Does anyone want to help me plan a biology year?

[Runningmom80]

So DS isn't really interested in any sciences outside of technology.  I will openly admit that we've done little science up to this point.  I just read the newest edition of TWTM and "5th grade" is a biology year.  He's 5th grade in age only, so I'm needing to find some books that are more late middle/early high school.

I'm going to use TWTM schedule as a jumping off point, and we will of course follow any interests.

 

That being said, I need to cover the following topics, Animal Kingdom, Human Body, Plant Kingdom

 

I'd love for him to learn and keep note of classifications.

 

So far I have in my cart,

Animalium https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763675083/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Way We Work https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618233784/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Cells https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982537786/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Botany in 8 Lessons https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988780801/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

 

Obviously I need some meatier texts.  Any suggestions? 

[SierraNevada]

We are doing biology this year too, for the first time ever. We also have Cells and Botany. We are also using the Great Courses Plus biology lectures along with their guidebook.

[Arcadia]

My oldest who does not care for biology did the miller levine book and lots of hands on.

 

The only bio he has a mild interest in is Genetics and DNA sequencing. Patterns in any subject is what he loved.

 

ETA:

My penguin lover did a marine science focus bio.

Edited August 25, 2016 by Arcadia

[Runningmom80]

We are doing biology this year too, for the first time ever. We also have Cells and Botany. We are also using the Great Courses Plus biology lectures along with their guidebook.

I keep forgetting about Great Courses! Thank you!

[Runningmom80]

My oldest who does not care for biology did the miller levine book and lots of hands on.

 

The only bio he has a mild interest in is Genetics and DNA sequencing. Patterns in any subject is what he loved.

 

ETA:

My penguin lover did a marine science focus bio.

I suspect it's not going to be a runaway hit here either, which is why I'm willing to purchase books at different levels to see if he likes anything.

[chocolate-chip chooky]

We padded Cells out by also using Khan Academy and Crash Course.

The Youtube channel Amoeba Sisters was also helpful for some portions.

 

There's also Ellen McHenry's Mapping the Body with Art. 

[Dmmetler]

The online component for a text may be useful-DD enjoyed Uzinggo high school biology and has also enjoyed the virtual labs from various programs (her mentor gives her codes for them when she gets new programs to test out). Holt's homeschool bundle includes the online labs and a copy of the digital version of the book, and is $26/yr through Rainbow Resources. EMind also has good virtual labs.

 

Also, HMMI has a lot of nice online virtual labs and videos-and they're free.

[Arcadia]

I suspect it's not going to be a runaway hit here either, which is why I'm willing to purchase books at different levels to see if he likes anything.

My DS10 puke over the dissection lab because of formaldehyde :lol: first time he puke over dissection.

 

As for books, window shopping at Barnes & Noble and then a used book store was helpful for my boys.

[Runningmom80]

My DS10 puke over the dissection lab because of formaldehyde :lol: first time he puke over dissection.

 

As for books, window shopping at Barnes & Noble and then a used book store was helpful for my boys.

 

Oh man, thank you for the warning.  DS is SUPER sensitive to smells.  I may have to recruit good old dad to help him dissect. :leaving:

[GeoKitty]

Last year, technically fifth grade for DD, she did Ellen Mchenry Cells and Botany (and Elements) as well as Lyrical Life Science 1, 2, and 3. We used the DK Human Body Book and some others as well.   Along with lots of microscope labs, lap booking on topics of interest, and doing extra studies on the platypus and some sea creature I can't remember at the moment.  Her year was very full - with breadth and depth (in areas of interest).

[Runningmom80]

Last year, technically fifth grade for DD, she did Ellen Mchenry Cells and Botany (and Elements) as well as Lyrical Life Science 1, 2, and 3. We used the DK Human Body Book and some others as well.   Along with lots of microscope labs, lap booking on topics of interest, and doing extra studies on the platypus and some sea creature I can't remember at the moment.  Her year was very full - with breadth and depth (in areas of interest).

 

We have the DK body book, I'll have to pull it out.

 

I still need to pull the trigger on a microscope.

[Dmmetler]

Oh man, thank you for the warning. DS is SUPER sensitive to smells. I may have to recruit good old dad to help him dissect. :leaving:

Virtual dissections and 3D models FTW! My DD is morally opposed to killing animals for the sake of dissecting them, and her bio mentor has said that it is OK for DD to NOT dissect at this stage even as a budding biologist. And it's definitely easier for a hyper sensory kid to manage, too.

Edited August 26, 2016 by dmmetler

[Runningmom80]

Virtual dissections and 3D models FTW! My DD is morally opposed to them, and her bio mentor has said that it is OK for DD to NOT dissect at this stage even as a budding biologist. And it's definitely easier for a hyper sensory kid to manage, too.

 

This is good to know. :)

[Runningmom80]

The online component for a text may be useful-DD enjoyed Uzinggo high school biology and has also enjoyed the virtual labs from various programs (her mentor gives her codes for them when she gets new programs to test out). Holt's homeschool bundle includes the online labs and a copy of the digital version of the book, and is $26/yr through Rainbow Resources. EMind also has good virtual labs.

 

Also, HMMI has a lot of nice online virtual labs and videos-and they're free.

 

Uzinggo looks awesome!  Thank you for sharing.

[Loesje22000]

So DS isn't really interested in any sciences outside of technology.  I will openly admit that we've done little science up to this point.  I just read the newest edition of TWTM and "5th grade" is a biology year.  He's 5th grade in age only, so I'm needing to find some books that are more late middle/early high school.

I'm going to use TWTM schedule as a jumping off point, and we will of course follow any interests.

 

That being said, I need to cover the following topics, Animal Kingdom, Human Body, Plant Kingdom

 

I'd love for him to learn and keep note of classifications.

 

So far I have in my cart,

Animalium https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763675083/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Way We Work https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618233784/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Cells https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982537786/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Botany in 8 Lessons https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988780801/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

 

Obviously I need some meatier texts.  Any suggestions? 

 

In the new WTM, SWB suggests also a rotation with all the science disciplines every year.

and a rotation that covers the basic sciences of nature (so adding earthscience and astronomy to your biology year) in grade 5.

 

Personnally I would not opt for 'one science per year' with a child that is 'not that interested in science'. In my house that would become a disaster :)

[Arcadia]

Oh man, thank you for the warning. DS is SUPER sensitive to smells. I may have to recruit good old dad to help him dissect. :leaving:

Like dmmetler said, virtual labs should be good enough. My DS10 loves dissecting the fresh seafood I buy at Asian supermarkets and don't mind the fishy smell.

 

Another experiment to avoid would be the rotten egg (Hydrogen Sulphide) experiment or any ammonia experiment in chemistry.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrylab/tp/Worst-Lab-Smells.htm

 

My kids like the Lego DNA project

https://edgerton.mit.edu/DNA-proteins-sets

 

For the human body we had fun with this free circulation game from Ellen McHenry. More nice free stuff for the human body in link below

http://ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/lifesciences-games/humanbody.php

[Runningmom80]

In the new WTM, SWB suggests also a rotation with all the science disciplines every year.

and a rotation that covers the basic sciences of nature (so adding earthscience and astronomy to your biology year) in grade 5.

 

Personnally I would not opt for 'one science per year' with a child that is 'not that interested in science'. In my house that would become a disaster :)

Well, that's too much for me to take on this year, and mirrors a lot of the scattered stuff we've done in the past. My goal for logic stage is to go deeper.

[Runningmom80]

Like dmmetler said, virtual labs should be good enough. My DS10 loves dissecting the fresh seafood I buy at Asian supermarkets and don't mind the fishy smell.

 

Another experiment to avoid would be the rotten egg (Hydrogen Sulphide) experiment or any ammonia experiment in chemistry.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrylab/tp/Worst-Lab-Smells.htm

 

My kids like the Lego DNA project

https://edgerton.mit.edu/DNA-proteins-sets

 

For the human body we had fun with this free circulation game from Ellen McHenry. More nice free stuff for the human body in link below

http://ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/lifesciences-games/humanbody.php

These are awesome! Thank you.

[Runningmom80]

Uzinggo looks awesome! Thank you for sharing.

DS LOVES Uzinggo and there is a hsbc group buy right now

[dharmacat]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/076371688X/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JVDENN5GD5R26BTA6C7Z

 

In addition to the four you listed in your original post, we also have (but have not yet used) the above resource. It is a highly visual "textbook", and though it may not be necessary to have both McCaully and this one, it looks perfect for his age-ability combo.

[dharmacat]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0064603075/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TS95FCTBV7DA44SV9QZE

 

And the Biology Coloring Book if he enjoys coloring.

[Arcadia]

We have tried this virtual bio lab since my DS11 does not care for bio. There are probably better virtual labs.

http://bio.rutgers.edu

[chocolate-chip chooky]

We bought a high-school quality microscope when our daughter was 7.  

We've never regretted the expense. We see it as an investment that should last her through her homeschooling.

 

It's not just that she's learning about histology (which she loves) but also the skills involved in the independent use of a microscope.

 

We were at our local museum last week and we were looking at a range of old microscopes. My daughter wondered out loud with awe "I wonder if Robert Hooke used one like this ..."  :001_smile:

 

Anyhoo, just giving my thumbs-up to purchasing a microscope  :thumbup1:

 

 

[Runningmom80]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0064603075/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TS95FCTBV7DA44SV9QZE

 

And the Biology Coloring Book if he enjoys coloring.

 

Added both of your suggestions to my amazon cart!

[Runningmom80]

We bought a high-school quality microscope when our daughter was 7.  

We've never regretted the expense. We see it as an investment that should last her through her homeschooling.

 

It's not just that she's learning about histology (which she loves) but also the skills involved in the independent use of a microscope.

 

We were at our local museum last week and we were looking at a range of old microscopes. My daughter wondered out loud with awe "I wonder if Robert Hooke used one like this ..."  :001_smile:

 

Anyhoo, just giving my thumbs-up to purchasing a microscope  :thumbup1:

 

I would LOVE microscope suggestions! I mentioned getting a microscope and he's very excited about it!

Edited August 29, 2016 by Runningmom80

[Arcadia]

I would LOVE microscope suggestions! I mentioned getting a microscope and he's very excited about it!

My kids dismantled a used microscope :) We didn't mind as we got it cheap. They probably learn more optics than biology.

 

We are also looking at getting a better microscope for DS10 and he wants one that has a camera mount if possible so he can take photos. Or we would just get one that can pipe to laptop and save the images.

 

Have fun.

 

ETA:

We won't able to get the alignment back on the dismantled microscope but we were prepared for the microscope to be a goner once dismantled.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Arcadia

[chocolate-chip chooky]

We got our microscope through this Australian company: http://www.aunet.com.au/microscopes.htm 

 

We got the one called the Advanced Student Bundle, but we opted to pay extra for a hardcase.  http://www.aunet.com.au/advanced_student_biological_microscope.htm 

 

The bundle included things like camera, extra eyepiece to get up to 2000x, prepared slides etc.

 

I know this probably isn't at all helpful for anyone outside Australia, but for anyone in Australia, I highly recommend this company - excellent service.

 

 

[Runningmom80]

I see this one is suggested on the high school board, does anyone have any opinions on it?

 

https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-40X-2000X-Binocular-Microscope-Mechanical/dp/B005TJ5CEG/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0