Good morning, Here is a couple new Homeschool Resources: Starry Night, Serendip Studio – Biology, Layered Earth Curriculum and Earthquakes for Kids.
If you have used any of these resources leave me a comment and let me know what you liked about the resources or why you disliked the resources.
Award-winning Starry Night is the only space science curriculum that combines an interactive sky simulator, lesson plans correlated to state and national standards, and extensive teacher resources in one easy-to-use package.
Grades 6-12, with parental supervision This website offers free hands-on activities for teaching biology to middle school and high school students.
These activities were designed by a graduate student of the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania who notes, “The expression ‘hands-on, minds-on’ summarizes the philosophy we have incorporated in these activities — namely, that students will learn best if they are actively engaged and if their activities are closely linked to understanding important biological concepts.”
When you get to the site you’ll see an introduction followed by the lessons with Student Handouts and Teacher Preparation Notes available in either PDF or Word formats. (You can also access the activities by clicking on the “Table of Contents” menu on the right side of the screen.) The activities cover a broad range of biological topics and are presented in one *possible* effective sequence for learning biology.
Here is a sample of activity titles:
- Is Yeast Alive?
- Introduction to Osmosis
- Photosynthesis Investigation
- Mitosis, Meiosis and Fertilization
- Dragon Genetics
- DNA
- Moldy Jell-O
- Regulation of Human Heart Rate
- How do we Sense the Flavors of Food?
And so much more!
As noted on the website, most of the activities can be carried out with minimum equipment and expense for supplies. Sources for the equipment and supplies you’ll need are provided in the printable “Teacher Preparation Notes.”
Award-winning Starry Night is the only space science curriculum that combines an interactive sky simulator, lesson plans correlated to state and national standards, and extensive teacher resources in one easy-to-use package.
Earthquakes for Kids
Grades 1-12, with parental supervision Today’s site, sponsored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), offers a multi-media exploration of earthquake history, animations, project ideas, and a lot more.
When you get to the site simply use the icon menu to explore:
- Science of Earthquakes – Learn why the earth shakes and how quakes are recorded.
- Earthquake Animations – Watch terrific video animations of Amplification, A Thrust Fault, Foreshocks, and much more!
- Science Fair Project Ideas
- Become An Earthquake Scientist – Learn what it takes to be a Geophysicist.
- Cool Earthquake Facts – Learn fascinating trivia and tidbits about earthquakes.
- Today in Earthquake History – See a map depicting where earthquakes have occurred. You can also choose a different day.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
