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Middle School Science (Q1): Fun With Nearpod, Labs, & Projects (Cells & More)

Class
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Stephanie Newton, BSc
Average rating:4.8Number of reviews:(85)
In this fun, interactive class, we will go through Q1 of Middle School Science. Covers life science topics: scientific method, lab reports, plant cells, animal cells, cell cycle, Mitosis, & Meiosis - featuring the "Edible Animal Cell Lab"!

Class experience

US Grade 5 - 8
8 lessons//8 Weeks
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Making Observations/Scientific Method/Lab Reports
Nearpod slides and activities Observation Activity Design your own Mini-Experiment/Lab Report Weekly quiz
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Characteristics of Living Things
Nearpod slides and activities Eye Dilation (homeostasis) Activity Living Things Lab Weekly quiz
 Week 3
Lesson 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
Lesson 4
Animal Cells - Part 1
Nearpod slides and activities Organelle Pictionary Edible Animal Cell Project Weekly quiz
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Plant Cells
Nearpod slides and activities Plant/Animal Cell Foldable Cell Bingo Weekly quiz
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Photosynthesis
Nearpod slides and activities Photosynthesis Storyboard (Comic Strip) Weekly quiz
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Cell Cycle (Mitosis)
Nearpod slides and activities Mitosis Storyboard (Comic Strip) Virtual Onion Root Cell Lab/Lab Report Weekly quiz
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Cell Cycle (Meiosis)
Nearpod slides and activities Meiosis Drawing Weekly quiz
Students will learn various aspects of life science and physical science. Please see the syllabus in the course description for a detailed list of all concepts taught. Learners will be able to list and describe the steps of the scientific method, identify and create a model of both animal and plant cells, understand and describe photosynthesis, and be able to identify the steps of the cell cycle.  After this course learners will be fully prepared to continue on to my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter curriculum if you so choose.
I have a BS degree in Nutrition and Food Science (pre-med track) from Florida State University. After working as a pharmaceutical sales representative, 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 since been an online teacher since 2018. I'm also a "hybrid-homeschool" momma :)
Homework Offered
Homework assignments/projects are optional. See each week in the syllabus for more details.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
During class, learners will be continually assessed for understanding using Nearpod activity slides. Learners have the option of doing projects/assignments after class. I will grade any work that is turned in.
Grades Offered
Contact me if you would like for me to calculate a grade. Because homework is optional, grades will be calculated based on work turned in.
Lecture/discussion/teaching slides are broken up with Nearpod Interactive Slides to keep learners engaged and having fun. Homework is optional. Flexible deadlines.
None
*Q1 SUPPLIES*

Doing the hands-on portion of the labs is not required, however it will definitely make the class more fun for learners! 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: 

Learners will be asked to design and perform a “mini experiment” at home. This does not have to be elaborate and should not require any outside supplies. Often learners like to perform experiments on their pets (for example, using the steps in the scientific method to find out which toy or food their pets prefer). Details will be discussed during class.


Week 2: 

Some things below can be modified. For example, if you don't have a handheld mirror or flashlight, you can go to your bathroom mirror during this activity and use a cell phone flashlight. If you don't have all 4 colors of food coloring, one or two will suffice. If you can't find chicken liver, you can just do the potato portion of the lab.  
Day 1:
Reaction activity: mirror, flashlight
Living Things Lab: chicken liver, potato, hydrogen peroxide, knife, 2 empty water bottles, 2 balloons


Week 3: 

Magic Door Foldable: two sheets of construction paper, card stock, or copy paper (should be two different colors, one can be white), scissors, markers/crayons/colored pencils, pencil.

Show and Tell: Bring 3 items to class from your home - one should be transparent (can see through), one should be translucent (can see light through it but can’t see through it), and one should be opaque (can’t see any light through it).


Week 4: 

drawing paper, colored pencils


Week 5: 

Edible Animal Cell: various foods/candies to create an animal cell model. Some learners choose to bake a cake and use different size candies to represent the different animal cell parts/organelles. Other learners choose to do something simple such as putting various candies or foods on a plate and labeling them to represent the different animal cell parts/organelles. 

Foldable: printer paper (to print pdf), scissors, glue, colored pencils/crayons

Bingo card: printer paper (to print pdf)


Week 6: 

Photosynthesis Storyboard: printer paper (to print pdf), colored pencils; storyboards can also be done digitally on a graphic design program of your choice.


Week 7: 

Cell Division Storyboard: printer paper (to print pdf), colored pencils; storyboards can also be done digitally on a graphic design program of your choice. 


Week 8: 

Meiosis Drawing: printer paper (to print pdf), colored pencils; this pdf can also be uploaded to a graphic design program and done digitally.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Please monitor your learners use of scissors or other tools used during labs/projects. "Sexual reproduction" will be referred to for some content, such as when Meiosis is taught (cell division for sexual reproduction). 

CK12.org: accounts will not be required, reading is optional.

Youtube videos: links will be embedded in Nearpod or the Outschool classroom.

Nearpod: learners do not need to make an account. We will use Nearpod during each class for interactive features.

Google Doc: used to access supply list 

Google Form: used for quizzes
ck12.org, Youtube videos, Nearpod (no accounts need to be created), Google docs, Google Form
Average rating:4.8Number of reviews:(85)
Profile
Hello, welcome to my "classroom" :). My classes are listed below, but first...a little about me! 

I am a certified middle school science teacher and taught for 5 years in the public school classroom. My educational background is in... 
Group Class

$19

weekly or $152 for 8 classes
1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-8 learners per class

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