4KookieKids Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I have a 9 yo kiddo who just got her first opportunity to dissect a deer heart with a friend. I've not seen her eyes shine like that in a very long time. It was love-at-first-slice... And she's desperate to do more. Problem #1: I'm very squeamish. There's NO way I'm going to be able to help her without vomiting, fainting, or both. Problem #2: She's dyslexic, so lots of print is overwhelming and stressful. I've searched some old threads on dissection, but I'm just not sure how many of them will be something a 4th/5th grader could do independently, or if she'll just have to wait until she's older. I was hoping to find something that had accompanying video lessons to guide her through it, maybe? Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I teach science classes to groups of homeschoolers and do tons of dissections. I wouldn't recommend allowing a 9 year old to do most of them without someone on hand to help/supervise. Would she be satisfied watching youtube videos of dissections? If not, IF she's really good about using scissors and can be trusted 100% with sharp objects (still wouldn't let that age use a scalpel unsupervised), I'd recommend things like a starfish (can use scissors rather than scalpel), sheeps brain (scissor or dull butter knife sharpness scalpel), maybe a grasshopper or crayfish (also can be done mainly with scissors). Scissors would be small dissection scissors that kind of look like nail scissors. Even with these, I would strongly recommend you are nearby. Dissection specimens aren't usually bloody and some of them aren't even particularly gooey (for lack of a better word). I have powerpoints for dissections that aren't videos but are mostly labeled pictures and diagrams. I can send them if you decide to go ahead with this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4KookieKids Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 I don’t mind being nearby. And I can even look at it occasionally, as long as I don’t have to focus on it for too long. 😂 She has good knife skills in the kitchen, and I do trust her with knives of normal sharpness (she routinely chops up all manner of vegetables and fruit for me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Is there an older sibling who could help? I actually paid my older son to help my younger son do a science thing with earthworms. It worked great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4KookieKids Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 2 hours ago, EKS said: Is there an older sibling who could help? I actually paid my older son to help my younger son do a science thing with earthworms. It worked great. That’s a great idea! 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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