Middle School Science (Q2): Fun With Nearpod, Labs, & Projects (Genetics & More)
In this fun, interactive class, we will go through Q2 of Middle School Science. This quarter covers life science topics: genetics (Punnett Squares!), DNA, classification/taxonomy, and plants - featuring the "Alien Genetics Lab"!
Stephanie Newton, BSc
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(110)
Star Educator
What's included
8 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework and projects are optional. Grades/feedback will be provided for any work that is turned in.Assessment
Learners will be assessed for understanding during live meetings using interactive Nearpod activities. Assessment will also be done through optional projects and weekly quizzes.Grading
All work turned in will be issued a grade. Contact me if you wish to have a cumulative grade calculated.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
*THIS CLASS MEETS LIVE BUT IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A SELF-PACED/PRE-RECORDED CLASS* (message me if you can't find the link) **This is a new class but is the exact same format/content as my SEMESTER middle school science class. You can still see the reviews from that class on my profile.** This is a fun, interactive, and rigorous 8-week course which meets once each week! This class can be taken as a stand-alone course (the learners are not required to take all 4 quarters of this curriculum). This course is based on national science standards and includes many hands-on activities. Course Structure: *1 live meeting per week (1 hour, 15 min); part lecture/part interactive slides and labs *Optional 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. We will try to do/start these assignments during class as often as possible. COURSE SYLLABUS: 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. 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 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Non-Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares
Nearpod activities and slides
Alien DNA Project
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
DNA - ATCG
Nearpod activities and slides
Strawberry DNA Lab
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Transcription & Translation DNA/mRNA
Nearpod slides and activities
DNA Escape Room
Make a DNA Model
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Lecture/discussion/teaching slides are broken up with Nearpod Interactive Slides to keep learners engaged and having fun. Homework is optional. Flexible deadlines.
Parental Guidance
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 genetics/punnett squares are taught.
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
Pre-Requisites
none
Joined June, 2020
4.8
110reviews
Star Educator
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. 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 been an online teacher since 2018. I'm also a "hybrid-homeschool" momma :)Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $200 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
75 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-8 learners per class
