BIOLOGY

Biology Tuesdays at 10:00

HOmework Due Sept. 16.  Study for test on Module 1.  We will be taking our test next week, and if time doing some microscope work.

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Homework Due Sept. 9. Read Module 1 and do the study guide. Bring microscopes to class next week.

The text we will be using is Exploring Creation with Biology, 2^nd Edition, published by Apologia.

Note: The publishers have noted that due to extensive additions classes taught with students using the 1^st and 2^nd editions will encounter challenges. If you are purchasing the book be sure to purchase the 2^nd edition. If you have the first and wish to use it make sure that you also have the test and solutions manual.

This program is a thorough high school-level biology program designed for use at home. The authors recommend that students take this course at the same time they are taking Algebra I. The text is written in a conversational style, making it easy to read and understand. It contains student exercises (with detailed solutions), experiments, and tests (with detailed solutions). Primary topics: General Introduction to Biology; Monerans (bacteria); Protists (protozoans and algae); Fungi; the Chemistry of Life (atoms, elements, molecules, osmosis and diffusion, photosynthesis, enzymes, etc.); Cells; Cellular Reproduction; Genetics; Ecosystems (including discussions of symbiosis, and the water, oxygen and carbon cycles); Invertebrates; Arthropods; Chordates; Plant Anatomy and Classification; Plant Physiology and Reproduction; Reptiles, Birds and Mammals.

Text is accompanied by full-color photos and illustrations throughout. Price includes free curricular support from the author. A sample lesson may be viewed at the Apologia Science web site.

Note: The experiments in the course are designed to be done at home, but about half of them require some specialized equipment, including a high-quality microscope. Sonlight Curriculum, as well as other suppliers offer a microscope laboratory set to accompany the course, as well as a dissection laboratory kit. Also Note: Many colleges look for at least one lab science on a student’s transcript. In order to gain hands-on experience with a microscope, as is often included in a lab course, you may wish to purchase the Microscopy Supplies Kit .

Purchasing a microscope is not required, but will be most helpful to your students. Those students that have microscopes at home will bring them to class on lab days. I would strongly suggest that all students purchase the dissection kit. This is a description of the Sonlight dissection kit that goes with the book.
Includes three disposable dissection pans; T-pins; scissors; forceps; scalpel; dropping pipet; vinyl ruler; teasing needle; case to hold all the above tools; complete step-by-step descriptive dissection manuals for each animal (includes more information and detailed instructions than the textbook offers on its own); four specimens packaged in an easy-to-open container:

• frog

• crayfish

• yellow perch

• worm

The animal specimens are initially preserved in the best preservative possible: formaldehyde. Problem is, as you would know if you’ve done dissections before, formaldehyde is an obnoxious-smelling, toxic liquid. That’s why we displaced the formaldehyde with water, then displaced the water with a glycol solution. You enjoy a very decay-resistant specimen, but without any toxic fumes or messy liquids! (Use specimens within a year of purchase for best quality.)