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Introduction to Biology and Chemistry for Middle School
Adrianne Hays, BA, CCLS
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(772)
Star Educator
In this 15 week course, we will learn about basic concepts of biology and chemistry building a base for future learning.
Class Experience
In this 15 week class, we will learn the basic concepts of both biology and chemistry. My classes are interactive and hands-on! Each week we will build on what we learned the week before. I will use google slides presentations, short videos, class discussion, hands-on activities and Kahoot games to teach about each topic. I consistently involve students in class discussions by asking review questions. I love seeing students have "lightbulb" moments in class when they understand topics and can...
15 lessons//15 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1What is a biology? What is a cell? What does prokaryotic and eukaryotic mean?We will learn about what we will study in biology. We will also learn the difference between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).Week 2Lesson 2Plant cellsWe will learn the structure and function of the organelles in a plant cell. The function of chloroplasts and how photosynthesis works. We will make a play-doh or clay cell.Week 3Lesson 3Animal cellsWe will learn the structure and function of organelles in an animal cell. We will make a Play-doh or clay cell.Week 4Lesson 4What is Mitosis and Meiosis?We will use gummy worms to represent chromosomes and help students understand cell division.Week 5Lesson 5History of the discovery of DNA and its structure.We will learn about the discovery of DNA and its structure. We will build DNA using Candy (twizzlers and gumdrops)Week 6Lesson 6What is an ecosystem? Niche? Biotic vs Abiotic factors.We will learn about the characteristics of an ecosystem and the biotic and abiotic factors. We will learn about what a niche is.Week 7Lesson 7Animal Classification, Vertebrates vs Invertebrates characteristics.We will learn about Carl Linnaeus and the taxonomy of living things. We will also learn specifically about how to classify vertebrates and invertebrates.Week 8Lesson 8What is chemistry? History of the periodic table, what is an atom?We will learn about the periodic table, structure of an atom and its particles.Week 9Lesson 9Molecules vs. Compounds. Different types of chemical bonds, covalent vs. ionic.We will learn about molecules and compounds and how atoms bond together.Week 10Lesson 10Properties of H2O water, cohesion and adhesionWe will learn about the properties of water (blooming flower activity - handouts, cookie sheet and water)Week 11Lesson 11States of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate)How do the states of matter change from one to another? We will make Oobleck - a Non-Newtonian substance.Week 12Lesson 12Freezing point and boiling point of different substances.How does salt change the freezing point of water? Make ice cream in a bag.Week 13Lesson 13Physical vs. Chemical ReactionsWe will learn about the difference between physical and chemical reactions. We will blow up a balloon using science.Week 14Lesson 14Endothermic vs Exothermic reactionsWe will learn about endothermic and exothermic reactions.Week 15Lesson 15Review everything we learned, Final student presentationsStudents will choose a famous biologist or chemist and present about their life and work. We will play a final Kahoot game.
- Students will learn biology and chemistry basics to prepare them for high school science classes.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: includedFeedback: includedDetails: Weekly quizzes and handouts.
Week 1 - Handouts and writing utensil
Week 2 - Play-doh or clay, handouts provided
Week 3 - Play-doh or clay, handout provided
Week 4 - Gummy worms (you will need 4), 4 pieces of white paper or paper plate, marker
Week 5 - Candy DNA project. Twizzlers (represent the backbone consisting of sugars and phosphates)
toothpicks, Soft Candy like gumdrops (Something that comes in 4 colors but is all the same type of candy to represent the A, T, C, G nucleotides)
Week 6 - handouts provided
Week 7 - handouts provided
Week 8 - atom project, cardstock or small posterboard and objects of 3 different colors like buttons/stickers/beads
Week 9 - gumdrops (5 different colors) and 10-12 toothpicks
Week 10 - blooming flower activity - handouts, cookie sheet and water
Week 11 - Oobleck, bowl, spoon cornstarch and water, food coloring optional
Week 12 - Make ice cream in a bag.
(measuring spoons, measuring cup, sugar, half and half, milk or heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt (table salt or rock salt), ice cubes, small sealable ziploc bags (2), gallon ziploc bags (2), small towel or oven mitts, timer/clock
Week 13 - blow up a balloon with science - need empty water bottle,
vinegar, baking soda, 2 balloons, funnel or paper to make a funnel
Week 14 - (elephant toothpaste - A clean 12 or 16-oz plastic water bottle,
1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast.
3 Tablespoons of warm water.
Liquid dishwashing soap.
Food coloring optional
Week 15 - Final presentations (outline handouts provided)In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
We will use Kahoot in class to review. Students do not need an account to play.
DK Super Simple Chemistry, DK Super Simple Biology
Joined November, 2020
5.0
772reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! My name is Adrianne Hays. I am currently a homeschooling mom of two kids. We have been homeschooling for 10 years. Before teaching on outschool, I spent 5 years teaching math and science to preschool and elementary school students through...
Reviews
Group Class
$16
weekly or $240 for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 31 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-15
4-16 learners per class
