Grades: 5-8 Life Science

This full year course is broken up into 2 semesters. Families can sign up for 1 or both at anytime. A condensed version is also available.

Students will engage in “hands on” and a student centered approach to learning science. The course focuses on the study of life and life processes. It allows the students to develop concepts in life science and critical thinking through observation and experimentation. Throughout the year students will explore life science as a process, chemistry related to living organisms,cell structures and functions, genetics and heredity, diversity of living organisms and their ecological roles, and an introduction to animal structure and function.

Topics:

Scientific Processes, Biodiversity and Interdependence of Organisms, Types Of Cells, Cell Processes, Reproduction and Development of Organisms, Genetics, Human Body Systems.

Curriculum Resources:Holt Life Science, Glencoe Life Science, Lumen Learning Biology/Life Science Concepts, CK-12 Flexbooks Life Science, and Nearpod Life Science. All online chapters needed will be provided via pdf. 

Self Paced

This option is best for students who want to work at their own pace without strict assignment deadlines. With this learning model, students will have a full year to complete the course. Students can work independently in Google Classroom, with parent check ins each week or the parent can use the material to teach the student from home. 

Instructor Led

This option is best for students who need weekly deadlines and may need instructor help during the course. During a 17 week semester, the instructor will meet 1:1 via Zoom with the student on 12 occassions to go over material, perform live testing methods, help with labs, or summarize upcoming assignments. With this learning method, students will need to complete the weekly tasks before the next Zoom session so that class pacing can occur. Mrs. Collins is a triple certified teacher and her experience in the classroom and as a science cuirriculum writer will provide your child access to a qualified teacher 1:1 for quality instruction. Feel free to message Mrs. Collins to see what time slots she has available for 1:1 instruction. Each Zoom session last 45 minutes, and 12 Zooms are included for each semester. 

This course is also offered in a condensed self paced version which is great for co-ops, private schools, families, or charter schools looking to add in a science introduction course but with only one semester available. A full year can be condensed into one semester on the platform but the workload will be condensed and 2 more assignments per week would be expected compared to the regular self paced curriculum.

Below you will also find optional assessments options. If your child has recently left the school system and you would love to check where they are or what topics have been mastered in the course,  then the pre assessment is recommended. If the student has just completed the course,  and you would like to check grade level knowledge before registering for another course then the grade level assessment is recommended.