Living Things PDF

Living Things is the first unit in the Biology course. In this unit you will learn about the scientific method and lab safety, cells, microorganisms including bacteria, and classification. This unit has sections on:

• Biology Skills
• Cells
• Microorganisms
• Classification

This is an activity based curriculum, where you learn by doing. Here are a few of the activities to choose from in this unit:

• Learn about the scientific method by experimenting with gummy bear osmosis
• Build a simplified cell model with food
• Color and label cell diagrams
• Extract DNA in your kitchen
• Culture your own bacteria samples
• Collect and analyze tiny living things in pond water
• Use animal and plant cards to create your own system for classifying living things
• And much more!

Each Layers of Learning Science unit includes library lists of books, a family read-aloud suggestion, hands-on activities, printables and paper crafts, sidebars for extra learning, and tools to help you assess student’s progress and mastery. You can learn more about how Layers of Learning works in the Curriculum Guide. You may also want to purchase the Science Guidebook for even more information on how to teach and learn with Layers of Learning Science.

See Inside

Here is a two page spread from Living Things:

Sidebars with extra learning ideas and facts line the center section of lesson plans and hands-on activities. This is a pick-and-choose curriculum so you decide on the things that will fit your interest and needs. Along with your hands-on activities you will be reading books from the Library List and watching videos from the YouTube playlist. The reading and videos serve as the lecture and the activities serve as hooks to make learning deeper and memorable . . . not to mention fun.

Flexibility

This unit was written to be used for a month but contains plenty of content for many more weeks of learning if you choose. This is a pick-and-choose curriculum, meant to be cycled back to in the future when your child is older. As such, it intentionally includes far more material than you can possibly cover in a month.

Living Things is also part of the overall Biology course, the second Year of the four year Layers of Learning Science cycle. If you use the program in order, it will take you though the four branches of science from Earth & Space to Biology to Chemistry to Physics in a logical progression where skills are learned and then practiced and used. However, each unit stands alone and can be used independently of any other unit and in any order.

Printable Pack

This unit comes with a downloadable Printable Pack that includes all the student worksheets. The printables can be copied as many times as needed for your family or class.

You can download the Printable Pack from your receipt or from your account at Layers of Learning.

Extra Resources

This unit comes with extra weblinks and a YouTube video playlist on the Biology Resources page.