Wild Science Camp: Friday! It's a wrap!

Today was about bugs.  Unfortunately, the bee keeper was a no-show.  There's always a little glitch.  At the last minute, one of the moms asked to teach the life cycle of monarch butterflys.  Yes!  We set up eight stations: visors, rubbing plates, Clay leaf impressions, DIY stampers, Bee Hummers, Sound Sandwich, Bean bug mosaic, Dragonfly, and the Monarch butterfly lifecycle.  These stations were supposed to be fillers for the speaker.  Yesterday, after camp, and this morning, I ran over the stations with the teens.  The kids practiced making bee hummers and sound sandwiches, the only stations that are tricky.  Both were big hits!  Marie took on the bean mosaic.  I left instructions and teens at the tables.  Catherine worked with the teen at the bee hummer station until she got the knack of it.  Friday's theme was bugs.  So, the mosaic, rubbing plates, coloring pages, and tattoos were all bugs.  Too bad no bees.  Long experience told me the activities would be over by 11:10--I had the timing almost to the minute.  We extended Snack a little-home-made bread followed by cookies, danced, played outside, and resumed the stations.  Sure enough, around 11:00, some of the kids were getting restless.  The teen boys took the youngest outside for kick ball.  My husband led a big hike.  The kids had as much time as they desired to finish mosaics or bee hummers.  At 11:50, we distributed photos and CD cases to make simple frames, staged clean-up, and sang their favorites one last time.  Not bad.  A crew spent the afternoon cleaning the Hall and setting up for the wrap party.  Food, people, and karaoke!  Now that's a party!  It's a wrap!

Human Anatomy: Ideas

Next summer's science camp is Anatomy Academy and Forensics.  No, I'm not super organized.  I want to have a plan so I can hunt for materials all year.  I thought I would share my Pinterest board with ideas.  We'll fill in with hands-on crafts and activities around our guest speakers.  If the Camp draws a big crowd like this year, we'll break the teams into rotating stations for crowd control.

Wild Science Camp: Thursday

Herb Peddicord, a forester talked to the kids and led a nature hike.  The kids took The egg carton scavenger hunts they made Wednesday outside.  We broke the kids into stations again: Roto copter (which spin like a maple seed), Trae's Boy Scout survival talk, Hannah's photo canvas Art (Just for fun.  The kids used scrapbook paper, paint and stickers to make canvas panel art.), Bernie's rock and gem talk with specimens, Marianna's birdfeeders (cardboard squares coated in Crisco and rolled into bird seed), Eric's toad abode (clay pots painted), Marie's station, Bug Bingo, and Herb's nature walk.  My husband went outside with the groups on their nature hike, leaving the teens to prepare and serve snack.  There are eight or nine adults and a dozen teens.  Today, our numbers were down a bit.  The logistics were smoother.  The kids danced together after Snack. Fun!  We keep adding verses to Pizza Hut and sang the shark song.  Smooth sailing!

Wild Science Camp: Wednesday

Still have about 60 kids.  Thank goodness for the teens!  We divided the kids into teams and rotations.  Heather from the local conservation district brought a ground water model and did a water activity.  I borrowed an Enviroscape model from the local Girl Scout office and went over the presentation with one of the teens.  Megan is already an avid scientist.  She used the model to review watershed principles.  Miss Ellen led The Incredible Journey as a station.  (I have a bin set up as a kit, with the paper dice, beads in containers, and signs.  We use pipe cleaners for bracelets.). Marie brought her telescope and did a constellation activity with the kids.  Marie and Ellen cut out the constellations, backed them with cards tick and had the kids poke holes with push pins.  Lydia and Gaby set up a cloud in a jar station to go with the Cloud charts they made yesterday. (We had extra copies at their station.) Trae and Eric went with Alana from the DEP outside to the creek to study macroinvertebrates.  Always a hit!  The kids spent the morning rotating through the different stations to ensure everyone got to do everything.  It can be tricky to schedule rotations between stations.  We set up five inside to allow enough time for each group to traipse outside to the creek, do a stream assay, and hike back.  Inside, some stations go longer than others.  As part of start-up, the kids worked on paper bag booklets.  One table had copies of a guide to poison ivy, animal tracks, and tree ID for the kids to cut and glue into the paper bag books.  The kids worked on finishing their guide books in between rotations.  (My chief management technique is to keep them busy!)  It was a lively, but productive morning!  Aside fro Kay-Kay's boo-boo and Chelsea throwing up at the creek and inside, things went pretty smoothly.  We added a verse to the Pizza Hut song: A Jabba the Hut, which was also successful.  In previous years, we did more songs.  But the kids have three favorites they like.  Okay!  It's their camp.  Imgur is acting flaky.  I'll load pictures when I have more time.

Wild Science Camp: Tuesday

Today, we started off with shark masks.  Our camp begins at 9:00, with kids arriving as early as 8:00. This mask takes about ten minutes to make.  Perfect!  I keeps several quick activities on hand for spare minutes.  Most of the  kids tend to stream in between 8:55-9:10.  The shark mask gives everyone a little breathing room.  Next is a few songs and cheers.  We added verses to 'Pizza Hut' and took requests.  My friend, Marie, directed an owl pellet dissection.  She did a great job explaining what an owl pellet is!  We passed out bone sorting sheets with the pellets and toothpicks on a paper plate.  The kids worked in pairs.  Even the little ones remained on task for 30 minutes!  We thought the three to five year olds would lose interest quickly.  They loved it!  After we passes out bags for the kids to save their bones.

We ran out of time yesterday to pass out the nature kits.  So, today I passed out UV beads and pipe cleaners to make bracelets, and mini first aide kits with a bandaid, safety pin, and wipe in 35 mm film  cartridges.  The teens had made holes and woven yarn into the film cartridges yesterday.  I handed out  cloth bags to hold their stuff, many of which I sewed on the machine when I made bags for VBS.  I had the kids assemble Art cases from DVD cases.  Last week, my friend, Marge, cut construction paper to the size of the paper liner inside DVD cases.  I had the idea of letting the kids customize them.  Another hit!  I had saved some cases from the last yard sale; but, with 60 kids, I had to order some empty cases to have enough on hand-barely!  It was a hit!  Even the teens wanted to make them!
Look at Beaker!

After grace and snack (just popcorn and lemonade), the kids played outside until Blue Ridge Wildlife Center arrived.  This presentation was a big splurge, $250.  But, it's a nature camp and the kids love animals!  Jennifer brought a snake, turtle, owl, and skunk.  The program was about one hour.  This is the way I want to learn!  When I plan a nature camp, I like to invite local experts.  I passed out owl and raptor silhouettes and explained how they can reduce bird strikes.  The last craft was cutting and pasting Scavenger hunt pictures into egg cartons.  We closed with favorite songs.  We gained kids today-always a good sign that camp is fun.

Wild Science Camp: Monday

Yikes!  Sixty kids! Ordinarily, we have 30 kids and 10-12 teens.  This year there are 50 kids, six adults, and 10 teens.  The teens shoulder the lion's share of the work.  Three girls arrived early and mixed dyes.  Today, the Boy Scouts came and taught knots and did a scavenger hunt.  Fun!  I have guests lined up all week.  Today was all about traditional camp activities: tie dyed shirts, painted hats, camp songs, and cheers.  The kids are clustered into groups.  Each group comes up with a name, cheer, and mascot.  I circulate to help with ideas for cheers.  The kids are always so enthusiastic.  Their cheers need more volume.  The kids seem to like the idea of leading a cheer more than the reality of being center stage.  We sang Pizza Hut and Moose Alpaca.  We have a 4-H chant to the tune of 'We will rock you' that uses nursery rhymes.  We start and conclude with a few songs each day,

Tie-dying is always a mess.  I get it out of the way the first day of camp.  I usually tie-dye because the kids love it!  I bought 100 painter hats on eBay for the kids to paint.  A few of my teen volunteers had painted about 15 in advance for the little ones uninterested in painting.  We have about ten shirts left with the dyes in case someone joins us tomorrow or loses their shirt.  When we dye, we have seven or eight paints set up with water and a mordant.  The kids rubber-band their shirts inside and soak them in buckets with alum for 20 minutes or so.  Our kids painted hats while the t-shirts soaked. Once they've soaked, we dye them outside on the grass.  I have 100 or more grocery bags ready.  We put the t-shirts in double bags to go home.  The dyed t-shirts should sit in the bag for 24 hours before being rinsed in cold water.  Always wash the shirts separately!

Wild Science Camp: Last minute details

After wrapping up VBS, it's time to scramble to set up Wild Science Camp.  I dragged out materials from the kindergarten room I use to stage events.  After Mass, my husband and I organized materials for Monday.  The first day, the focus is on traditional camp activities: tie dye t-shirts, sponge paint caps, assemble guide books, paste pictures on to egg cartons for the scavenger hunt, glue mini clipboards, design the DVD case to use for notes, decorate cloth bags, make team posters, and compose team cheers.  I've made a list of popular songs, such as Moose, Pizza Hut, and Eddie to sing.    Looking for songs?  This site has lyrics and videos with hand motions.  Our kids love these!    Several Boy Sciuts are going to teach the kids trail signs and knots.

I set up long tables in the hall with supplies: markers, glue, newspaper, scissors, brushes, cups, baggies, cotton q-tips, crayons, stickers, loads of paper, pipe cleaners, tape, etc.  you never know what you'll need.  The materials for Monday are separated; the tie dye shirts, rubber bands, mordant, pails, bottles, are all together.  The booklets are in another spot up front with the hats and bags.  The kids can file along and grab materials.  Say a prayer we're ready!

Wild Science Camp 2015

This week at VBS, my friend, John, is teaming with Claudia to teach Prayer.  Claudia mentioned that her husband, Cletus, would like to teach about bees.  Great!  He's available Friday, next week!  Whoop!  Cletus has a bee colony at our Church the kids can visit.  He is bringing a bunch of equipment to show everyone.  Bees are topical; the bee population is in jeopardy.  Bees initiate a lesson on pollinators, perfect for Wild Science!  I know what you're thinking!  Am I offering a program or just inviting guests?  Both!  Our kids might not be able to afford an enrichment camp.  I like to plan camps commensurate to those offered through prep schools.  So, I pack Camp full of hands-on activities, special guests, games, and fun.  Science Camp is also an opportunity to clean out the leftover snacks from VBS!  For years, I've directed science camps for various private schools.  My home-school friends had asked me to lead a camp at St. Leo's several years ago.  Our camp is open to any interested child.  It's a chance to sneak in a little enrichment, something wealthier families take for granted.

Apologia Biology Module #3

Get out the microscope!  Home Training Tools carries all the slides required for Apologia's .biology course.  (Don't forget to see what is available on Shop Good Will and eBay.)  The teens should sketch their observations carefully.  Take time to review the taxonomy.  Dr. Wile includes the life cycle of Plasmodium. 


Now is the time for 'Adopt a Diasease'.  Many diseases are either bacterial, protozoan, or viral, topics explored in Modules 2 and 3.  This is a mini-project in which kids select a disease to profile: photos, scientific description, the epidemiology of the disease, treatment, history, and interesting notes.  Kids present their findings in class.  My students may use any platform for their presentations: slideshow, Prezi, poster, even a case study in a file folder.  You may want a project rubric.  My kids determine the rubric for this project.  I ask them to help decide what the project must include to deserve an 'A'.  I can always add requirements.  Usually, the kids are tougher than I am.  Below is a video of a similar project.  I might have the kids make videos.

Apologia Biology: Module #2

I'm sorting my first lessons for the fall Co-op class now before two weeks of VBS and Wild Science Camp.  Dr. Wile has two Pond Life experiments in Module 2 and another in Module 3.  I love the way he integrates some classification into these modules.  Have you done a stream assay?  Since we're collecting pond samples, you may want to conduct a virtual stream assay online and go outside and assess macroinvertebrates.  Call the local Conservation District to see if there's an education specialist who can go out with your Co-op on a stream field-trip.  The Conservation District can put you in contact with volunteers in your area, such as Trouts Unlimited.  I invited Alana, a scientist with the WV Department of Environmental Protection, to lead a stream assay at Wild Science Camp. (I confess I always invite experts to teach macroinvertebrates, plant identification, and tree ID.)  take loads of pictures and ask your kids to blog about the experience!  One note.  The insect larvae are easier to identify in the fall when they're bigger than early spring.  The bonus of a stream assay is that it's fun for children of all ages.  Teens can take chemical water tests, measure the stream flow, assess the stream bank, too.  The EPA's Stream Habitat Walk will get you started.  Want to do more?  GLOBE has an international project.

Apologia Biology: Module #1

If you've read the earlier blog posts about the first Biology lessons, you'll start to wonder whether or not I ever teach the content!  Our Co-op meets for three hours once a week.  It will be at least two sessions before I begin the material from the Apologia textbook.  I want to lay the groundwork for an inquiry-based class first.  My first class after all of the preliminary lessons is "Is Yeast Alive?" from Brynmawr.  This lab dovetails well with Module #1, "What is Life?"  I'll follow this with characteristics of living things and a MRS GREN worksheet, another tool we'll use off and on this year.

Note that Dr. Wile reviews the scientific method, classification, species, and dichotomous keys.  The Biology Junction's Dichotomous Key of Beans goes with Experiment 1.1.  Experiment 1.2 should be a breeze after the previous microscope activity outlined in the last post!  My Co-op class doesn't replace the textbook.  Students are expected to read their lessons.  I do all of the experiments or equivalent labs in class.  My job is to round things out with loads of hands-on activities which drive home the concepts and make class fun!

Apologia Biology: Skills

Once my kids are grounded in Inquiry, I review skills: lab safety, lab techniques, use of the microscope, names of lab equipment, lab sketches, and preparation of solutions.  I broadcast a safety video, pull sample equipment to name, and spend time learning how to use the microscope correctly, Microscope 101.  At this stage, we aren't learning any content, but are setting the stage for the class for the year.  To break things up, I teach food webs.  I send the kids outside to observe their surroundings for five or ten minutes.  They may take notes.  When we return, we write down as many possible organisms that might live in the vicinity.  Try to generate 50-100.  Include insects, birds, plants, reptiles, and mammals in as much variety as possible.  Instruct the kids to do a little research.  What is the scientific name for each species?  What is its habitat?  What does it eat?  After a quick lesson on food chains and food webs, the kids construct a food web for the locale.  In the process, they also had an introduction to taxonomy and ecology all in the context of creating a food web.  I encourage kids to label the tropic levels and to color code the different tropic levels.  Typically, the list of organisms with their scientific names are on a separate sheet of paper.

Apologia Biology Introduction to Claim Evidence Reasoning

After the kids have gone through Inquiry blocks and the Checks lab, I continue the idea of evidence-based reasoning. (Often scientists use this approach to drum home evolution.  But, my faith is also based on evidence of God's mercy every day!)  Just as Apologetics uses logic, so does science.  This post from Edutopia explains Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER).  This slideshow goes over the basic premise well.  I use the density table and ask kids if any of the liquids are the same.  It generates a good discussion.  It is important to have kids elicit why they think the liquids are the same or different based on the information from the table.  Do you prefer to use a prepared lesson when you try something new?  Clear Biology has one based on statistics designed for Biology students.
Kirsten Milks share a number of resources to develop CERs for AP Biology and includes this BSCS tool for kids to use to organixpze their thoughts.  What I want are examples in the slideshow from Pearson.  If you search the CER Framework, these examples will become familiar.  This NSTA Webinar has some more ideas to try.  Here are examples I plan to use.  Where do I find examples to use with my lessons all year?  Browse the MCAS Questions, particularly the short answer questions.  I don't use CER for all my lessons; instead I add these periodically during the course of the school year to keep the kids sharp.  I also ask kids to explain their reasoning during lab exercises.  Get in the habit of making your kids think!

Update: When you go to the MCAS question search, note that you must select the framework, strand, and topic.  For this question search, I specified science, biology, and ecology to see the questions available.  The site has answer keys, too.  Nice, right?

Apologia Biology: Kick Off!

At the beginning of the school year, I typically introduce inquiry based instruction and skills.  The first day of class, I introduce Inquiry blocks.  I keep a set prepared for class and workshops.  The Checks Activity or Checks Lab is often the second inquiry introduced.  Both introduce 'evidence-based' instruction.  See them in action.

Wild Science Camp 2015

It's nearly down to the wire!  Next week is VBS, followed by Wild Science Camp.  I spent time prepping both today.   Most of the morning was devoted to VBS.  this afternoon, I spent time sorting the camp goods into boxes and categories. I've been hauling materials from home to the staging room at church.  Things were a disaster!

My young helpers refilled glue bottles, colored a poster, and painted caps.  The kids spray painted painter's hats until they ran out.  The first day of Camp the kids are going to assemble kits, tie dye t-shirts, and paint hats.  But some of the little ones won't be able to finish all of that; I like to have some hats completed. The kits include mini duffle bags to hold the first-aid kit and DVD journal.  I anticipate 40-50 kids and order enough materials for about 60-75.  Then, we're prepared for lost items and the teen helpers can make t-shirts and hats to keep, too.  It is important to take time in advance to sort all of the supplies, take inventory, and count hats, t-shirts, and bags.  

Before camp begins, my teen help will make crafts to assess the level of difficulty and amount of time needed to complete each activity.  Fun, fun fun!  You might ask if seeing things in advance diminishes the experience for the kids who help.  It doesn't.  My help likes to browse my supplies to see what's on the agenda.  I have a bunch of special guests and programs planned to save spa few surprises for them, too.

Apologia Biology: Human Biology Ideas and Resources

I'm scoping ideas for my Biology class and next year's science camp, Anadomy Academy and Forensics.  I think a unit on Human Biology or Anatomy and Physiology should be part of an introductory Biology class.  Have you heard of a Flipped Classroom?  Our home-school Co-op adopts this approach for its science classes.  The students are expected to continue to read their texts and answer questions at home.  Khan Academy's Human Biology has instructional videos.  BSCS A Human Approach offers a complete textbook. Pages 21-23 explain how to make a scientific sketch. Activities, such as 'Get a Grip' (p. 37), helps kids explore through hands-on labs. I'll reference loads of BSCS activities.  (Apologia Biology does a much better job conveying a Christian world view, notably lacking in any of the BSCS series.). Another resource for Human Buology is Active Physics: Medicine, particularly the unit on Sound.  Download an App to measure the decibel levels of the music from headphones.  Hearing is a big issue for rockers which may appeal to teens.  Between next summer's camp and Biology this fall, I'll have loads of ideas to share.

Anatomy Academy and Forensics: First Aid at Camp

I know from many years of directing camp that you need at least 100 ideas or activities for a week of camp.  Since next year's theme is Anatomy and Forensics, why not add first aid? I'm planning to invite paramedics, nurses, and doctors.  First aid seems obvious.  Make a first aid kit in a film cannister kids can wear as a lanyard.  (Educational Innovations sells rim canisters.)  I like to invite experts.  We have an active Boy Scout troop which can offer first aid tips, too.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I invite a paramedic with access to an ambulance who demonstrates how to use stretchers to stabilize accident victims.  We might ask the Red Cross to test a class.  Earth Easy has a straight-forward plan for teaching first aid to children, such as going through a first-aid kit together.  The kids could make Emergency Contact Number signs for their fridges at home similar to this one.  If we want to go in the direction of emergency planning, FEMA has an entire curriculum for kids.  It might be fun to demonstrate the contents of an emergency kit.  The video below has kids demonstrate an emergency kit.

Anatomy Academy: What about Forensics

We like to have a plan for the following year's camp well before the current camp even begins.  West Virginia University has a Forensics Club, which does outreach.  I learned about the group when they delivered a program at the public high school in Inwood, WV and have contacted them to see about a program for camp, next year.  We will invite a police officer, too.  The officer can show kids how to take fingerprints and map a crime scene.  Fun!  In addition to taking fingerprints, chromatography is widely used in forensics investigations; kids can try ink chromatography to understand the underlying principles.  The White Powder Lab sets the challenge to sort sugar from salt, baking soda, or cornstarch.  In high school chemistry, the process is called qualitative analysis and typically involves 12-14 unknown white powders.  In a camp setting, with young children, four to six powders suffice.  I start the kids by testing each known.  In other words, the kids use pipets with iodine, water, vinegar, red cabbage juice and test each powder: sugar, table salt, baking soda, corn starch, Epsoms salt, and citric acid.  The kids are instructed to record their observations.  The same six chemicals are labeled in numbered jars or sandwich bags as unknowns.  The kids perform the same tests to determine which powder is which. I am always surprised how much they enjoy this lab.  When I have a young group, I let them experiment with the chemicals, mixing them as they please.

Forensics is a popular tool for chemistry. Clark's Forensics Chem website has links to video, labs, and more.  Our science camps like to keep things fun.  I plan to send the kids outside to chalk bodies as they lie on the black top.  Extreme Parties Made Easy has kids do mug shots at a photo booth!  Genius!  We make simple photo booths by draping a metal clothes rack with a sheet or several yards of fabric and a photo printer nearby.  The site has ideas for props and snacks, too, key properties of a successful camp!  I like to give the kids simple kits, like this green CSI kit, which is perfect!  I'm thinking about using red dye to make DIY blood splatter t-shirts.  I'll have to talk that over with the teens to make sure the idea isn't too gross!

Anatomy Academy and Forensics: Science Camp

Next year, I am vacillating between a Maker Camp or Anatomy Academy with Forensics, which is more in my wheel house.  At least I have taught Biology and Human Anatomy.  What kinds of fun things can you do?  Make pasta skeletons and Edible Anatomy projects are perfect for Start-up.  I first saw these brain patterns at the USA Science and Engineering Fair in D.C.  Kids love them!  They also like to wear human organs made from grocery bags, which fit my criteria for all things cheap and easy to replicate.  We will need human body organs to cut and paste on to paper bag vests.  This bendy straw skeleton is adorable and another terrific intro.  Last time, I did an Anatomy
Academy, I invited several nurses and an EMT with an ambulance.  The EMT demonstrated the stretcher.  Kids never seem to tire of ambulances.  The nurses taught the kids how to listen with a stethoscope and take blood pressure readings.  A doctor visited, too and answered questions.  Another activity is Germs Make Me Sick with glow germs and a UV lamp.  Now, if you invite a police officer and add Forensics your camp will rock!

Wild Science Camp 2015

There are fewer than two weeks before Science Camp. Panic! Every time I worry there won't be enough to do and scour the web for last minute ideas.  Our camp draws forty or more kids each year.  I need easy, fun, cheap ideas. DIY rubbing plates!  I ran across hot glue rubbing plates.  Eureka!  Elmer's glue rubbing plates!  I have a gallon of glue.  I cut up a bunch of cereal boxes I had saved, sketched simple designs, and outlined an ant in glue to dry. This way the kids can draw their own images or use some of mine. If the kids like this activity, they can adapt it to each day's nature theme or just have fun creating plates for the little ones to make crayon rubbings.  In my experience, the kids like some of these simple activities, especially those they can replicate at home.  The sample ant dried in about five hours.  In the photo I used it to test a crayon rub.  Notice that the uneven line of glue just made the form more interesting.  I need to fill up all my bottle of Elmer's glue.

Apologia Biology: Human Biology Lesson Plans

I think Biology should include some anatomy and physiology.  I taught a Human Biology elective for high school which is more fun than an A&P class.   Which topics are included?  I had lessons on multiples, such as fraternal twins from biracial parents. Did you know there was a case of triplets where one was ectopic and successfully delivered?  Separated twins, such as the Jim Twins pose interesting questions about nature versus nurture.  The Biology Project suggests Forensics and Genetics.  And blood testing.  There are blood testing for paternity kits, which we dubbed 'Who's Your Daddy?'  I teach high school!  Home Training Tools has less expensive blood testing kits and forensic kits.  See?  This is too much fun to omit!

Speaking of Forensics, two excellent labs are the Ink Chromatography lab and White Powder Lab.  (This unknown white powder lab is a bit simpler if you haven't tried this before.)  I'm in the middle of planning an anatomy and forensics science camp for next year.  One idea is to make blood splatter t-shirts with red dye.  I think the high school kids would love it!

Apologia: Biology Human Anatomy Resource Ideas

Scour yard sales, thrift stores, and eBay for resources.  Shop Good Will often has Labpaq and Escience kits.  Register and check the shipping!  EBay usually has both Labpaqs and Escience kits, as well as Bob Jones and Apologia kits.  Once in awhile I catch a good deal.  I found this giant anatomy book on Shop Good Wull after losing a series of bids for anatomy models and charts.  The book is so huge, I can either cut images for posters or just open the book, if my class is small.  I love  technology.  But, I bought an overhead projector specifically for the graphing calculator.  There are loads of overhead transparencies available.  Check with your teacher friends at high schools.  Most classrooms have resources, such as transparencies archived in closets.

What is nice to have?  A skeleton, organ models, and anatomy charts, the more detailed the better!  I like to have a few stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs, too.  See if a nurse friend will coach your class in a basic physical assessment and teach the kids how to test blood pressures.  Try to locate different types and compare for accuracy.  Once in awhile, I come across those colorblind test books, another fun lab idea. Oh!  The anatomy coloring books are useful, especially those which require specific colors; it requires some processing.  These are often available used and in expensively on Amazon. What about free posters?  It's a mixed bag. One vintage anatomy poster  would have been perfect, except it is in French.  Get out there and hunt!

Quick update!  Goodwill often has copies of the anatomy book identified above.  Here is my copy.  See?  It's enormous!

Wild Science: Prep

I'm in the final throes of prepping Science Camp, Wild Science.  I have a number of guests lined up: A forester, a conservation specialist, a water expert, another science teacher, and my husband.  I started to assemble materials.  Since, it was just 'Shark Week', I thought I would add fun materials from the Shark Trust, Shark masks, Shark posters, etc.  We like to sing 'Baby Shark', too. Hey, my camp kids are often young!  Another favorite is Tom the Toad and Eddie Koochie .  The first day, we are going to assemble simple kits: cloth bag, clipboard, crayons, pencil, neck kerchief, and notebook. The kids are going to be loaded with guides for their notebooks: poisonous plants, leaves, animal tracks, macroinvetebrates, and clouds.  The first day we'll tie dye and paint hats, and do the owl pellet dissection.  I have hawk and owl silhouettes for the kids to mount on their windows at home to deter bird strikes.  We'll start a nature table outside in the gazebo.  Here's hoping I have enough ideas!

Apologia: Scrapbooks!

I'm brainstorming new ideas for fall.  Academic scrapbooks would dovetail with digital portfolios and overlap with History and Science.  Many of my home-school friends use lapbooks.  I have used this idea for midterm or final review.  I think my kids at Winchester Academy should create both a digital and physical scrapbook for Soar, our current grant project.  I am looking for solutions to 'down' time, projects, say for the morning before Thanksgiving feast or flu season when the class number is halved.  We do outreach with the younger grades, video lessons, and blog.  My kids write grants and then realize their ideas.  But, I am always on the hunt for new ideas.  I  want to collaborate with the art teacher on an optical illusions project.  Maybe science centers for kindergarten?  I work with a flexible, open to new ideas.  I'm going to offer a long list when we reconvene this fall.

Wild Science Summer Camp 2015

July 27-31st is Wild Science Camp at our church, St. Leo's.  This year's theme is Nature.  My friend, Marie, wants to lead an owl pellet dissection, my friend, Herb, the local forester, is coming to do tree identification and Project Learning Tree activities.  I contacted Heather from the Consevation District to share a groundwater model, asked Alana with Environmental Protection to teach how to identify macroinvertebrates, and borrowed an Enviroscape watershed model.  I might have an animal rescue agency come, if they confirm!  We will start with traditional camp activities the kids love: tie dye shirts, spray painted hats, home-made journals, a nature hike, and cloth bags.  The kids will make bird feeders, too.  Check out these ideas on my Pinterest board.

Apologia: Biology Module 16 More Complex Animals

I review books for NSTA and a children's book about octopuses gave me an idea.  I am going to have my kids select an animal and write a nonfiction children's book.  They can start their research with Module 16 and go from there.  I am still planning the rubric but think the assignment should include the scientific name, habitat, facts, etc.  When I plan this sort of project my kids help construct the rubric.  Generally, I take a look at other rubrics to gauge the project.  The kids will do presentations, too.  The material in Module 16 lends itself to student reports.  I would let the kids teach.  Really!  I let the class decide who wants to teach each topic and let them run.  Another technique is to assign topics and have them create blogs, complete with animations, videos, links, etc.  By the end of the year everyone is ready for a chance to be creative.

Apologia: Biology Module 15 Plant Physiology and Reproduction

Modules 14 and 15 may lend themselves better to the fall.  It's your call.  Experiment 15.2 requires a bunch of fruits; fall is the time to collect seeds, nuts, winged fruit, etc. outside.  Module 15 is an opportunity to include technology, if your Co-op can access the equipment.  Transpiration of a Leaf, Photosynthesis, and Primary Productivity use Pasco technology to understand these plant processes.  I bid on many of the Pasco sensors on eBay to assemble a set for my Co-op.  Still unconvinced?  Try this old-school photosynthesis lab.  My kids made this video to try to sell more home-schoolers on technology.

Apologia: Biology Module 14 Plants

Botany can feel flat after Animals.  You might want to move this module to the fall, particularly for the leaf collection.  Experiment 14.2, Leaf Color, lends itself to fall, although, colorful indoor plants or red cabbage leaves can supply the anthocyanins for the lab.  I order red cabbage powder instead of leaves and keep it on hand. I usually extend this lab with some other indicators for fun.  Pull out the microscope and slides!  Require careful sketches.  Demonstrate for the students.  Let's dissect a flower now rather than wait for Experiment 15.1.  See if the florist will donate a few.  Another tip is to ask the local forester or someone from Audubon to lead a hike to identify plants and trees.  The kids can take photos and make note of the common names, research the scientific names, and practice using dichotomous keys in guide books.

Apologia: Biology Module 13 Chordates

In an earlier post, I advised instructors to review vertebrates and invertebrates.  I would go over the features of a vertebrate again.  Finally, we are looking at human anatomy.  Once I start dissections, I usually do the entire set over the course of two weeks.  Our Co-op meets for three hours; the kids may need two or three sessions to complete all seven speciemens.  The frog, rat, and fetal pig are good specimens to prepare for human anatomy.  The kids will learn that kidneys lie along the back and the gastro systems aren't so different from ours.  You may want to complete all of the dissections before beginning Module 13 or allow some overlap.  Your call.  The Biology Corner has packets for the remaining specimens.  After the kids finish their dissections, have them complete the comparative morphology chart with their dissection specimens as representative species using their notes, text, and packets as references.  Through the course of the year, my kids use CER or Claim Evidence Reasoning regularly.  One example is to ask if a sea squirt is a vertebrate and have them apply this process when answering.  I want my students to get in the habit of writing and supporting their findings.

Apologia: Biology Module 12 Arthropods

These Biology posts are a means of reviewing and planning my class for this coming school year with my Co-op class.  Look for posts this fall with more details once class resumes.  Arthropods are part of my animal unit with more comparative morphology and dissections.  De. Wile lists the crayfish dissection as optional.  My kids do a traditional dissection series: earthworm, clam, grasshopper, crayfish, starfish, perch, and frog.  If funds permit, we also dissect a fetal pig.  Home Training Tools Intermediate Kit has seven specimens, lab packets, and tools.  The animal set is very reasonable.  I order lab materials for the school year in the fall in order to divide the costs among the .co-op families.  Three or four children can share each specimen to contain costs.  For this module, I recommend both the crayfish and grasshopper dissections.

Experiment 12.1, Insect Classification pairs well with dichotomous key activities like this classification key or the Alaskan sea life activity, or this classic.  Let me leave you another video!

Apologia: Biology Module 10 Invertebrates

By the time you arrive at this modules, the kids will need a refresher in Taxonomy and an introduction to vertebrates and invertebrates, meaning a slideshow, a tool I use judiciously, generally as an introduction or overview.  Module 11 has some comparative morphology.  Remember MRS GREN?  I have the kids create charts using MRS GREN to compare different animals just before we start to dissect or do more microscope work.  This comparison is more detailed than I require.  I want the kids to look at how the earthworm moves, digests food, etc. in comparison to a grasshopper or fish.  I also believe in dissection packets.  The few times I relied on the textbook were unsuccessful.  The packets force students to take a closer look at their specimens.  The packet doesn't need to be long.  I look for packets which have students look at the specimen's exterior and interior.  Have anatomy manuals, prints, or tablets with dissection photos and diagrams in addition to the textbook.  The more resources the better!

Dissection can be performed with a styrofoam tray, straight pins, and scissors.  Home Training Tools has good prices on dissection materials and specimens.  I bid on dissection kits at Good Will and eBay for my classes.  I have gotten specimens, too!

What about the child who refuses to dissect?  Some children do not like to cut or touch the specimens, but are not ethically opposed to dissection,  I ask them to be scribes and complete each dissection under a partner's supervision.  Those children who feel dissection is a moral issue may do virtual or alternatives to dissection, often with the same packets.  Our group makes these decisions in concert with the families.

Apologia: Biology Module 10 Ecosystems

Biology can be tough unless you learn the vocabulary.  Make a Concept Map of the terms, those in the study guide, highlighted in bold print, and any the child encounters she doesn't understand, such as symbiosis.  A concept map requires understanding of how the terms relate to one another.  Here is an opportunity to insert a bit of technology and use Cmap tools available from IHMC.  To introduce ecology or ecosystems, the kids go outside and look around for five minutes.  When we come inside, we make a list of organisms in the local area.  When they are stumped, we go back outside for another few minutes.  This time they make notes of any organisms they see.  We add to our list.  I try to create a list with 50-100 species including plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, etc.  Next, the kids research their scientific names and eating habits.  We work together to create a sample food web, identify the tropic levels, and explain the arrows.  This example identifies the tropic levels.  My kids use common names for their food webs and color code each tropic level in different colors.  The kids make a separate list of the organisms' common and scientific names.

In Module 10, Dr. Wile reviews several biogeochemical cycles: water, carbon, etc.  The Greenhouse lab is fun and quick.  I am not sure why Dr. Wile chose to add these materials here.  It doesn't hurt to review the Greenhouse Effect.  Global Warming or Climate Change is a topic I teach in AP Environmental Science.  You might enjoy planning a debate on the topic.  My approach is to do a review at this point and focus my efforts on Ecology.

Apologia: Biology Module 9: Evolution

Here is where you can recover some time.  Evolution is tricky.  Personally, I like the Big Bang theory.  God spoke and bang it happened.  The national Biology societies dictate that Evolution must be pounded into every child without any consideration for his faith.  My suggestion is that the child read this unit, become familiar with the concepts, and move on!  Even devote Christians have dramatically different beliefs when it comes to evolution.  Moving on to Module 10!

Apologia: Module 8 Genetics

I was exploring Thingiverse and located this updated version of Dragon Genetics.  Take a look!

Last year, I taught  Life Science class and collected a box of genetics activities.  So who is Gregor Mendal and what about these peas?  Start with a slideshow or two.  Go over the terms: dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, phenotype, Punnett Squares, mono hybrid and di hybrid crosses, and Pedigrees.  All of the terms in the study guide are key to sorting Genetics.  Ordinarily, I am not a fan of worksheets.  Here I make exceptions.  The Heredity Simulation involves craft sticks and helps kids understand genotype and phenotype.  An Inventory of Traits is another workshop useful to drive home the terms and employs human traits.  Wrinkled, green and yellow peas are not as interesting as tongue-rolling and dimples.  Besides, the kids are very interested in their own traits, hence the number of selfies.

I am not a fan of Sponge Bob, either.  This lab, okay, worksheet, uses Sponge Bob to explain the difference between heterozygous and homozygous traits and has Punnett Square problems.  Kids love The Create a Baby Lab or Baby Lab.  This is a lengthy activity which drives home the relationship between genotype and traits.  By this time, the kids should be ready for this Penny Lab.  I know, I know!  My worksheets are really activities or labs.  True!  These Punnett Square pages , WS,  Answer Key are worksheets, which I do use for reinforcement, practice, or quizzes.  If your child struggles with the Punnett Squares, use an answer key to help her make the connection.  I supply answer keys for my students to check after they complete several problems to see if they are making connections.
Getting overwhelmed?  Don't!  Plan in advance that the .genetics module will require a significant amount of time.  One last idea, Pasta Genetics.  Look!  Khan Academy teaches Punnett Squares!

Apologia: Biology Module 7 Cellular Reproduction

I like biochemistry and molecular science.  (In fact, I like teaching Chemistry.). Unfortunately, many kids stumble with biochemistry and DNA.  So, make hands-on models!  Build the molecules!  Make them with paper, paper clips, plastic beads, whatever!  Watch videos and invest the time to understand these molecular processes.  First of all, these are cellular processes and can fell like they take place in some black box.

I divide and conquer.  Start by clarifying what DNA is in terms of being the source for all of our genetic traits (aside from mitochondrial DNA.)  Make sure you get mitosis and meiosis.  What is the cell cycle?  Surprise, surprise, I think you should do some hands-on activities.  This Module has a DNA extraction.  Yes!  Buy fresh meat tenderizer.  I make this lab more inquiry based by including ethanol and rubbing alcohol, chilled and at room temperature.  We experiment with different detergents, too: Tide, soft soap, Dawn, Joy, shampoo, etc.  Try different salts, if available to see the difference.  Some kids want to extract DNA from strawberries, bananas, onions, etc.  Pulverized split peas work well and are cheap, so the kids can repeat their trials.  And here's another POGIL: DNA Structure and Replication!

To teach mitosis and meiosis, I start with plastic Petrie dishes, red yarn, and chalk.  I instruct the kids to use their books to draw and label each stage of mitosis and meiosis.  The kids cut and place the yarn inside the Petrie dishes at each stage.  With these structures as models, we can discuss what is happening and just what is splitting, the chromosomes in a cell, either to make a copy or to form gametes.  Afterwards, the kids look at Allium and Whitefish blastula slides under the microscope.

A mitosis flipbook and Meiosis flipbook are tools to help kids understand the stages.  Two flipbook a may be too much!  Two may prove too many!  Does your child like to draw?  One last suggestion is Sock Mitosis, which I tried once when my kids were younger and I had a basket of unsorted socks available.  Do you want your kids to dig deeper and understand mitosis in terms of the cell cycle?
POGIL's Mitosis exercise is the tool.  POGIL activities, such as Meiosis are much more than ordinary worksheets.  Try it!