Middle School Physical Science (Year Long: Grades 5-8)

Physical Science

Grades 5-8

Full Year Course (2 Semesters)

Students can sign up for 1 semester for review purposes, or to be used as an introduction to physical science. But it is recommended that you sign up for both semesters to receive a full year credit in middle school physical science.  A condensed version is also available.

17 Week/Unit Semester Format

Enrollment: Open All Year.

Physical Science is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-6 and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science. This course is designed as a survey course of chemistry and physics. This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion andforces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior. Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry. This class has a lab component, so in addition to curriculum students will be expected to complete 3-4 labs per month. 

Standards:

SPS1. Students will investigate our current understanding of the atom.

SPS2. Students will explore the nature of matter, its classifications, and its system for naming types of matter.

SPS3. Students will distinguish the characteristics and components of radioactivity.

SPS4. Students will investigate the arrangement of the Periodic Table.

SPS5. Students will compare and contrast the phases of matter as they relate to atomic and molecular motion.

SPS6. Students will investigate the properties of solutions.

SPS7. Students will relate transformations and flow of energy within a system.

SPS8. Students will determine relationships among force, mass, and motion.

SPS9. Students will investigate the properties of waves.  

Topics:

Lab Equipment/Methods of Science & Measurement/States of Matter 

Classification of Matter/Solutions 

Properties of Atoms & The Periodic Table/Elements and their Properties

Motion & Speed/Forces 

Energy/Thermal Energy

Nuclear Energy 

Ionic and Covalent Bonds

Acids and Bases

Simple machines 

Waves & Sound/Electro Magnetic Radiation

Electricity & Magnetism/Electric Current

Platform: Google Classroom, Quizizz, Quizlet, and Flipgrid

Requirements: Student will need wifi access and headphones. Parents will need to assure from home the students can access Google Classroom. In GC, students will work on 5-7 mini assignments/lessons/labs a week. Students will use their home computer or the Google Classroom app to upload work in images and video responses. 

Curriculum: All curriculum will be provided in pdf format-Cengage, Lumen Learning, CK-12, GA Virtual Lessons, and Holt. 

Learning Models Available-

This course is offered self paced, this is best for students who would like to move at a slower or accelerated pace. It is also great for students who like to work without strict deadlines for assignments. Parents can teach from the self pace curriculum or assign independent work. 

This course is also offers as an instructor led course. With this option the student would meet with Mrs. Collins via Zoom 12 times during the 17 week semester for instruction, help with labs, projects and more. Families can schedule a time slot that works with everyone's schedule. With the instructor led option, the student would have weekly deadlines for assignments. 

This course is also offered in a condensed version which is great for co-ops, private schools, or charter schools looking to add in a physical science introduction course but when only one semester is available. A full year can be condensed into one semester on the platform but does require dedication. It is recommended that the student dedicate 30 minutes minimum a day to the course Monday-Friday if the course is used in a condensed format.

Below you will also find optional assessments options. If your child has recently left the school system and you would love to check where they are or what topics have been mastered in Physical Science then the pre assessment is recommended. If the student has just completed Physical Science and you would like to check grade level knowledge before registering for another course then the grade level assessment is recommended.