Human Biology:Biomolecules

Anna and I built the biomolecules last week for this POGIL (key) activity.  Today, we are working through the POGIL packet.  We build the molecules.  For example, Anna took the glucose and fructose molecules and combined the two into sucrose and alanine and cysteine to form a dipeptide.  POGIL uses charts or models to answer the questions.  It helps to build and manipulate the molecules themselves to understand the process.  Sucrose and dipeptides form with the removal of one water molecule.  This is dehydration synthesis.  As we work, I point out hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups,, amines, etc.  Biochemistry is a tough subject.  POGIL allows for a gentler introduction.  Use molecule model kits!

Apologia Chemistry: Reactions Lab Report

Update: Andrew provides another sample report.

The materials that one needs to gather for this lab are seven test tubes, one test tube rack, one small beaker, one test tube holder, one piece of sandpaper, one Bunsen burner flame, three wooden splints, one iron nail, one small piece of copper, one piece of magnesium, three pieces of calcium metal, one solution of Ammonium carbonate, one solution of Barium nitrate, one solution of Silver nitrate, one solution of hydrochloric acid, one solution of Hydrogen peroxide, one solution of Copper II chloride, one piece of solid Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate, one piece of solid MnO2, 40 mL of distilled water, and a bottle of PHTH, and baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).

I had Lacie, one of my students rewrite the lab instructions for the Chemical Reactions lab using the third person, present tense, active voice, indicative mood.  Just below is her report.  It took about 45 minutes with minor corrections.  Before she began, I gave her prompts: one places, the student adds, she mixes, he heats, etc.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Purpose:  To perform chemical reactions which represent five general types

1.      For the first experiment the student cleans an iron nail with sandpaper until the nail is shiny. The student puts the clean nail into a test tube and cover the nail with Copper II Chloride solution. The solution remains there for the rest of the period.

2.      Secondly the student cleans a small piece of copper metal with sandpaper. The student places the copper metal into a small test tube and the student puts one squirt of the Silver nitrate solution. The solution remains for the rest of the period.  

3.      For the third experiment the student pours ten ml of Hydrogen Peroxide solution into a test tube. The student adds a solid sample about the size of a pea of MnO₂ to the Peroxide; one stirs and observes. (Do not touch the black powder) The student tests the gas produced with a glowing wooden splint. MnO₂ is a catalyst.

4.      For the fourth experiment the student puts a small scoop of solid sodium bicarbonate into a dry test tube. The student uses a test tube holder to gently heat the test tube with a tea candle. The student points the mouth of the test tube AWAY from themselves and others. The student moves the test tube in and out of the flame. Next the student puts a burning splint inside of the opening of the test tube after about 30 seconds of heating. (One does not place hot test tube in the plastic test tube wrack)

5.      The fifth experiment the student gets a beaker and adds 40 ml of water and then adds two or three drops of PHTH. One drops two or three small pieces of calcium metal. (One does not touch calcium with their fingers.) A combustible gas will be produced, but one does not test it. PHTH is an indicator.

6.      For the sixth experiment the student adds one piece (about two cm to one in) of Magnesium metal into a dry test tube. Next one adds a couple squirts of Hydrochloric acid solution. Finally, the student tests gas with a burning splint.

7.      For the seventh experiment the student adds one piece of Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate solid to a dry clean test tube. Then the student gently heats the test tube (just like in the fourth experiment- One does not test for gas, but the student observes the inside top of the test tube.)  

8.      For the final experiment the student adds one squirt of Ammonium Carbonate solution and 1 squirt of barium nitrate solution in a test tube.  

Here is the lab report rubric.
Lab Report Rubric


1. ________ (10 points) Title of lab report

2. ________ (10 points) Background information (Use the third person, present tense, and active voice.)

3. ________ (10 points) Materials listed in paragraph format.

4. ________ (10 points) Procedures described in paragraph format. Use the third person, past tense, and active voice.

5. ________ (10 points) Data Table

6. ________ (10 points) Results. Use paragraph format and state what happened. Include the percent error.

7. ________ (10 points) Conclusion. What happened? Discuss the percent error and possible sources of error.

8. ________ (10 points) Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. ________ (10 points) Use of third person, present tense, and active voice.

10. ________ (10 points) Cite all sources of information including the textbook and the lab packet.

Apologia Chemistry: Moles

Modules 5 and 6 include moles and Stoichiometry.  Over the Christmas break, the kids have a timeline to do.  I’m assigning a moles, too.  I collect fur fur, felt, and fabric pieces all year for this project.  I lend glue guns out, too.  We will celebrate Mole Day and judge their mole creations as we study moles.  We have classes next week.  I’m going to assign the timeline and mole project tomorrow.  The kids may want to work ahead instead of having these assignments loom over their heads during the Christmas Break.

Apologia Chemistry: Atomic Theory Timeline Module 3

Over the Christmas break, the kids are going to work through the development of the Atomic Theory (Module 3) and create a timeline of scientists.  First, the student must complete a worksheet.  I’m providing a list of key scientists with their birth and death dates.  The students must research each scientist’s contribution to the development of the atomic theory and the approximate date of the event.  Hantaro Nagaoka and Satyendra Nath Bose are Japanese and Indian physicists who may be unfamiliar but made significant contributions to atomic and quantum theory.  I want the kids to make a list with each person’s contribution to accompany the timeline.  I’ll post examples after Christmas.

Lacie finished her timeline early.  Take a look.

Apologia Biology: Microscope Slides

Good Will  often has microscope slides.  Right now, there are two sets available, one a set of 50 general biology slides similar to this set.  Be sure to check the shipping!  Goodwill online is comprised of stores across the county; consequently the shipping and handling fees vary.  Some sites inflate the weight of the package or assess stiff handling fees.

The microscope slides are especially useful for Co-op classes.  Last year, there were 19 in my Biology co-op class.  We needed loads of slides and microscopes for the kids.  Good Will sells microscopes frequently, too.  I use digital microscopes with laptops.  The kids focus the microscope on the slide, take a screen shot, and then sketch the image.  This method works at low magnifications.    The kids do not spend much time doing extended observations at different magnifications.  They could—they just don’t.

I have a nice collection of slides.  However, I’m always in the market for good anatomy, histology, or microorganism slides.  These specialized microscope slides are much more expensive.  Yes, I have to take a step and back away from the microscopes—especially digital Celestron microscopes.  Yes, Good Will has these occasionally.  Yes, I realize I’m increasing the competition for goods at Good Will.  Every home-school family I know operates on a tight budget.  Aside from a few bargains on Amazon or eBay, Good Will offers the most bargains.

Apologia Chem: Types of Reactions

Update: I’m home-schooling Lacie, one of the kids in the Co-op.  So, I had her rewrite the procedures today to gauge the length of the assignment and level of difficulty.  Tomorrow, most of the kids will be rewriting the procedures.  If any of the kids can convert the instructions into third person, etc., immediately, he or she may write the materials section instead.


Update:  I want the kids to learn how to write a lab report; however, I don’t want them to hate lab.  One of my colleagues had a good method.  He assigned one piece of the lab report.  I’m going to do that for this lab.  The kids love all of the reactions.  I hat to spoil the fun.  Instead, I’ll assign the materials or procedures sections.  The kids will write using the third person, present tense, active voice, and indicative mood—but just one paragraph of materials or procedures.  Some of my kids struggle with writing.  If writing is hard, the child can rewrite the lab instructions and convert them into the third person.  I’ll ask the kids for samples to post.

The kids did the Types of Chemical Reactions lab.  Last Thursday, the kids learned how to identify five types of reactions.  Today, they reacted and observed several types of reactions.  Fun!  I do not tell the kids which reaction is which: single, double replacement, synthesis, decomposition, and combustion.

This lab requires a great deal of instruction.  As the kids gently heat the test tube, they should move the Pyrex or borosilicate test tube in and out of the flame.  A tea candle is sufficient to heat sodium bicarbonate and copper II sulfate crystals.  I demonstrate heating a test tube and pointing the mouth of the test tube away from oneself or others.  The wooden test splints are wooden stir sticks.    Heating sodium bicarbonate produces carbon dioxide, which extinguishes a burning splint.  MnO2 and 3 % hydrogen peroxide produce oxygen gas and is tested with a GLOWING splint.  The oxygen gas ignites with a glowing splint.  HCl (1M) and magnesium ribbon produce hydrogen gas and a squeaky pop.  Remind the kids to record detailed observations.  We did not use 2 grams of magnesium ribbon; instead we used 2-3 cm of ribbon.

Thursday, we’ll predict the products and write balanced reactions for each.  This is a good lab to use to practice writing a formal lab report.  (See below.)

Lab Report Rubric


1. ________ (10 points) Title of lab report

2. ________ (10 points) Background information (Use the third person, present tense, and active voice.)

3. ________ (10 points) Materials listed in paragraph format.

4. ________ (10 points) Procedures described in paragraph format. Use the third person, past tense, and active voice.

5. ________ (10 points) Data Table

6. ________ (10 points) Results. Use paragraph format and state what happened. Include the percent error.

7. ________ (10 points) Conclusion. What happened? Discuss the percent error and possible sources of error.

8. ________ (10 points) Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. ________ (10 points) Use of third person, present tense, and active voice.

10. ________ (10 points) Cite all sources of information including the textbook and the lab packet.

Apologia Science: Pasco Spark

eBay has a Spark Learning System for $48.  The Spark includes voltage and temperature sensors.  I would buy a stainless steel temperature probe, too. (Under $15), a pH sensor ($25), and a motion sensor ($35).  Pasco’s Spark is an interface; the sensors or probes connect to the device to collect data.  Pasco has newer software interfaces: Sparklink Air, Airlink, Spark LX, and LXi.  The Sparklink and Airlink connect by Bluetooth to an iPad, iPhone, Chromebook, or Android device with an app. 

The Spark Learning System is an older device.  It has data collection lab programs already downloaded.  Pasco offers free labs.  I love these labs.  Each one is a complete lesson.  Click on the lab previews.  Students read the instructions, connect the appropriate probe to the Spark interface and collect data. There are labs available for all grades.  I do have the Sparklink and Airlink to use with my iPad.  I’d rather use the Spark around chemicals.  The Spark systems are rugged.  Our science department shared one set for years and used them for large groups of students without any incidents.

If you want a datalogger, the Pasco GLX is another good choice.  It connects to the same Pasport probes and reports data.  It does not have stand alone lessons.   The user guide has a few labs.  Position Match uses the GLX and a motion sensor.  Here is a temperature lab.  You can plug a pH or temperature probe into the GLX datalogger and collect readings for any lab, too.  I use probeware frequently to expose my kids to technology they may use in college.  The college will have more sophisticated instruments. The principles of data collection are the same.

Graphing Calculators on Amazon

Amazon offers used TI 84 for $42.95.  There are other TI 84 calculators for a bit less.  However, one has a pressure spot on the screen.  Usually pressure spots mean the calculator is about to die.  There are used TI 83 calculators for $19.85.  These are the prices I pay when I bid on calculators from Good Will.  If you experience a problem you should be able to get a refund or credit through Amazon.  I have had excellent service from Amazon.  One time, I had a terrible time resolving an Amazon gift card I sent my mom.  After several calls, the problem remained.  I went to my account and began reviewing ten or twelve recent purchases.  In each review, I wrote an honest assessment of each product.  I added a note that the item was fine—unlike the Amazon gift card situation which remained unresolved.  A miracle!  Amazon resolved the order.  Happily, Amazon backs merchandise.

Human Biology: Biomolecules

Anna and I are reviewing biomolecules before we revisit cellular or molecular biology.  We worked through Molecules of Life with the Labaid kit last year in Biology.  Now, we are working on Biological Molecules (POGIL).  Today, we spent two hours making the initial molecules.  Here are pix.  Yes, it took two hours.  The nucleic acid was a pain.  Take the time to build the molecules; the process helps the child to understand how the molecules form. 

Apologia Chemistry: Balance Equations and Identify Types of Reactions

Today, I went over the homework and assigned a assigned a quiz.  After the quiz, I taught how to identify types of reactions and what the symbols are in chemical reactions.  I can hear you!  Yes, it took all of the class period!

Apologia Chemistry: Can You Make 2 Grams?

Stoichiometry is an upcoming topic.  Can You Make 2 Grams? Is the best lab for this unit.  Here are the pairs of reactants used for the lab.  I do this mini-lab with hydrates before the 2 Grams lab.