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.