Apologia Biology
Apologia: Exploring Creation with Biology, 2nd edition
First day of co-op: August 25th.
Grader: I am using the grader 12-16 Lab WU, by none other than Donna Young.
Supplies:
Spiral notebook for lab write-ups
Spiral art book for lab drawings
Colored pencils
Dissecting tool kit, provided by co-op
HomeScienceTools have great prices on dissecting tool kits. They also have great prices on individual pieces, if you need to replace some of what you already have.
Specimens, earthworm, frog, perch, and crawfish
Double Injected fetal pig This is extra, not in the book.
Schedule:
These links will take you off site. Please use your back arrow to return to this blog. 
Weeks 1-6 correction: Add Ex. 3.2 to 9/15 date.
Weeks 7-12
Weeks 13-18
Weeks 19-24
Weeks 25-30
Weeks 31-37
You can find other Apologia Co-op schedules at DonnaYoung.org.
The planner I used for my schedule is the Science Planner at DonnaYoung.org.
Module 1:
Microscope Quiz – Yes, I’m giving a quiz on the first day of co-op. You’ll also find a link to microscope rules.
Some Notes:
The students should copy the Biological Key, so they don’t have to keep flipping back and forth to look at it. The book has the key split up on three pages, but Apologia offers a printable page on their website. Go to page V in the book for instructions to locate it.
For Ex. 1.2, I am having a hard time seeing the cheek cells under the highest power (x40). If you are having trouble seeing the cells, you can find a good photo at BioLab. It is under section 2, part D. How to find this link is also in the Learning Aids, page V of the science book.
Finding Cheek Cells
Cheek cell from one of my students. I was able to get this photo using a microscope camera.
One cheek cell
Group of cheek cells.
Module 2: Kingdom Monera
Here are some wonderful links for Module 2. These were found by Donna Young. Thank you Donna!
- Live Bacteria Movie This is so awesome. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Also has animated movies worth watching
- Case for Creator: Bacterial Flagellum Fascinating. All students should see this one.
- Bacteria Drawing of bacteria with the flagellum.
- Bacteria diagram this one has an actual photo of one.
Exp. 2.1 Pond Water part A.
Exp. 2.2 Pond Water part B, looking for bacteria. There’s a video in this post.
Video of the microscopic world.
Module 3: Kingdom Protista
Quiz: Two Groups of Kingdom Protista I also gave them a word bank to pick the answers from.
Examples of Symbiosis: (I showed these pictures to as examples to the class)
- Mutualism Symbosis
- Commensalism Symbiosis
- Parastitism Symbiosis Here’s a nasty one to show. Tongue eating louse and a picture here.
Videos of interest:
Module 4: Kingdom Fungi
Module 5 – The Chemistry of Life:
Exp. 5.1 and 5.2 were done at home. We skipped exp. 5.3.
And then there was life. The making of DNA. The students were required to draw, color, and label their DNA.
Module 6 – The Cell
Module 6 quiz: I haven’t written this up yet.
A special project, edible cell, was assigned to the students two weeks before it is due. This gives them enough time to read the module and gather the ingredients and make the cell. We are following the instructions at ScienceSpot, with very little changes. My son did this last year. All students and facilitators enjoyed this project; I highly recommend doing this.
I will be posting photos of the completed cells in two weeks.
November 3rd is our day of cells. I have prepared certificates for the chosen ones. Each student, plus one faciliator assistant will be voting on Most Attractive, Most Accurate, and Most Disgusting. I tried to get ribbons for the winners, but I couldn’t find the ones I wanted. Below is a link to the certificates I made, instead of purchasing ribbons. I am sorry if they don’t print out right. If you are interested in them, please email me and I’ll send them to you. The border on the left did not print out on my pages. I couldn’t fix that.
Fantastic This one is for the students who did not get one of the above certificates.
I do not have a copy for the Most Accurate. All of these were done on Microsoft Word. Hope you like them.
Module 7
We had a hard time seeing each of the phases under the Mitosis Onion root. Here is a good article with photos for each stages, if you are having trouble. Mitosis Onion Root
Plant Cell Division Shows the membrane vesicles down the middle of the cell that is dividing.
I hope these videos will be of help to someone.
Thanks, I will just be having my child start this book and any help is useful~
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by. I a new post will be going up in a few days. I have some neat pictures.
Thanks for your blog, I’m really enjoying your postings. We are starting a biology lab for four 9th graders and this is not my favorite subject to teach (facilitate), so I’m grateful for all those that have gone before and are leaving a trail of bread crumbs to follow. I was wondering if you know if blue food coloring would work ok in place of methylene blue stain. Our first lab is on Monday and I forgot to order this item. Thanks for your imput.
Jennie
Hi Jennie,
Thank you for visiting my blog. Blue food coloring can not be used instead of methylene blue stain. sorry.
I have 7 HS students coming every other week for labs and we did 2.2 today. It was great fun to watch these young people getting excited about observing the swimming creatures in their pond water!! We all were amazed at God’s handywork……and look forward to seeing even more microorganisms at our next meeting!
Just wondering if you can post any photos or videos of your findings?
Thanks for your great website. God bless you.
Hi Stephanie, Thanks for visiting my blog. I do have one video of the photo that I have already posted. Since the kids were looking in different microscopes, I wasn’t able to take photos of what they found. I am thinking of doing this again on my own. I’ll try to get photos then. The little creatures move so fast it was hard to even find them.
Thank you so much for your sharing of these materials and planning. We are organizing a class to begin on OCT 1st. Can you tell me how often and how long your classes meet?
Thanks!
Hi Sandra,
Our co-op meets once a week for 1 1/2 hours. I usually have two days, for labs and lectures, before an exam. The exams are done at home. During that 1.5 hours, I am able to lecture and do labs; sometimes two labs are done. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
We have already started a Biology co-op, but could use a lot of advice on how to use our time effectively.
Our co-op meets twice a week (Tues. & Thurs.). Currently, we have a two week per module schedule, but somehow are finding it too rushed because we try to go over the OYO questions, give vocab. quizzes, do labs, review the Study Guide, and also administer the test in these two weeks (4 classes). Somehow, we don’t seem to have enough time to do all that, but I am not sure if it may be because we are giving too much time to certain areas.
So, here are my many questions:
Since we meet twice a week, do you recommend that we go over the OYO and Study Guide questions in class, or are these sections that the students can check by themselves at home?
Also, do you suggest that the tests be taken at home or in class?
Since I was not planning on lecturing, I found a website, called VirtualHomeschoolGroup.com, where there are lectures based on the Apologia Biology curriculum. Our thought was to play the lecture in class on the first Tuesday to introduce the new module, and then use the other class times for review or labs, and tests.
I guess my basic question is, how do you recommend we use our time twice a week?
Also, regarding lab materials, do you recommend each student purchase their own materials, or is it reasonable to figure out the cost as a group, and just have everyone reimburse the facilitator?
If you do lecture, what do you say or how do you prepare for a lecture other than from what the book already says?
Thanks for all and any help you can give us.
-Lisa
Answers to questions above:
Since we meet twice a week, do you recommend that we go over the OYO and Study Guide questions in class, or are these sections that the students can check by themselves at home?
The OYO are meant for the students to check on their own. The answers are at the back of each module. The Study Guide is just that a study guide and is meant to be done by the student just before the test and is to be checked by the parent. The only thing I do for these two things, is to check that the student did them. I don’t give a grade, but they do get credit for them.
Also, do you suggest that the tests be taken at home or in class?
In my class the test are taken at home and under parental supervision. My class time with the students is spent with labs and lectures. The tests are graded by me. If they are handed in late, I lower the grade by 10.
I guess my basic question is, how do you recommend we use our time twice a week?
I like your suggestion of playing the lecture from VirtualHomeschool in class the first day. I usually lecture 30 to 45 minutes, and then do the lab. Sometimes the lab takes up most of the time and I might do a little lecturing while we do the lab. I do have time to give a pop-quiz and plays games sometimes. I plan for these well in advance.
Also, regarding lab materials, do you recommend each student purchase their own materials, or is it reasonable to figure out the cost as a group, and just have everyone reimburse the facilitator?
I have six students and three microscopes. Some days I am able to have two students to a microscopes, but I only have two complete sets of prepared slides. For the prepared slides I have three students to a microscope. When doing field work, gathering mushrooms, growing mold, etc., I require all students to do this individually, but we will share the results. For example, not all students will be able to find mushrooms or grow mold, but they have to give it a try.
For the dissection, I had all students order their own specimens. All are required to dissect in my class.
We did pull funds together to order replacement dissecting tools. Our co-op already had some and we just needed a few replacement. If they didn’t have it, I would have the students order them on their own. Order them NOW, so you will have them when you need them. Slides were already provided by another mom.
If you do lecture, what do you say or how do you prepare for a lecture other than from what the book already says?
I think I have gone over this some, on my blog. I take the time before the week of lecture, to do some research. Sometimes I am able to get photos off the internet to help reinforce what the books says. Sometimes I am able to find a video on YouTube and share that with the students. The books is so well written, that I don’t have to add too much to it.
Thanks for all and any help you can give us.
You’re welcome! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello Michelle,
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and help me sort out what we need to do for our co-op class. I was quite anxious and wasn’t sure what steps to take, but your reply has given me valuable direction and it is very much appreciated!
Thanks again!
Thank you for taking the time to record your ideas. Looking at your notes allows me to check that I’ve prepared well (especially in looking ahead on labs to come). I also love the links you provide and the creative ideas!
You’re welcome.