Homeschooled Biology

So we are halfway through high school with the first kid. You would think that means that the second time through ought to be a piece of cake. Humph! When #1 went through Biology, he was in a co-op class with several other kids and had a teacher who is a nurse. I basically sat back and let it happen.

#2 is not so lucky, or I should say, I am not so lucky! That friend was unable to teach this year, so I am on Biology duty. I liked Biology in high school, enough to actually take two years of it and then another class in college. But teaching it is another thing altogether. I have to remind myself what is going on, AND I have to come up with labs to perform. So the house looks a bit odd at times this year.

 During our study of spores and fungi, we grew some mushrooms in the kitchen window. They had bluish-gray tops and were actually kind of pretty. You are supposed to be able to eat them, but we were on theater time at that point, and we didn't manage eating them.

 Below was an experiment to see how far spores can travel. We did this in the diningroom. After it was over I realized, outside might have been a better idea! They can travel pretty far and wide.

 We have also taken a trip to a museum in Raleigh. The microscopes in the class were fabulous! The kids were able to see some pretty cool things floating around some pond water. Sort of made you appreciate chlorinated pools! #1 was even able to go on the trip with us, so his Biology knowledge was added to even after two years!

 This is a friend of ours who is also taking Biology this year. She is auditing the class at the university for her lectures, but she can't take the labs because of her age. So we are getting together for a few of the labs, and she joined us on the field trip. below she and her brother came over to our house to dissect Echinoderms. The Star fish wasn't too bad, but the sea cucumber was really nasty.

 Here is my boy after the field trip class enjoying a Starbucks hot chocolate while we wait on brother at the radio station. We have another class coming up. I imagine he will expect another chocolate! At least he is cute when he drinks it.