My main goal is to cover some gaps in her sciences before starting high school. I wanted something narrative, with occasional experiments, that would fit a "general science" requirement. We all ready covered earth science with living books rather thoroughly during physical geography.
I wasn't to concerned with biology since the plan is for her to take it in 9th grade. However, she is participating in labs this year and I wanted her familiar with the material. So, she's currently reading Tiner's "Biology" book to meet that need, and really enjoying it! The text is interesting and actually covers quite a bit of the major topics.
Since she is already reading biology and scheduled to read physics, I decided to take a look at the rest of Tiner's series. We are adding chemistry and astronomy to the list. I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect. These are short enough to finish over the school year but have the breadth and depth I was looking for!
Turns out, while I was at a library book sale I stumbled across a "Ready-to-use Science Proficiency Lessons and Activities" guide for 8th grade. It has been the perfect addition to round out Tiner's books. After reading some reviews on Amazon, I am pre-reading the worksheets to ensure these do not state anything more than the facts being taught.
To help drive home a few of the lessons I added some interesting YouTube videos. One particular set that I really like is produced by the Amoeba Sisters. They've only covered biology so far but I'm hoping they will make more for when my youngest is ready.This "plan" is evolving as we progress. We've already covered physical/earth science and we are currently covering biology. I will add the other books as we come to them.
8th Grade General Science
Biology
Exploring
the World of Biology, Tiner (14 chapters)
- Beginning classification, plants, fungi, yeasts, molds, pasteurization
- Microscope, simple and complex organisms, paramecium, protozoa, amoeba, euglena, algae, diatoms, bacteria, anaerobic, virus
- Classification System
- Plants, purpose, structure, life span, seeds, spread of seed, vegetative reproduction, spores, photosynthesis
- Food for energy, carbohydrates, glucose molecules, fats, hormones, insulin, proteins
- Digestion process beginning with teeth, through stomach, to small intestine, taste (tongue & taste buds)
- Plant Inventors-Luther Burbank, George Washington Carver, George de Mestral, land stripping, legumes & nitrogen
- Insects, classification, structure, life cycles, Jean Henri Fabre, metamorphosis, Louis Pasteur & silkworm disease
- Arachnids, structure, webs, behavior, molting
- Classification of life in water, fish anatomy, fish respiration, lateral line, Jules Verne, Jacques Cousteau, diving, amphibians-structure & respiration, life cycle
- Reptiles, body temperature, reproduction, snakes-bites, structure, detecting prey, venomous snakes, lizards-structure, life cycle, habitats
- Birds, structure, life cycle, migration, beaks, food, digestion, John Audubon
- Mammals, traits, structure, reproduction, variety in size, carnivores, rodents, cats, sheep, elephants
- Fossils, primitive humans, Darwin, fluorine dating, frauds, hoaxes
Plants- Structure and Function (video)
https://youtu.be/pFaBpVoQD4E
Cellular Respiration (video) https://youtu.be/JEnjph9miK4
Lesson 73: Photosynthesis p. 325-328, Handwerker's book
Cells- Types, Structures, Functions
Prokaryotic
Cells vs. Eukaryotic Cells-
Amoeba Sisters(video) https://youtu.be/Pxujitlv8wc
Introduction to
Cells: The Grand Cell Tour
Amoeba Sisters (video) https://youtu.be/8IlzKri08kk
Cell Structure (CGI) https://youtu.be/URUJD5NEXC8
Identify
and Color animal and plant cell structures
worksheet from TpT
Complete Cell Structure worksheet Les.
75 in Handwerker’s book
Cell Division: Mitosis-
Amoeba Sisters (video) Mitosis https://youtu.be/f-ldPgEfAHI
Complete Mitosis Les. 76 worksheet in
Handwerker’s book
Cell Types & Cell Theory-
Specialized
Cells: Significance, Examples, Organization
Amoeba Sisters video https://youtu.be/wNe6RuK0FfA
Read Specialized Cells
Complete Body Cell Matching sheet and add to notebook
Levels of Organization “Cornell Notes” presentation (read
slides 3-12)
Labs Completed w/Co-op (Apologia)
Mod 1/Exp 1.2 Introduction
to a Compound Microscope
Mod 2/Exp 2.2 Kingdom Monera: Pond
Life B
Mod 3/Exp 3.1 Kingdom Protista: Pond Life C
Mod 3/Exp 3.2 Subkingdom Protozoa: A & C
Mod 3/Exp 3.3 Subkingdom Algae: B
Mod 4/Exp 4.2 Yeast and the Fermentation Process
Mod 6/Exp 6.1 Animal Cell Anatomy
Mod 7/Exp 7.2 Mitosis
Big Bang, Fossil Record, Evolution, & Natural
Selection
This has been the hardest topic to cover for my middle schooler. I found some short video clips (longest is 4 minutes) and articles for her to read. I have to keep reminding myself this is introduction only and that she will cover these topics more in-depth later in high school.
This has been the hardest topic to cover for my middle schooler. I found some short video clips (longest is 4 minutes) and articles for her to read. I have to keep reminding myself this is introduction only and that she will cover these topics more in-depth later in high school.
- A Big Bang - ICR
- Why Shoudn't Christians Accept Millions of Years? - AIG
- Young Universe - ICR
- Dinosaurs & Humans - ICR
- Catastrophe- AIG flood, dinosaurs, ice age
- Global Flood - ICR
- Ice Age - ICR
- Fossil Record- ICR video (sudden appearance/stasis)
- Cambrian Explosion - ICR
- Whale Evolution - ICR
- Carbon Dating - ICR
- Cell Origins - ICR
- Chimp DNA - ICR
- Scopes Trial - AIG
- Missing Links in Evolution ICR
- Natural Selection - AIG
- Natural Selection -ICR
- Evolving Bacteria - ICR
- Evolution in Action? - ICR
I will continue to edit and add to this post as we progress in our year....
