A few weeks ago they began a unit on ratio, proportion, and scaling. This very important concept will be a theme throughout middle school and beyond. The algebra group finished their unit on linear, inverse, and exponential equations and graphs. Now they are applying algebraic concepts to the Pythagorean theorem. During this focus on the classification of living organisms, students made first-hand observations of many different life forms, including bacteria, paramecia, amoebas, microscopic crustaceans such as cyclops, ostacods, and seed shrimp, fungi, lichens, salamanders, frogs, insects, and trees.
All students are now very capable with both the compound and the dissecting microscopes.
All are able to create dry and wet slides, and we have had some experiences staining slides. To complete our tour of the five kingdoms of living things, we are briefly studying the Animal Kingdom. We are currently dissecting eastern lubber grasshoppers to see the anatomy of a typical arthropod. We hope to dissect squids next. Along with anatomy, we are learning about safe dissection procedures, how to work with a partner, and how to make careful scientific drawings.