unSocialized Free Resources for Home Education

If you're doing life science with your middle schoolers this year, these sites can help:

Science-Class.net: Many free science resources for elementary and middle-school grades. The section on cells features activities and labs, slideshows, games and quizzes, and links to interactives and other resources. 

Biology Corner: Another site with many lesson plans, worksheets and activities focusing on anatomy, biology and physics. The section on cells features lab activities, study guides, and interactive lessons.

Cells Are Us: Free middle-school curriculum with five instructional units. More emphasis is placed on cell functions, (rather than structure), and includes activities.

Cells Alive: Interactive illustrations of animal, plant and bacteria cells. View the site's BioCams to see cells growing. Downloadable worksheets are also available.

Chapter on Cells: 24 pages

Making Cell Models: Links to instructions for making cell models using all kinds of materials, including clay, Karo syrup, jello, and more jello. 

Cell Download: Instructional slides from a teacher's site featuring information on cell theory, cell cycle, cellular respiration, cell similarities, cell structure and function.

Online Cell Games

CellCraft: Learn about how a cell functions while helping it survive in hostile environments.

Gear up for the big event, and learn more about the sun, with these free resources:

What You'll See: Type in your zip code to see what your eclipse experience will be. Do some comparisons to locations of friends and family.

Learn about solar eclipses and the characteristics of the sun with these PBS LearningMedia resources. 

Difference between a lunar and solar eclipse.

NASA Eclipse Kit and Activity Guide.

Free Lessons: Here's one from Kids Discover, and another from Mystery Science.

Here's a list of solar eclipse activities, and additional resources. 

View an eclipse infographic:

Free Science Reader:

DIY Sun Science: Free app with 13 hands-on activities for doing your own sun explorations.

The University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center offers two sites for learning the basics of DNA:

LearnGenetics: Here, you’ll be presented with an animated tour of DNA, videos that explain how genetic traits are passed from one generation to the next, and a look inside of a cell. You can see how cells compare in size to molecules, atoms, and other objects, and build a DNA molecule.

TeachGenetics: The companion website to the one above, here, you’ll find ready-to-use “print-and-go” activities with instructions, worksheets, visuals, and answer keys. For example, you can download Have Your DNA and Eat It Too which includes instructions for making edible DNA with Twizzlers and mini marshmallows.

More Readings, Videos and Activities: 

Glencoe textbook chapters on: Mendel and Meiosis; DNA and Genes; Patterns of Heredity; Genetic Technology.

Punnett Squares Virtual Lab

Make a Monster Traits Activity and Instructions

Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Learn about DNA, stem cells, and genomics and chemical genetics, among other topics. Most topics feature videos, animations, interactives, and articles. In the “Classroom” section of the site, you will find activities and teachers guides.

DNA From the Beginning: Readings, animations and videos covering topics in Genetics.

BrainPop on Heredity