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High School Biology Semester Lab Class
Abbie Butler
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(619)
Star Educator
This is an 18 week class that will complete various labs, stations and activities that fulfill the labs and activities traditionally performed in a traditional classroom.
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with State-Specific Standards
Get $75 off my class "High School Anatomy and Physiology Semester Lab and Lecture Class" with coupon code BUTLESUMMERENROLL75 until Jul 31, 2024. I'll be away on maternity leave from December 21, 2024- January 26, 2025. During this time I won't be holding any live lesson but flex lessons are still being offered. Classes that start after September 1st may have a brief break already scheduled for holidays and maternity leave. Please check all class times to make sure they fit your schedule...
18 lessons//18 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Scientific MethodScientific thinking and lab report writing description - Heart rate lab. This lab is used to help students to understand what is important in a lab setup, how to think like a scientist, and how to make charts/ bar graphs in google docs. Students can also use Microsoft Office if they have it. The important part is analyzing our data and drawing valid and supported conclusions. supplies- clock/ stopwatch (phone is okay), and a ruler. lab document provided.Week 2Lesson 2Cells and MicroscopesName that cell description- learn about light microscopes. We will discuss the features of a light microscope. Then we will actually be using a handheld digital microscope. We will look at different cell samples, and discuss the characteristics of each cell type. Then we will explore an interactive lab online together. supplies- lab documents will be provided, computer/ipad to type.Week 3Lesson 3DNA and RNAIn this lab we will extract DNA from a fruit, and discuss the characteristics of DNA. We will discuss nucleotides, base pairing principles, hydrogen bonds, replication, semi conservative methods, the scientists involved in the discovery, and a few forms of mutations. supplies- 2 cups, a coffee filter, a fruit such as 2 or 3 strawberries or half a banana or another fruit of choice, a Ziploc bag sandwich size, stirring utensils such as a straw, salt, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol.Week 4Lesson 4Blood Types and Specialized CellsHumans have various blood types- type A, B, AB, O. In this lab we will discuss the factors that determine blood types such as antigens, antibodies, RH factor, coagulation, and the characteristics of blood. supplies- the worksheet I will provide for the virtual lab, OR the blood kit from Amazon link will be provided. The cost is around 7-9 dollars. OR the class can use Milk, red food dye, vinegar and water to create fake blood to run blood typing tests with in little cups or small bowls.Week 5Lesson 5Passive TranportIn this class we learn about the types of passive transport osmosis, diffusion, and facilitated diffusion. We discuss how passive transport does not require energy. Passive transport moves down the concentration gradient from high to low Supplies-- 5 grapes , 5 cups, 5 solutions- tap water, bottled water, grape juice, maple syrup, salt, granulated sugar, tape/paper or masking tape, a marker, a ruler, optional-- a kitchen scale or electronic scale (but the lab can be performed without this).Week 6Lesson 6Active TransportIn this class we learn about the types of active transport, pump transport, and bulk transport (endocytosis and exocytosis). We discuss how active transport requires energy to use. Active transport moves against the concentration gradient going from low to high. supplies-cup, raw egg, vinegar, paper towel corn syrup or an oil, food coloring and water to make colored water, and a spoon. Optional string and ruler, or a kitchen scale. A lab sheet will be provided the week of class.Week 7Lesson 7Passive and Active TransportWe will review both passive and active transport vocab. We will also practice problems to calculate equilibrium, hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions. description- we will review and discuss the results of lab 6 analyzing our data and experiment. As we are going over our experiment and completing our lab sheets. We will set up an overnight lab with gummy bears to model diffusion and osmosis as a comparative. supplies- 3 cups, 3 gummy bears, salt, sugar, and water.Week 8Lesson 8MitosisIn this lab we will model the stages of mitosis by making cookie diagrams or modeling dough. We discuss the sequence of cell division: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. supplies- a form modeling dough or 6 sandwich icing filled cookies, 2 Tablespoons assorted color rod-shaped candy sprinkles, 2 to 3 toothpicks, a butter knife. or you can use modeling dough, or paper and coloring pencils.Week 9Lesson 9MeiosisIn this lab we will model meiosis phases using cookies, icing and sprinkles. We will discuss the importance of each stage, and we will relate the results to the importance of Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis in humans. We will proceeded to look at a virtual activity/simulation modeling meiosis supplies- a form modeling dough or 14 sandwich cookies, Paper Towels, Container of Sprinkles (rod shaped), Scissors, 2 to 3 toothpicks or a butter knife, and icing. Other options modeling dough.Week 10Lesson 10Gene and Chromosomal MutationsStudents “synthesize” a model of DNA using colorful beads and pipe cleaners. They will then “transcribe” this DNA into messenger RNA and then “translate” this into a protein. We will model both point mutations and frameshift mutations. We will then look at a few examples and discuss how to read a codon chart. Finally we will build and compare chromosomal mutations. supplies- 6 pipe cleaners, and a small packet of colored beads that fit the pipe cleaner, or you can use modeling dough.Week 11Lesson 11Probability and Introduction to Punnett Squaresprobability lab description - In this lab we will determine probability by flipping coins and calculating the Hardy Weinberg Equation. We will determine the probability of Monohybrid Crosses and Dihybrid Crosses. We will begin building punnett squares and exploring complete dominance, incomplete dominance, codominance and dihybrid squares. supplies- 2 pennies, 2 nickels, and the lab document will be provided the week of class or you can use a coin simulator.Week 12Lesson 12Punnett Squares and PedigreesIn this lab we will model Punnett Squares and calculate the genotype/phenotype ratios. We will look at various types of Punnett Squares. We will explore the types of inheritance in various pedigrees. We will talk about how to construct pedigrees. supplies- M &M's you will need 4 colors, one color needs to have 16, the rest can have around 8-10. You will be provided the grid sheet for the lab and problems on the lab sheet.Week 13Lesson 13Mechanisms of EvolutionIn this class we will learn the mechanisms of evolution: Natural Selection, non random mating, mutations, gene flow, and genetic drift. We will simulate natural selection in our lab where we pretend to be birds trying to consume various foods. supplies- 3 items-- such as a spoon, toothpicks, chopsticks, clothes clip, chip clip, ice cream scoop, etc. and 3 various shaped and sized foods, a cookie sheet or pan, and 3 cups.Week 14Lesson 14Population Dynamics and SamplingWe will model techniques to calculate population size in this lab. We will explore sector sampling, quadrat sampling, mark and recapture. We will focus on the “mark and capture” technique, in which scientists capture some animals from the population, mark them, and release them. At a later time, the scientists again capture animals from the same population and observe how many of them are marked. supplies- 50 beans, marking pen, plastic container with lid or a bagWeek 15Lesson 15Evidence of EvolutionEvolution: Natural Selection and evidence of evolution activities description- identify, describe, and analyze the four major areas of scientific evidence for evolution, fossil record, embryology, homologous features, and vestigial features. We will be completing an online activity together going through the various evidence of evolution. We will analyze cladograms. supplies- lab sheet provided the week of class. This class is an interactive virtual lab.Week 16Lesson 16Biomes and EcologyThis exercise provides practice in associating climate (as expressed in monthly averages of precipitation and temperature) with biomes. You will also make predictions about the distribution of a biome via altitude and latitude. You will Learn how to read, analyze, and construct climatograms. We will complete an interactive activity assessing your skills and exploring biomes. supplies- climatogram worksheet will be provided. interactive biome map, and virtual biome toursWeek 17Lesson 17Biogeochemical CyclesDiscuss and observe various types of pollution including, air and water pollution. We will build models representing the pollution and the difficulty to reverse the effects. We will discuss the devastation of air, water, soil, plastic pollution and what humans can do to prevent and reduce the effects. We discuss and explore the biogeochemical cycles in this lesson via interactive activities. supplies air pollution lab -- masking or scotch tape 7 index cards Ziploc bags magnifying glassWeek 18Lesson 18Classification and Scientific NamesWe will discuss the taxonomic hierarchy and scientific names. We will discuss angiosperm flower anatomy. We will also discuss common animal and plant classification characteristics. We will practice dichotomous keys and scientific naming. supplies- A flower such as a lily/ petunia/ carnation/ tulip, toothpicks around 8-10, scissors, a magnifying glass or your phone camera. Flower diagram provided. lab 2 jelly beans and worksheet provided for dichotomous keys.
- In this class students will learn in the areas of cells, genetics, evolution, ecology and classification. They will be able to: - Sequence and process the steps of the scientific method. - Use and describe the parts of the light microscope. - Differentiate cells based on key features. - Construct and describe the parts of DNA and RNA. - Differentiate and balance problems for osmosis, Diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport. - Sequence and explain the stages of Mitosis. - Describe the importance of mitosis. - Sequence and explain the stages of meiosis. - Describe the importance of meiosis. - Describe and recognize the types of chromosomal mutations such as insertion, inversion, deletion, duplication and nondisjunction. - Recognize and problem solve gene mutations such as insertion, deletion, and substitution. - Properly pair complementary base pairs in DNA and RNA. - Identify the mechanisms of evolution: Natural Selection, non random mating, mutations, gene flow and genetic drift. - Understand how populations are studied and sampled with various sampling techniques like sector sampling and Mark and Recapture technique. - Analyze and describe evidence of evolution: fossil record, DNA sequences, Cladograms, embryology, homologous features, analogous features, and vestigial structures. - Compare and contrast Biomes with Climatograms. - Sequence and Describe the steps of Biogeochemical Cycles including the water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and phosphorus cycle. - Understand the order of classification levels: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, species. - Understand binomial nomenclature. - Begin to describe key characteristics that help to classify living organisms.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: includedFeedback: includedDetails: Students will have independent homework options. I try to provide both google link and pdf for as many resources as possible. Lab analysis and conclusion is what I suggest as priority for homework. They are welcome to do the other optional worksheets, quizzes, vocabulary, as well. It usually takes around 1 to 3 hours to do homework.Assessment
Frequency: includedDetails: A midterm at 9 weeks and a final at 18 weeks are options. Each week they have options for practice vocab quizzes and/or content quizzes.Grading
Frequency: includedDetails: I grade any lab and other homework options turned in at any time. I provide a midterm after class at week 9 and a final at week 18. The midterm covers the first 9 classes and the final covers the last 9 classes. These are done in quizizz or as a pdf option.
Welcome! I'm excited that you joined this class. Would you please introduce yourself to me and the other learners? And please share any background or questions you have in this topic area. ? ___________________________________ In this course we will complete various labs, activities, and stations that can be used to fulfill the hands on lab requirements for the traditional High School Biology class. The class includes 18 labs and activities. Each class will have an end of lesson ticket where students write a lab report, answer a few questions, or calculate their results. ------------------------------------------------------------- Week 1. Scientific thinking and lab report writing description - Heart rate lab. This lab is used to help students to understand what is important in a lab setup, how to think like a scientist, and how to make charts/ bar graphs in google docs. Students can also use Microsoft Office if they have it. The important part is analyzing our data and drawing valid and supported conclusions. supplies- clock/ stopwatch (phone is okay), and a ruler. I will provide a copy of the lab document the week of class. -------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2 . Name that cell description- learn about light microscopes. We will discuss the features of a light microscope. Then we will actually be using a handheld digital microscope. We will look at different cell samples, and discuss the characteristics of each cell type. Then we will explore an interactive lab online together. supplies- lab document will be provided, computer/ipad to type. -------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 3. DNA Extraction description- DNA is in all living things. In this lab we will extract DNA from a fruit, and discuss the characteristics of DNA. We will discuss nucleotide, base pairing principles, hydrogen bonds, replication, semi conservative methods, the scientists involved in the discovery, and a few forms of mutations. supplies- 2 cups, a coffee filter, a fruit such as 2 or 3 strawberries or half a banana or another fruit of choice, a Ziploc bag sandwich size, stirring utensil such as a straw, salt, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol. You will need at most a 1/2 a cup of water, and 1/2 a cup of rubbing alcohol. -------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 4. name the cell activity and blood typing -- you can choose between a virtual option with me, or you can choose to determine your own blood type with an at home blood type kit. description -- Humans have various blood types- type A, B, AB, O. In this lab we will discuss the factors that determine blood types such as antigens, antibodies, RH factor, coagulation, and the characteristics of blood. supplies- the worksheet I will provide for the virtual lab, OR the blood kit from Amazon link will be provided. The cost is around 7-9 dollars. -------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 5. Cells Alive Lab- Save Gilbert the Grape description-- We cannot work with human blood cells in class, therefore we will work with grapes instead. In this lab you will try to save Gilbert the grape by determining which solution is isotonic to him. Supplies-- 5 grapes , 5 cups, 5 solutions- tap water, bottled water, grape juice, maple syrup, salt, granulated sugar, tape/paper or masking tape, a marker, a ruler, optional-- a kitchen scale or electronic scale (but the lab can be performed without this). -------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 6. Osmosis and diffusion Lab- eggs description- In this lab you will be using an egg with the shell removed, a “naked” egg. The shell-less egg will represent a cell and its selectively permeable membrane. You will remove the shell of the egg by soaking the egg in vinegar. The egg shell is made up of the mineral calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate dissolves in acids such as vinegar. During this process it releases the gas carbon dioxide. After the shell has been dissolved, only the membrane will remain around the egg. Once our membrane remains we will explore the rate of diffusion in a choice of solutions. This is a 3 day lab, day one will be performed together, then we will discuss the characteristics and mechanisms in this lab. Day 2 and 3 are recorded lab lessons students will follow along with. supplies- beaker, raw egg, vinegar, wax paper corn syrup, food coloring and water to make colored water, ruler and string, spoon, masking tape, and paper towels . A lab sheet will be provided the week of class. -------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 7. Osmosis and diffusion lab Gummy Bears and graphic organizer description- we will review and discuss the results of lab 6 analyzing our data and experiment. As we are going over our experiment and completing our lab sheets. We will set up an over night lab with gummy bears to model diffusion and osmosis as a comparative. supplies- 3 cups, 3 gummy bears, salt, sugar, and water. --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 8. Mitosis cookies, description- In this lab we will model the stages of mitosis by making cookie diagrams. We will use Oreo cookies or an off brand that has the cream filling and sprinkles. Then we will look at onion root type cells and count how many of each stage we see. We will discuss the characteristics of mitosis including the composition and purpose. supplies- 6 Oreo Cookies, 2 Tablespoons assorted color rod-shaped candy sprinkles, 2 to 3 toothpicks, a butter knife, and 1-2 paper towels. -------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 9. Meiosis cookies and graphic organizer description- In this lab we will model meiosis phases using cookies, icing and sprinkles. We will discuss the importance of each stage, and we will relate the results to the importance of Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis in humans. We will proceeded to look at a virtual activity/simulation modeling meiosis supplies- 14 Oreo Cookies, Paper Towels, Container of Sprinkles (rod shaped), Scissors, 2 to 3 tooth picks or a butter knife, and icing. --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 10 Genetics: Mutations lab description- Students “synthesize” a model of DNA using colorful beads and pipe cleaners. They will then “transcribe” this DNA into messenger RNA and then “translate” this into a protein. We will model both point mutations and frameshift mutations. We will then look at a few examples and discuss how to read a codon chart to determine if the mutation had a change on the production of the protein or not. supplies- 6 pipe cleaners, and a small packet of colored beads that fit the pipe cleaners. Usually the beads are around 1$ --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 11 Genetics: probability lab description - In this lab we will determine probability by flipping coins and calculating the Hardy Weinberg Equation. We will determine the probability of Monohybrid Crosses and Dihybrid Crosses supplies- 2 pennies, 2 nickels, and the lab document will be provided the week of class --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 12 Genetics modeling Punnett Squares description- In this lab we will model Punnett Squares and calculate the genotype/phenotype ratios. We will look at various types of Punnett Squares. supplies- M &M's you will need 4 colors, one color needs to have 16, the rest can have around 8-10. You will be provided the grid sheet for the lab and problems on the lab sheet. --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ week 13. Evolution: Bird beak lab description- How are bird beaks adapted to the foods they eat? In this lab, we will simulate a scramble competition (kind of like in the old kids' game, "Hungry, hungry hippos") between six species of birds in six different environments. Each bird has a different beak type (spoonbill, tweezerbeak, tongbeak, etc.) and you will find that depending on the food available, some will do better than others in each environment. No two environments are the same and, in our simulation, each one has a different primary food source: stick insects (toothpicks) in the vegetation, water bugs (floating styrofoam peanuts) in the "pond," seeds (popcorn kernels) in the field, worms (cut rubber bands) in the soil, etc. You will choose 6 utensils and 6 items to "try " to eat. supplies- 3 items-- such as a spoon, toothpicks, chopsticks, clothes clip, chip clip, ice cream scoop, etc. and 3 various shaped and sized foods, a cookie sheet or pan, and 3 cups. --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 14 Evolution: Carrying Capacity and population size lab description- We will model techniques to calculate population size in this lab. We will focus on the “mark and capture” technique, in which scientists capture some animals from the population, mark them, and release them. At a later time, the scientists again capture animals from the same population and observe how many of them are marked. The method assumes that the ratio of the actual population to the sample size is the same as the ratio of the number of marked animals to the number marked in the recapture sample supplies- 50 beans or paper cut into squares , marking pen, plastic container with lid -------------------------------------------------------------- Week 15 Evolution: Natural Selection and evidence of evolution activities description- identify, describe, and analyze the four major areas of scientific evidence for evolution. We will be completing an online activity together going thru the various evidences of evolution. We will record our findings and observations on a lab sheet. supplies- lab sheet provided the week of class. This class is an interactive lesson. -------------------------------------------------------------- Week 16: Ecology: Biomes activity, Climatogram analysis, Biome Project description- This exercise provides practice in associating climate (as expressed in monthly averages of precipitation and temperature) with biomes. You will also make predictions about the distribution of a biome via altitude and latitude. You will Learn how to read, analyze, and construct climatograms. We will complete an interactive activity assessing your skills and exploring biomes. supplies- climatogram worksheet will be provided. --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 17 Ecology: Pollution description - Discuss and observe various types of pollution including, air and water pollution. We will build models representing the pollution and the difficulty to reverse the effects. We will discuss the devastation of air, water, soil, plastic pollution and what humans can do to prevent and reduce the effects. supplies air pollution lab -- masking tape 7 index cards petroleum jelly Ziploc bags magnifying glass --------------------------------------------------------------SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HANDS LAB ✋ Week 18. Plant Anatomy dissection description - Before we begin in this lab we will discuss the results of our last lab and analyze where the pollution is most intense. Then we will discuss the effects on plants and animal life. In this lesson we will be discussing flower anatomy and pollination. You will have a diagram and a lab sheet for this lesson. You will need a full bloom flower to dissect. supplies- A flower, toothpicks around 8-10, scissors, a magnifying glass or your phone camera, and a diagram of the flower anatomy will be provided. The lab handout will also be provided. ------------------------------------------------------------- Additional resources will include various online virtual labs and additional labs not complete in class. All lab sheets and documents will be posted the week of class. You have a complete list of the supplies provided here
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
We use a lot of resources in class as a shared screen. The priority sources we use after class is Quizlet, Quizziz, sometimes Youtube.
Joined August, 2018
4.9
619reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Muskingum University
Hello! My name is Abbie Butler. Take a look around and feel free to message me with questions or requests. Note: I'll be away on maternity leave from December 21, 2024- January 26, 2025. During this time I won't be holding any live lesson but...
Reviews
Group Class
$17
weekly or $306 for 18 classes1x per week, 18 weeks
60 min
Completed by 278 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-12 learners per class
