Need bio lab help, pretty please!

[laughing lioness]

I have a small group of students and we are doing Apologia together. The problem: Everything here is frozen solid so I can't get pond scum. (labs 1-4) The prepared slides were lost in the fire and the ones I ordered havne't arrived yet. That's labs 2-4. Ack! I need ideas for labs and help about how to think outside the box here. I have a good microsope and unprepared slides and eager students but not the stuff in the book.

[MamaT]

I don't have my Biology book in front of me, but if you'll tell me what slides you need I could send them to you quickly (we have shipping stores, so no problem) until yours come. We aren't using them this year, so you are welcome to use mine.

[laughing lioness]

Tammy,
You're gonna make me cry! Thanks for even thinking of this:001_smile:. I do have them on order- it's just what to do this week?

[April in CA]

Good Morning, Lisa!
Even here in "sunny Southern California," we occasionally have days like that, too, where labs don't cooperate with the weather or the lab stuff I was SURE was in the box wasn't...so, I can feel your pain!
Here are some ideas! Go to YouTube (you do this, not the kids, because you can find some really bizarre stuff if you start looing at parasite videos - as I learned froim experience!) and search for video clips of the critters you want to observe - you will find some very cool stuff, and you and the lab students will get to see some great detail. Have the students draw and describe what they are seeing. On the home front, you can use those blank slides to make cheek cell smears if you have the proper stain. You can do this with the very thin membrane that separates layers of onion as well, and even with very thin smears of banana (use a Q-tip and a ripe banana). I f you have any house plants that have young leaves you can try looking at them under the scope. You can have the kids think outside the cell, if you will, and have them make slides using thread, newsprint, paper towel, hair, dust, really just about anything that they might enjoy getting a closer look at under the scope. Maybe even snow! They would have to look quick, thought before the light causes it to melt! Just have fun with it! Your new slides will arrive soon, I'm sure, and all will be well!
Here is a fun idea for genetics - google dragon genetics lab and find one that you can adapt for your group - a very fun way to learn about genetics!
Enjoy your lab day!
Blessings,
April

[laughing lioness]

April,
Wonderful ideas! Thank-you soo much. Great ideas. I think I'll survive :001_smile:

[April in CA]

You are very welcome, Lisa - I hope labs are lots of fun and full of learning for you and the students! Isn't it great to learn along with our children? I finally feel like I am getting a handle on chemistry after doing it with two sons and a variety of lab friends!
Blessings,
April

[laughing lioness]

We did the labs useing YouTubes and it was a blast. I might actually do this more with the "prepared" slides because I can have more than 1 student viewing at a time and they ended up discussing and talking about what they knew/ sharing info and pointing out they had to i.d. for thier lab notebook. Great idea!