Join us for this fun 6-8th grade science course exploring our furry friends! Learn where domestic dogs came from, different dogs around the world, different breeds, as well as some anatomy and genetics.
How to get the most out of The Dog: Natural History, Artificial Selection, and Anatomy with MacBeth Derham:
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First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.
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Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.
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Read assignments before class meetings
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Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.
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Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
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Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.
Total Classes: 12
Duration: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 8th grade
Suggested Credit: One full semester Science, Life Science, or Natural History
Instructor: MacBeth Derham
Instructor Email: macbethderham@gmail.com
Course Description: All about dogs, where they came from, their relatives, why we love them, and what makes each breed good at what they do. This is a great introduction to vertebrate anatomy.
Course Outline:
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Week 1: Introduction
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Week 2: Foxes: Are they dogs?
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Week 3: Wolves, Coyotes, the skull
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Week 4: Other wild Canids
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Week 5: Sporting dogs and
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Week 6: Hounds and the skeleton
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Week 7: Non-sporting dogs and the muscles
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Week 8: Toy breeds and circulation
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Week 9: Working Dogs and digestion
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Week 10: Terriers and excretion
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Week 11: Herding breeds and birth and development
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Week 12: Mixed breeds and behavior
Course Materials: Access to a dog; Any/favorite book(s) about dogs. Reading and online resources will be available on the course site.
Homework: Weekly automated quizzes for immediate feedback, memorization of bones and breeds!
- Teacher: MacBeth Derham