Science for Beginners: Living Things

In From Wonder to Mastery, John D. Mays recommends to “introduce students early to appropriate ways of thinking and speaking about science…we should endeavor, even in these early years, to help children develop an appropriate vocabulary for talking about how science works.” This introductory course will teach lower school students how to talk and think like young scientists as they are introduced to the history of science, scientific terms, and the scientific method.

Focusing on discoveries in the study of living things, students will learn about pioneering scientists and how their curiosity and compassion led them to the study of living things. Students will be introduced to the concepts of beginning Life Science (and Biology).

Class time will include read-alouds, discussions, “show and tell” type activities, observations, and viewing simple experiments. Outside class time, students will have assignments which include reading and journaling with an emphasis on wonder and observation of God’s creation and science in daily life. Students will work on one project at the end of each quarter culminating in an invention showcase at the end of the year.

Required Materials:
Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course.

Required

Pencil
Colored pencils (at least 6 colors)
Eraser
Sharpener
Blank paper or a simple sketchbook
Notebook or binder for narration pages
Glue stick (for adding printed pages)
Scissors
Ruler
Soil
paper cup
tomato, bean, or herb seeds
Plaster of Paris
Water
Whipped topping containers (2)
Spoon
Measuring cup
Scissors
Paper clip (optional)
Plastic bags
Old paint brush (½” flat works well)
Old toothbrush (soft bristles)

Recommended and/or Instructor Provided:
The instructor will provide several free options for printing PDFs. Please ensure printing capability.

Gaelen and the Gateway to Medicine
Karl Get Out of the Garden
The Little Plant Doctor - Dr.George Washington Carver
A Seed Is Sleepy
In the Garden with Dr Carver
Beatrix Potter, Scientist
Out of School and Into Nature
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures
Tracks, Scats, and Signs
Habitats of the World (DK Panorama)
Alexander von Humboldt
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader edition)
Spray paint (optional)

Mrs. Brenda Tchoundjo

[email protected]

Brenda Tchoundjo holds a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with Technology (MATLT) from Ashford University and is certified in Teaching English as a Second Language. With a rich background spanning child development centers, community colleges, military programs, and homeschool co-ops, Brenda brings a dynamic, learner-centered approach to education.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—tailoring instruction to diverse learning styles and neurodivergent needs including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Brenda’s experience with Department of Defense Dependent Schools and US Army Child and Youth Services has equipped her with a versatile toolkit of pedagogical strategies.

Her oldest daughter graduated from a classical school and is currently attending college, having earned Summa Cum Laude and Rhetorician of her class. Currently homeschooling her two sons, Brenda was introduced to Scholé Academy through The Center for Students with Learning Differences (CSLD), where the care her family received in differentiated instruction made her a lover of classical education. She soon became a tutor herself, deepening her secular knowledge of education with the rich and layered approach of a classical Christian education. Brenda began teaching corporate book club, writing and nature science classes in 2025.

Outside the classroom, Brenda finds joy in arts and crafts, reading historical fiction, nature walks with her family and toy poodle, church attendance with her family, women’s Bible study, homeschooling co-op and community events, and supporting her husband’s military career.

Quarter 1

Focus: Curiosity, Character, and the Birth of Scientific Thinking”
Book: Gaelen and the Gateway to Medicine
Project: Scientist Mini book of observations (pdf from teacher)

Quarter 2

Focus: Wonder, Order, and Care in the Plant World
**Books: **Karl Get Out of the Garden, The Little Plant Doctor - Dr. George Washington Carver, A Seed Is Sleepy, In the Garden with Dr Carver
Project: Plant Doctor Care Kit

Quarter 3

Focus: Naturalists, Tracks & Animal Clues
Books: Beatrix Potter, Scientist; Out of School and Into Nature; The Girl Who Thought in Pictures; Tracks, Scats, and Signs
Project: Animal Track Casting

Quarter 4

Focus: Habitats, Exploration & Human Ingenuity
Books: Habitats of the World (DK Panorama), Alexander von Humboldt, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader edition)
Project: Invention Showcase

Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.

High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.

Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)

Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm

Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:

Visit zoom.us/download.
Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
Open and run the installer on your computer.
In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.

Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.

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