we cook - morels, truffles, mushrooms
Yeast in beer and bread

Activity:
Bake two kinds of bread - yeast and baking soda/baking powder.  What is difference?
Make sourdough "starter" - why is it different from store-bought yeast?
Smell a yeast beer - does it smell like bread?  Why?

Fungi - Toxic Fungi

Family Eats Backyard Poisonous Mushrooms and Gets Violently Ill

Molds, Mushrooms & Other Fungi by Steve Parker
Fungi by Jenny Tesar

Discussion:
Types of deadly fungi
Where deadly fungi appear
Rotten food

Activity:
Picture study - deadly fungi

Fungi - Habitats

Fungi - Part Two
The Decomposition of McDonald's Burgers and Fries

Molds, Mushrooms & Other Fungi by Steve Parker
Fungi by Jenny Tesar

Discussion:
Types of conditions fungi live in
Places and times you often see fungi

Activity:
Get some bread and a piece of fruit.  Put them in a plastic container and leave them in a dark, warm place.  (Check in a few days to see if mold is growing).
If it's rained, see if you can find some fungi growing in the garden or on trees

Fungi - Overview

National Geographic - Kingdom of the Forest - Fungi
Fungi

Molds, Mushrooms & Other Fungi by Steve Parker
Fungi by Jenny Tesar

Discussion:
Why fungi are in their own kingdom
How fungi feed
How fungi reproduce
Parts of a fungus
Legends and tales about fungi

Activity:
Draw a picture with different kinds of fungi and the places they live in