Middle School Life Science: Full-Year Interactive Course

Welcome to Year Long Life Science!


In this ongoing course, students will cover all concepts covered in a middle school life science curriculum throughout the entire school year. My goal is to make this science class fun as we investigate key life science concepts and principles to help your learn build confidence in the material. Your learner can expect to learn through pictures, videos, stories, projects, and so much more! 

I teach all classes using 3 key terms: Engage, Encourage, and Empower. I seek to ENGAGE all learners with a high energy classroom with lots of visuals to strengthen retention and encourage participation. I seek to ENCOURAGE all learners through creating a positive environment centered around question and answer time, extend opportunities, and chance to come up with new and different ideas. Lastly, I seek to EMPOWER all learners through giving everyone a chance to think for themselves and guide the discussion in new and fun ways. 

Here is our Fall Schedule 2024: 

*Schedule is for sections that begin the week of August 19th. I do have multiple sections that begin the week of September 2nd. We will start at week 1, but every date in the schedule below will be 2 weeks later.*

Understanding the Cell 
8/19 Week 1: Cell theory and the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
8/26 Week 2: Anatomy of the cell and plant vs. animal cells
9/2 Week 3: Cell membrane and cell transport
9/9 Week 4: Nucleus and homeostasis
9/16 Week 5 Cell design project

Intro to Genetics
9/23 Week 6: Understanding DNA, Chromosomes and Genes
9/30 Week 7: How genes create proteins -> Protein Synthesis. 
10/7 Week 8: Intro to Mendelian Genetics - Understanding the history and beginning experiments. Monohybrid crosses and Pedigrees - Understanding the passing of traits. 
10/14 Week 9: Intro to Molecular Genetics - Understanding chromosomes
10/21 Week 10: Genetics Condition Research and Exploration Project

Microorganisms in Our World
10/28 Week 11: Viruses - Structure, Function and Impact to Human Health
11/4 Week 12: Bacteria - Structure, Function and Impact to Human Health
11/11 Week 13: Protists - Structure, Function and Impact to Human Health
11/18 Week 14: Finding a Cure Project

11/25 Thanksgiving Break

A Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis
12/2 Week 15: Intro to Cell Division - Understanding similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis
12/9 Week 16: Walk through of the steps of mitosis
12/16 Week 17: Investigation of cell differentiation and specialization

12/23: Winter Break 
12/30: Winter Break

Spring Schedule 2025

Powerhouse Processes - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
1/6 Week 1: Intro to Photosynthesis - Reactants and Processes Overview
1/13 Week 2: Deep Dive into Photosynthesis - Processes and Products
1/20Week 3: Intro to Cellular Respiration - Reactants and Aerobic vs. Anaerobic
1/27 Week 4: Deep Dive into Cellular Respiration - Processes and Products
2/3: Week 5: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Visual Diagram Project

Ecology - Studying the world around us
2/10 Week 6: Understanding the environment: Problems, resources and history. 
2/17 Week 7: Ecology: How organisms interact with each other and their habitats. 
2/24 Week 8: Ecology: How organisms interact with each other and their habitats. 
3/3 Week 9: Energy Sources: How humans impact the environment
3/10 Week 10: Energy Sources: How humans impact the environment
3/17 Week 11: Energy Sources Project

Anatomy of the Human Body
3/24 Week 12: Digestive System
3/31 Week 13: Urinary System

4/7: Spring Break 

4/14 Week 14: Skeletal System
4/21 Week 15: Muscular System
4/28 Week 16: Nervous System
5/5 Mid Unit Anatomy and Physiology Project
5/12 Week 17: Endocrine System
5/19 Week 18: Cardiovascular System
5/26 Week 19: Respiratory System
6/2 Week 20: Integumentary System
6/9 Week 21: Immune System
6/16: End of Unit Anatomy and Physiology Project


Here is our summer class schedule: 
Week 1 6/20: Cells - Organelles, Cell Membrane and Nucleus
Week 2 6/27: Microorganisms - Bacteria and Viruses
Week 3 7/4: Genetics - Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits 
Week 4 7/11: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration 
Week 5 7/18: Mitosis and Meiosis
Week 6 7/25: Ecology - Environmental Interactions
Week 7 8/1: Human Body Systems 1
Week 8 8/8: Human Body Systems 2