This class strikes the perfect balance between keeping learning fun and curiosity alive, while also working toward getting middle school learners "high school science ready"! This is an interactive, hands-on, and rigorous ongoing middle school science course which will meet once per week. This course covers the topics found in the 1st semester of a 7th grade science curriculum (however 5th-8th graders are welcome to join and students can "drop in" at any point in the course). I also have a separate, ongoing 2nd-semester-topics course that can be taken before or after this one. Both courses are based on national science standards and include many hands-on, fun activities and labs! I enjoy teaching with humor and as much engagement as possible.  

*Please note that this class is also available as a flex (pre-recorded) option. Contact me for details.

Course Structure:

1.	There will be 1 live meeting per week. There will be periodic breaks for holidays, etc. Learners can join and leave at any point in the course and will only be charged for the weeks enrolled.
2.     Class interaction will occur during live classes (discussion and games) and also within the Outschool Classroom between classes. I want to get to know the learners, and I want them to get to know each other!
3.	Optional homework or projects will be assigned in the Outschool Classroom and can be turned in within the classroom, or they can be sent to me in a private message. Some projects/labs we will do together as a class while others will be done independently. All work turned in will be given feedback and a grade.
4.	Activities will consist of: Nearpod interactive activity slides, projects such as foldables, labs, and other hands-on activities. 


Course Syllabus:


QUARTER 1:  

Week 1 Making Observations/Scientific Method

Nearpod slides and activities
Observation Activity
M&M Lab
Design your own Mini-Experiment/Lab Report
Weekly quiz


Week 2  Characteristics of Living Things
*classes may be held on alternate days this week to accommodate for U.S. Labor Day*

Nearpod slides and activities
Eye Dilation (homeostasis) Activity
Living Things Lab
Lipid Lab
Weekly quiz


Week 3 Light and Matter 

Nearpod slides and activities
Electromagnetic Spectrum Foldable
Show and Tell: 3 objects from your house (opaque, translucent, transparent)
Weekly quiz


Week 4 Animal Cells

Nearpod slides and activies
Organelle Pictionary
Edible Animal Cell Project
Weekly quiz


Week 5 Plant Cells

Nearpod slides and activities
Plant/Animal Cell Foldable
Cell Bingo
Weekly quiz


Week 6 Photosynthesis

Nearpod slides and activities
Photosynthesis Storyboard (Comic Strip)
Weekly quiz


Week 7 Cell Cycle (Mitosis)

Nearpod slides and activities
Mitosis Storyboard (Comic Strip)
Virtual Onion Root Cell Lab/Lab Report
Weekly quiz


Week 8  Cell Cycle (Meiosis)

Nearpod slides and activities
Meiosis Drawing
Weekly quiz



QUARTER 2:

Week 9 Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares

Nearpod slides and activities
Genetic foldable
Inspect your family's traits
Punnett Square Practice
Weekly quiz


Week 10 Non-Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares

Nearpod activities and slides
Alien DNA Project
Weekly quiz


Week 11 DNA 

Nearpod activities and slides
Strawberry DNA Lab
Weekly quiz

Week 12 DNA 

Nearpod slides and activities
DNA Escape Room
Make a DNA Model
Weekly quiz


Week 13 DNA Mutations & Cloning

Nearpod slides and Activities
DNA Bingo
Weekly quiz


Week 14 Classification of Living Things: Bacteria/Archaea

Nearpod slides and activities
3 Domains Cut and Paste Activity
Weekly quiz


Week 15 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 16 Classification of Living Things: Plant Kingdom

Nearpod slides and activities
Venn Diagrams
Weekly quiz



Semester 2 Topics: 
Animal Characteristics, In/Vertebrates, Skeletal System, Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Nervous System, Digestive System, 
Rock Cycle, Fossils/Fossil Layer, Plate Tectonics, Clouds, Meteorology, Weather, and Natural Disasters

I also have my entire 7th grade curriculum available as a self-paced class option (pre-recorded). These are listed as Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 classes. Each quarter is offered year-round.