I’ve used polyurethane as a lab in Chemistry. But I never considered making fun critters! Home Science Tools has a kit. Flinn has these instructions—which my teens used creatively. Once, the kids filled a glove and added red food dye to film a safety video; the dye spurted out of a foam hand after a scalpel cut. But I didn’t think about critters! Now, I need to shop for a deal on two-part polyurethane foam.
One of my favorite science series for elementary aged kiddos is Apologia’s Young Explorers Series. I taught Human Anatomy with a Co-op group ages six to eleven. My husband, Rob, taught Chemistry and Physics with a group eight to twelve. I’ve purchased and given away many textbooks and journaling notebooks. Why? The series works for just about any child and adapts well. When I taught Human Anatomy, three of the kiddos were emerging readers. (The rest of the group were practically reading War and Peace.) We worked together on Try-this exercises and labs experiments. The better readers could work independently while I read sections out loud or tested orally. My husband, Rob, took a similar approach with Chemistry and Physics. (The twelve year old visited the high school Chemistry class, too.) Are you just starting science with your family? Try Zoology. There are three Zoology books, perfect for younger kiddos. A friend’s Co-op used these three textbooks for three years to introduce science. Why? Many younger students are interested in animals. Let’s take advantage of that interest! Do you need the Notebooking Journal? The notebook isn’t required; however, there is ‘copy work’, puzzles, coloring, and sections for notes. The journal has a daily syllabus, too. There are two notebook levels; the ‘Junior’ level is for early elementary-aged kiddos or emerging readers. Used copies are easy to find. Before you invest in a set, see if a home-school friend has a copy to be sure it works for your family. Look over the contents of the lab kit to see just what materials you need—most of which you probably have on hand.
Yes, I feel it is a public service to highlight interesting items at Good Will. Be sure to check the shipping costs before you bid! Yes, I did bid on the Identiflyer. (I didn’t know Identiflyer had frog calls, too! We have a pond in our backyard, full of frogs. I took an amphibian course one time. Just like birds, frog call recordings can be used for identification.) The glassware available is useful for Chemistry experiments, especially beakers. Scientific glassware is typically borosilicate or Pyrex. Take a look!
Update: NASA’s Candy Bar Geology is the place to start. The lesson examines several types of candy bars to learn geology terms, such as friable or regolith. The lesson has Project Steps, field notes, a worksheet, and notes about extending the lesson. The lesson is marked as grades 4-8; it is certainly useful for a middle school aged kiddo.
Occasionally I teach Earth Science, which includes Rocks and Minerals. I like to use a set which is labeled. The best resource I’ve found is TOPS Rocks and Minerals. Look at the Preview and Sample Lab. Surprise! I use loads of identification labs when I teach Rocks and Minerals: streak, hardness, density, etc. I need the rocks to be correctly labeled and identified. I’m not a geologist! I’ve had the best luck finding deals at Good Will. However, eBay and Amazon have good prices, too. Take a look!
I’m learned a long time ago that kids will race through dissections without learning anything. We spend time sketching, photographing, and labeling. Yes, one squeamish student is working through a set of paper dissections. Take a look!
I purchased several dissection guides. We use the textbook and these guides when we cut up specimens. Why? Do you want your laptop or tablet near the specimen? I buy used Apologia Biology textbooks. We use my copies because I don’t mind a little juice on the textbook. Likely, I paid around $5 for my copy. I bought dissection guides from Home Science Tools for the perch and frog. The Apologia Biology textbook has a dissection guide for the perch, but not the frog. (There is a brief paragraph instructing students to do a literature search before dissecting the frog in all three Apologia textbooks.) I bought used guide and photo atlases for about $5 each. Keep in mind, I teach Biology for the Co-op regularly. Usually, a photo atlases has real photos from a dissection, which is easy to study. One guide came with a set of specimens from Carolina Biological. It is exceptional. Take a look at my copies.
The Bio Co-op class started the dissection series. I want sketches before the teens dissect. They take photos and use the USB microscope for details. The kids are using their Apologia Bio textbooks for the earthworm, crayfish, perch, and frog dissections as part of a mega lab report. Take a look!
This summer let’s schedule a few clinics or summer projects. Browse the thrift store or Good Will online for fancy kits. Below are a few ideas. I can tell you from experience, it’s best to take these types of kits on as a team. Take photos and add these to your digital portfolio!
I am so tempted. Look at this suture and venipuncture kit! Wouldn’t this be fun for Anatomy? Sadly, my max for a whim is about $15 with shipping. But, I am sorely tempted!
Take a look at Experimentium, a web site with loads of videos describing experiments. I set the filters to see which basic experiments are available. I know some will be familiar to you. But, I check out any new resource to see if it can be valuable.
Few things enhance an exhibit like LEGOs. Our family has encountered LEGO exhibits at museums, famous sites (such as an Olympic stadium), and at botanical gardens—usually accidentally. Wouldn’t it be fun to plan to attend an event or exhibit? Below are a few ideas.
1. BrickFair is a huge event. (The pix are from a smaller BrickFair in Fredericksburg, VA.) Buy tickets in advance. Afternoon only tickets are much cheaper! Is it science? Look at BrickFair as an inspirational tool. How can you use LEGOs to enhance your program? Check on locations for BrickUniverse and Brickworld.
3. Nature Connects are LEGO sculptures at botanical gardens. Let your child take photos. Yes, your kiddo will take more images of the LEGOs than the plants. You may be surprised how much your family also enjoys the garden.
3. Museums often partner with LEGO. See Towers of Tomorrow in Richmond, Va. The National Building Museum is hosting Brick City in Washington, D.C. We usually park at Union Station when we visit D.C. The National Building Museum (free!) is less than a mile from Union Station.
