Apologia Biology: Module 1 Introduction

I promised to share our lessons after we finish.  I brought a month's worth of lessons to Co-op because of my pent-up desire to teach.  Was I ready!  First thing we did was to take a walk.  Really!  I had the class identify as many different organisms as possible.  I pointed out a few species, evidence of succession, a wetland area, and an oak grove.  (Our church property is lush!)  the girls went back inside and spent five minutes listing as many species as possible.  After sharing each girl's list, we brainstormed 100 organisms.  (Some of ours are on another page.)  Next, we discussed how to create food webs.  One tip is to create the food web in pencil to be able to make changes.  Another tip is to make each tropic level a different color.  I'll post ours when it's finished.

We set aside the food web to review binomial nomenclature.  Next week, we plan to research the scientific names for our species in the local ecosystem for the food web.  I didn't want to spend the whole morning on one activity.  Next, I placed a number of objects out for the girls to select five a piece.  Then, they had to write detailed descriptions.  Once they finished, we had Sophie get her sister and brothers.  The girls read each description and had the younger children see if they could pick them out.  The purpose is to help the kids see how important it it to make careful notes based on close observations.

Next, we planned the children's book project.  I review books frequently for NSTA and AAAS.  I brought several nonfiction books for the girls to examine.  We determined the rubric or guidelines together.  I like to create rubrics with the kids.  The girls agreed to work together on a book with penguins, polar bears, and pandas.  A few rounds of 'rock, paper, scissors' determined who got to pick first.  Right now, the girls are going to work together.  Part of the homework is to research their respective animals, it's habitat, and interesting facts.

Lastly, we started the watershed project.  Today, we only had time to brainstorm ideas.  Next time, I'll post my plans and follow-up with the results.