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:

• First, read the course materials below before the first class recording.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each class recording.

• Read assignments before class recordings.

• Watch that class's recording.

• Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that class.

• 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

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:

• Class 1: Introduction

• Class 2: Foxes: Are they dogs? Wolves and teeth.

• Class 3: Coyotes, Jackals and other canids, the skull; Sporting breeds

• Class 4: Hounds and skeletons

• Class 5: Ears, and a quick review

• Class 6: Skin, hair and fur, Terriers

• Class 7: Non-sporting dogs and the muscles

• Class 8: Toy breeds and The Circulatory system

• Class 9: Working Dogs and digestion

• Class 10: Herding dogs and the Brain

• Class 11: Gestation, birth and development; designer breeds

• Class 12: Coat color and name that breed game

Course Materials: Access to a dog; Any/favorite book(s) about dogs. Reading and online resources will be available on the course site.

Homework: Automated quizzes for immediate feedback, memorization of bones and breeds!

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

If you have any questions please contact us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2021 Homeschool Connections and MacBeth Derham. All rights reserved. This course is designed by MacBeth Derham.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws. 

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.