Mastering Middle School Science With Hands-On Activities, Labs, & Games! (Year1)

*Q1 SUPPLIES*

Doing the hands-on portion of the labs is not required, however it will definitely make the class more fun for learners! There are usually follow-up activities that ARE required even if the hands-on portion is not done (a lab report, post-lab questions, a nearpod activity, etc.). 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: 

For lesson #1, we will be doing a quick activity in the beginning of class in which we will feel/observe random objects in a bucket/bowl. A parent or sibling should gather 4 random objects from around the house and place them in the bucket, and cover the bucket with a towel so the learner cannot see what is inside. During class we will feel/smell the objects without looking at them and make observations. Don’t peek! 

After lesson #2 students 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
Day 2:
Milk Fat Lab: red/yellow/blue/green food coloring (not gel), few tablespoons of whole milk (low fat milk will do), 6 q-tips, dish soap, small plate


Week 3: 

Day 1: 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.

Day 2: 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.



*Q2 SUPPLIES*


Week 1: 

Foldable: printer paper to print pdf paper, scissors, glue


Week 2: 

Alien Genetics Project: printer paper to print pdf, a coin, colored pencils, drawing paper (printer paper is fine)


Week 3: 

Strawberry DNA Lab: 
3 Strawberries, cutting board, knife, rubbing alcohol, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of water, 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid (for hand-washing dishes), small bowl and small glass, cheesecloth or coffee filter, funnel, resealable plastic sandwich bag, toothpick


Week 4: 

DNA Model Project: We will be creating a 3-D model of DNA. Some learners like to use candy, others like to use origami or other non-edible items (like craft supplies). You will need a longer candy/item to create the “ribbon” part of the DNA, and 4 different colored candies to create the “ladder” part of the DNA. More info will be provided in the week 4 post and you will have 2 weeks to finish the project on your own time. You can start researching ideas online now if you would like. 


Week 5: 

Science Bingo: printer paper to print pdf, coins or other small items to use as “markers” on your bingo card as you play


Week 6: 

3-Domains Cut and Paste activity: printer paper to print pdf, glue, scissors


Week 7: 

Paper, pencil, camera to take pics of items around your home that are related to the lesson


Week 8: 

none