Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Dr. Karen Joseph
View LS1 Syllabus View LS2 Syllabus
Live, online life science class for grades 6-8. The full-year course covers zoology, botany, and human biology. It may be taken as a full-year course or as individual semester courses. Life Science 1 is not a prerequisite for Life Science 2.
Life Science 1: Zoology, First Semester
Do you love animals and want to know more about them? If so, this is the course for you. Did you know that the loudest animal on earth is a shrimp? Or that the Portuguese Man-of-War is not a single animal but a colony of many animals? Or that some mammals lay eggs? Or that some kangaroos spend most of the time up in the treetops?
There is so much to learn about the animal kingdom. We’ll use an amazing book, teacher-created lessons, lots of videos, audio recordings, games, and activities to gain an understanding of how to interact with the other living things that share this planet with us. This course begins with a discussion of the characteristics all animals share, the way animals are classified, animal behavior, and life cycles. Then we will study the classes in Kingdom Animalia, including invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The final topics include habitats and conservation.
Course Structure
A typical week contains one 1-hour live Zoom class and 4 daily lessons. The live classes may include game-based reviews of topics from the previous week, an introduction to the coming week, and/or a case study that brings the current topic to life. Although it is always best if students attend the live classes, I will post the recording of the class so that students who can’t attend can watch it later.
The daily lessons will include an online introduction as well as a section to read in the book Animal for Life Science 1 and a teacher-created online curriculum for Life Science 2. I use many audio and video recordings to help students learn the correct pronunciation of new terms as well as to reinforce content from the book.
Since this course can be used as ½ credit of life science, a few additional writing assignments and projects may be given to students in grades 7 and 8.
Life Science 2: Botany and Human Biology, Second Semester
In this course we will learn about plants and people. We will spend a few weeks learning about the importance and diversity of the plant kingdom. And of course, since plants are edible, we will do some activities that involve eating. Next, we’ll learn about the structure and function of all the parts of the human body. In this part of the class, you’ll learn about you. We’ll start with a discussion of cells and genetics, and then we’ll dive deep into the systems of the human body, learning how they function and how they work together to keep you moving and processing the world around you.
Course Structure
A typical week contains one 1-hour live Zoom class and 4 daily lessons. The live classes may include game-based reviews of topics from the previous week, an introduction to the coming week, and/or a case study that brings the current topic to life. Although it is always best if students attend the live classes, I will post the recording of the class so that students who can’t attend can watch it later.
The daily lessons will consist of a teacher-created online curriculum. I use many audio and video recordings to help students learn the correct pronunciation of new terms as well as to reinforce content from the book.
Since this course can be used as ½ credit of life science, a few additional writing assignments and projects may be given to students in grades 7 and 8.
Who should enroll?
Life Science 1: Zoology is for curious students in grades 6–8 who have a strong desire to understand how and why different animals are designed and behave, and to learn how animals interact with humans, other animals, and their environments. When combined with Life Science 2: Botany and Human Biology, these courses, which both include a lab component, will provide one middle school science credit. Fifth graders will be considered with prior instructor approval.
Life Science 2: Botany and Human Biology is for curious students in grades 6–8 who have a strong desire to understand how plants function in the environment, and how they give us not just food, but oxygen. This course is also for students who want to know how their bodies function and stay healthy. When combined with Life Science 1: Zoology, these courses, which both include a lab component, will provide one middle school science credit. Fifth graders will be considered with prior instructor approval.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Headset, microphone, and webcam (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
I use “learning checks” at the end of most lessons to assure both the student and teacher that students understand the concepts presented in the lessons. Many of the learning checks are automatically graded by the computer. For the essay questions and projects, I generally grade every day, sending feedback to the students to help them understand questions they may have missed.
A final grade will be based on the scores from learning checks, participation in activities and experiments. and attendance and participation in live classes. A Certificate of Completion with a final grade will be given at the end of the course.
Communication
I welcome any and all communication from parents. My goal is to partner with you in your student’s education, so if at any time you have questions or concerns, my virtual door is open. I send monthly progress reports to let you know how your student is doing in the course.
Melissa E. Hughs –
Dr. Joseph is a very knowledgeable teacher with a personality that is lively, energetic and that engages my children’s interest. I feel so comfortable and at ease with my children at Dr. Joseph science classes because I know they are covering appropriate level STEM science course material learning valuable research, critical thinking and responsibility skills.
Also, Dr. Joseph kept me posted on the progress of my children and, that is priceless when you know a teacher is really observing the progress of your child and partnering with you to do all things necessary for their success. Thank you Dr. Joseph
Ellie Southall –
Such a fun and informative class! Went into it with not much information on this topic, but ending this class I had learned so much and am extremely excited for my next science class! My teacher was incredible and would help out whenever I needed it! The Canvas platform was very easy to use and helped me stay on track with all my assignments. By far my favorite and most intriguing subject I’ve ever done before! 5/5!
Pritt Changwatchai –
This was a super fun class and we learned so much. This is easily my favorite class in my homeschooling experience, and I hope I can have the same teacher some other time!
Athena Vaporis (verified owner) –
Dr. Joseph was truly amazing. Her energy is infectious and she truly engages the students. She takes the time to not only provide feedback on assignments but she even just encourages the students with small messages and written praise. My daughter truly loved her class and cannot say enough positive things about her as a teacher and person. Thank you, Dr. Joseph! Looking forward to class with you next year!
Melanie (verified owner) –
My son loved Dr. Joseph’s class so much! I loved the conversations we had at the dinner table centered around all that he had learned. He learned things I didn’t get exposed to until high school…and I went to a magnet school for health professions! He said, “You can tell Dr. Joseph loves her job, and she makes learning fun because of it. The work was challenging, yet she made it fun.”
Jill Shelton (verified owner) –
Dr. Joseph is professional, kind, and an expert in her field. She keeps the class fun and informative. Andrew loved it! We highly recommend any and all of her classes. As a mom of a (high functioning, but needs work in engaging) autistic teen, I was apprehensive about enrolling him for an online class. Dr. Joseph made his year amazing and he learned so much from her. We have already signed up for next years science (Biology) with Dr Joseph. We highly recommend Dr. Joseph.
Nancy Shadlow (verified owner) –
I am a mom who values Dr. Joseph’s expertise and enthusiasm. She is organized, prepared, knowledgeable and clear. Her joyful personality is infectious. Great teachers love their discipline and guide their students with a passion you can’t manufacture. Dr. Joseph does this. It is important for whoever reads this know that Dr. Joseph provides assignments and learning opportunities every day. Not every instructor does this. (I wish they did.) Dr. Joseph has my full recommendation.
Tali Kean –
I love Dr. Joseph!! She makes all the lessons so fun. I always look forward to Mondays now because of her class. I have learned so much about all kinds of different animals. This was my first year homeschooling and she made the transition so much easier!! All of the reading is engaging and fun. I hate bugs but she made the lesson on them as fun and quick as possible.
I would 100% recommend any of Dr. Joseph’s classes.
Ari Rapoport –
This class is my favorite class I ever took! The class was really fun and tough me so many things about zoology. Dr. Karen Joseph was a super fun and nice teacher, and she was always there to hep me if I had any problems. I always thought that science would be a hard and boring subject, but Dr. Joseph turned it into a subject that is easy and fun. This class was a lot of fun and because of the amazing teacher, I signed up for the second semester of this class, and I am totally loving it. I highly recommend this class!
Grace Wolin –
Dr. Karen Joseph is by far my favorite teacher ever! Her zoom classes are full of fun learning games like Kahoot. She also lets us do case studies and talk about real problems and how we can try and fix them! I would recommend this class for animal lovers or just anyone who would like to work with a amazing teacher.
Liliana S. –
I loved this class! I can honestly say that everything I learned and will learn in Life Science 1 and 2 will stick with me forever. Dr. Joseph is wonderful, and she is a great teacher. I look forward to completing my science lesson because I learn so much! The class is so informative, my mom sometimes listens in from her desk!
Hojung –
I’ve always loved animals and this class taught me so much about them! Dr. Joseph is an amazing teacher and she knows exactly how much information to put in each lesson before you get confused. All the activities, experiments, and projects made this course even more enjoyable! There’s only one thing to be said: BEST SCIENCE CLASS EVER.
Veronica I (verified owner) –
We can not express enough gratitude for Dr. Karen Joseph! Especially in such a time as this, when we had never before taken an online course, there were reservations on our part. However, Dr. Karen Joseph was incredibly delightful, engaging and made communicating with ease. If your child enjoys hands-on learning, then this class is perfect! She includes weekly experiments and or activities for the students. My daughter is excited about enrolling in more courses with AIM. Thank you for such a great first experience!!
Jessica Larson –
I really enjoyed taking this class. It was informative, it was fun, and Dr. Joseph was a really nice and helpful teacher. If you had a question or something then she would always respond and I overall liked all the activities that we did in class. I would definitely recommend this class if you’re looking for a nice teacher and great class.
Tara Ortiz (verified owner) –
Dr. Joseph is an incredibly kind and engaging instructor. My daughter learned so many different things with enthusiasm and a new found love for Science. I can give all the credit to her amazing teacher as she taught the kids with variety in her lessons and creativity in assignments. Her communication with me was very thorough and I appreciated that. We are looking forward to another semester with Dr. Joseph. Highly recommend!
Robin (verified owner) –
My daughter has thoroughly enjoyed this class! She has learned a lot and always looks forward to class. Dr. Joseph makes the material fun and keeps the students excited and engaged.
Cheyenne Fields –
This class was a great class!!!! Thank you Dr. Joseph for a very good class. I learned a lot from your science class. I would definetley want to attend your class in the future. Not only was the learning great but I also made really good friends. I enjoyed this class and I am thankful that my Mom signed me up. Thank you Dr. Joseph!
Meski Zgirdea –
This class was fantastic! I loved everything but mostly fun facts. I learned a lot and looking forward to the next semester. This was my favorite class.
Claire Ludwick –
This is an awesome class! I learned so many new things after each assignment. And best of all, Dr. Joseph makes everything fun! From live classes to even the assignment quizzes. This science class is my absolute favorite!
Dr. Joseph is the best teacher ever!! I guarantee you will be saying that too when you take one of her classes 😀
Carolyn Mattingly (verified owner) –
This class has been so interesting and informative for my daughter. Dr. Joseph made learning fun, and she makes the connection of science and every-day-life easy to see. She is a special teacher. I can honestly say that this is my daughter’s favorite class this year. I am so excited that Dr. Joseph is now teaching Biology; Athena has already signed up!