Fun with fungi and microorganisms

We're learning about microorganisms in science. It can be very thick text, so I try to seek out ways to make it fun and engaging. 

I found a nice printable worksheet for labeling a Light Microscope here:

http://biol104.weebly.com/uploads/6/0/6/1/6061714/microscope_worksheet_1.doc

I also found a worksheet that offers labels as well as fill-ins for definitions here:

http://sciencespot.net/Media/microparts.pdf

Mooshrooms

If you don't know what Mooshrooms are, they're cows in Minecraft that are covered in mushrooms. I don't see how that could be related to the phyla, but it keeps the kid interested.

I just happened to be taking an interest in making homemade bread as we started this section. It's incredibly easy with Rapid Rise yeast and only takes about an hour. The recipe is a great short-span way to explain how yeasts feed on sugar. Of course we discussed the difference between rapid rise and dry active. We trapped the finished loaves in a rubber bread bin as well as our regular method in which we store bread (cut-side down, covered with a paper bag). Then we waited a few days for the obvious smells and textures to occur. We chewed some of the bagged bread, but the sealed bread became too stinky and alarming to ingest. I'd suggest trying this recipe/experiment with each kind of yeast, dry milk,honey versus sugar...and using just an end of one loaf so that the rest of the bread can be enjoyed. The recipe for RR or Dry Active bread can be found here:

http://www.breadworld.com/recipes/Beginners-White-Bread

When we tried the same experiment with commercial bread, Austin found it alarming that there was no offensive smell from the sealed loaf. However, the bagged bread became stiff and crumbly. I'm surprised he still wants to eat commercial bread.

Flagellum 

These are microscopic organisms that move via a propeller or tail-like appendage. We remember it's transportation by relating it to flagellation. We compare its creation of a cyst to Ray's story of saving a fart in a coffee can until it could be fully 'appreciated' by others aka find complimentary living conditions. How's that for personalized learning?! My boys love a good fart joke, so it might as well be educational.