Mastering Middle School Life Science: Hands-On Activities/Labs/Games! (Q2)
In this activity-based Life Science class, we will learn genetics/Punnett Squares, DNA, classification, plants. DNA Alien Project! This is Q2 of my MS science series, based on 7th grade standards. 5th, 6th, & 8th graders welcome. #academic
Stephanie Newton, BSc
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(110)
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What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. Learners will be assigned homework each week. Homework will involve the following activities: creating foldables, or independent projects. Homework should take no more than 1 hour most weeks. Keep in mind that you are the "administrator" of your learner's homeschool education, so if there are too many assignments given you may modify the amount of homework you require your learner to turn in.Assessment
Learners will be assessed through foldables, independent and class projects, labs, and quizzes. If you wish for me to issue the learner a grade, please let me know when you register for the course.Grading
All work turned in will be given feedback or a grade. Contact me for a cumulative grade.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This is a fun, hands-on, and rigourous 8-week life science course (featuring the DNA Alien Project!) which is made up of pre-recorded lessons, nearpod interactive slides, interaction in the Outschool classroom, and hands-on assignments. This course is Q2 of my 4 flex quarters. All 4 quarters are equal to a full year of 7th grade science standards (but 5th, 6th, and 8th graders are welcome to join, too!). This class can be taken as a stand-alone course (the learners are not required to take all 4 quarters of this curriculum). *Please note that I also have this class available as an ongoing, live class. Course Structure: 1. 1-2 pre-recorded video lessons each week. Lessons and assignments will be uploaded to the classroom each Monday morning at 10am (eastern time). 2. Homework or projects will be assigned in the Outschool Classroom and can be turned in within the classroom, or be sent to me in a private message. 3. Most assignments consist of foldables, labs, educational tech-games, or other fun activities! During the pre-recorded video lessons, I will teach the material using nearpod interactive slides, and any necessary props or other websites. After each lesson an assignment will be given and can be uploaded in the classroom or sent to me in a private message. There will be opportunities for class interaction in the classroom and learners are free to private message me at any time. Class interaction includes: interaction on the slides in Nearpod (learners will have the option to share their contribution with the other learners), responding to discussion prompts in the classroom, and commenting on the projects which are turned in within the Outschool classroom. The workload each week in this class will be the equivalent to a full week in a regular science classroom. However, you are your learner's homeschool "administrator" and are welcome to downsize the workload as you see fit (please communicate to me your plans to do this). There will be a "non-formal", fun quiz each week. Course Syllabus (each week subject to change): Week 1: Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares Nearpod slides and activities Genetic foldable Inspect your family's traits Punnett Square Practice Weekly quiz Week 2: Non-Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares Nearpod activities and slides Alien DNA Project Weekly quiz Week 3: DNA Nearpod activities and slides Strawberry DNA Lab Weekly quiz Week 4: DNA Nearpod slides and activities DNA Escape Room Make a DNA Model Weekly quiz Week 5: DNA Mutations & Cloning Nearpod slides and Activities DNA Bingo Weekly quiz Week 6: Classification of Living Things: Bacteria/Archaea Nearpod slides and activities 3 Domains Cut and Paste Activity Weekly quiz Week 7: Classification of Living Things: Protists and Fungi Nearpod slides and activities Write a Protist Story Pictures of items in your home made from protists/fungi Weekly quiz Week 8: Classification of Living Things: Plant Kingdom Nearpod slides and activities Venn Diagrams Weekly quiz I also have Q1, Q3, and Q4 of this class available (as a FLEX option). As an alternative, I have this 7th grade curriculum available as an ongoing, live class in a separate listing. These are the topics covered in each of my 7th grade curriculum quarter classes: Q1: Scientific Method, Living Things, Light and Matter, Plant/Animal Cells, Organization of Living Things, Photosynthesis, Cell Cycle. Q2: Mendel/Genetics, Punnet Squares, DNA, DNA Mutations, Hybrid Organisms, Classification, Intro to Plants, Photosynthesis. Q3: What is an Animal?, In/Vertebrates, Skeletal System, Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Nervous System, Digestive System. Q4: Rock Cycle, Fossils/Fossil Layer, Plate Tectonics, Clouds, Meteorology, Weather, and Natural Disasters.
Learning Goals
Students will learn various aspects of life science. Please see the syllabus in the course description for a detailed list of all concepts taught. Learners will be able to understand the development of the study of genetics, create an "alien" using a punnet square, label and identify the parts of DNA, understand how mutations occur, understand how organisms are classified, and describe the process of photosynthesis in plants. After this course learners will be fully prepared to continue on to my 3rd and 4th quarter 7th grade curriculum if you so choose.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares
Nearpod slides and activities
Genetic foldable
Inspect your family's traits
Punnett Square Practice
Weekly quiz Lesson 2:
Non-Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares
Nearpod activities and slides
Alien DNA Project
Weekly quiz Lesson 3:
DNA
Nearpod activities and slides
Strawberry DNA Lab
Weekly quiz Lesson 4:
DNA
Nearpod slides and activities
DNA Escape Room
Make a DNA Model
Weekly quiz Other Details
Learning Needs
Lecture/Slides/Discussion is broken up by Nearpod Interactive Slides for improved learner engagement and fun! Flexible deadlines. Homework is optional.
Parental Guidance
Evolution and Creationism will not be taught in this course, however feel free to contact me if you would like for me to share with you the unit materials (slides/worksheets/foldables) on the topic of Evolution, as this is one of the national standards for 7th grade. I am also happy to set up a private tutoring section to walk your child through this unit. I do not have materials on Creationism (Outschool only permits secular topics).
Please monitor your learner's use of scissors.
Supply List
*Q2 SUPPLIES* Doing the hands-on portion of the labs is not required, however it will definitely make the class more fun for learners! There are usually follow-up activities that ARE required even if the hands-on portion is not done (a lab report, post-lab questions, a nearpod activity, etc.). Often you can make substitutions for some items (or only do a portion of the lab) if it is difficult to get some of these items. I usually strive to do labs that only require items commonly found around the home. Turning in your assignments: you can take a picture(s) of your labs/activities and either upload them to the classroom (under the appropriate week’s post), or send it to me privately through Outschool in a message. Week 1: Foldable: printer paper to print pdf paper, scissors, glue Week 2: Alien Genetics Project: printer paper to print pdf, a coin, colored pencils, drawing paper (printer paper is fine) Week 3: Strawberry DNA Lab: 3 Strawberries, cutting board, knife, rubbing alcohol, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of water, 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid (for hand-washing dishes), small bowl and small glass, cheesecloth or coffee filter, funnel, resealable plastic sandwich bag, toothpick Week 4: DNA Model Project: We will be creating a 3-D model of DNA. Some learners like to use candy, others like to use origami or other non-edible items (like craft supplies). You will need a longer candy/item to create the “ribbon” part of the DNA, and 4 different colored candies to create the “ladder” part of the DNA. More info will be provided in the week 4 post and you will have 2 weeks to finish the project on your own time. You can start researching ideas online now if you would like. Week 5: Science Bingo: printer paper to print pdf, coins or other small items to use as “markers” on your bingo card as you play Week 6: 3-Domains Cut and Paste activity: printer paper to print pdf, glue, scissors Week 7: Paper, pencil, camera to take pics of items around your home that are related to the lesson Week 8: none
Joined June, 2020
4.8
110reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Science from The Florida State University
I have a BS degree in Nutrition and Food Science (pre-med track) from Florida State University. I later became a certified middle school science teacher and taught middle school science in the Florida public school system for 5 years. I have been an online teacher for over 2 years. I'm also a "hybrid-homeschool" momma :)Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$15
weekly or $120 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 38 learners
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Ages: 10-14
