Biology for Layers of Learning (Year Two)

Layers of Learning Biology offers a perfectly balanced family learning science course that includes ample content and laboratory opportunities to meet traditional high school lab credit. The key here is flexibility, with options for all ages. Parents can choose activities based on student ages, abilities, and interests. The first unit, Living Things, begins with the scientific method and scientific sketching, lab safety, and using a microscope. Students then study cells, microorganisms, and the classification system. Unit 2, Biodiversity, teaches genetics and DNA, adaptation, natural selection, epigenetics, and speciation. Darwin’s theory of evolution is studied. Students are encouraged to reason through beliefs like “if evolution is true does that automatically mean God is not true?” and answering questions about the origins of life. This is done without biblical instruction/references, and parents are encouraged to teach children their own personal beliefs about the evolutionary process. Unit 3, Plants, looks at plant cells and the parts of the plant, photosynthesis, simple plants (moss and ferns), conifers, flowering plants, fungi, spores, and mold. The next unit, Invertebrates, focuses on the phyla: Arthropoda, Mollusca, cnidaria, porifera, Echinodermata, and Annelida. In this unit, dissection is introduced as older students are encouraged to dissect an earthworm, starfish, and grasshopper. The following unit, Cold-Blooded Vertebrates, covers aquatic life (fish, shark, seahorse), amphibians, and reptiles. The older learner will dissect a frog. Next, is the Warm- Blooded Vertebrates unit, which covers birds and mammals. Fetal pigs are dissected. Ecology follows with students learning about ecosystems, hibernation, conservation, extinction, and decomposition studied. The next unit, the Human Body, covers the skeletal and muscle systems, skin, circulation, respiration, digestion, and the brain and nerves. Older students will dissect a sheep heart and brain, and the cow eye. The final unit, Health, teaches the immune system, nutrition, and exercise, caring for our bodies, and the reproductive system. Students will learn about germs, viruses and pathogens, vaccinations, macro/micronutrients, drugs and addiction, and mental and emotional health. The final section in the unit covers the reproductive system and includes male and female reproduction, menstruation, pregnancy and fetal development, and sexually transmitted infections. Parents are encouraged to have age-appropriate discussions with children regarding these topics, and the authors have provided a variety of teaching tips on the topics. A suggested list of library books and You Tube® videos are included to enrich the lessons.  Students will also need access to a notebook and paper (or the Layers of Learning Science Notebook #029663), the internet, art and craft supplies and other household items. As a family focused, multilevel curriculum, there are a lot of options and flexibility built into each unit. Recommended core books used throughout the year include: the DK Encyclopedia of Science (#004894), the Usborne Science Encyclopedia and the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia. If unable to find one of these options, any quality Children’s Encyclopedia will work–parents will need to align lessons with chapters and page numbers.

Depending on the age(s) of your children, required supplies for the experiments include: 250 ml and three 150 ml Beakers, Graduated Cylinder, Electronic Balance, Compound Light Microscope (40,100, 400x), Blank microscope slides and covers, Methylene Blue, Prepared Microscope slides (Biology Slide Set that includes mitosis, a leaf cross section, muscle tissue, and human skin), seeds (bean and corn), dry beans and split peas, iodine, spider plant, petri dishes with agar, sterile cotton swabs, disposable gloves, distilled water, dropper, blood typing kit, magnifying glass, Identification Guides (Plant, Mammal, and Tree), plywood, sandpaper, a dissection kit and the following specimens (worm, starfish, frog, sheep heart, sheep brain, cow eye, and owl pellet), fish tank and supplies, chicken thigh bone, bonemeal fertilizer and all-purpose fertilizer, beef marrow bones, vinegar, and Baker’s Yeast. Additional outdoor/nature and household items are also used.