Transcript Thunderbolt Science

th
7
Grade Life Science
Investigations in
Environmental Science
Course Description
• Builds Upon Experiences & Provides Foundation
• Four Content Strands
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Observing Living Things
Understanding Populations and Ecosystems
Chesapeake Bay
Exploring Heredity and Diversity
• Strands developed through variety of instructional strategies
– Emphasis on observation, experimentation, discussion, generalization
and application, 85% Hands-On---Learn Through Doing
• Learn concepts in a variety of ways
– laboratory investigation, making predictions, designing experiments,
collect and organize data in charts and graphs, models, communicate
results
• Computer technologies integrated with instruction
– CD-ROMS, interactive videodisc, digital camera, application
software, flex camera, laser disc players. wireless lab stations
First Semester
• Students investigate interactions of living things
with environment
• Observations, Scientific Drawing
– Work in small groups to build mini ecosystems
– Make detailed observations and inferences about the
interdependence of living and nonliving things
– Create Food Chains and Food Webs
– Apply basic ecological concepts to explore human interactions
with Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Second Semester
• Students investigate characteristics of living things
– Classification
– Experimental Design
– Use compound microscopes to observe a variety of
plant and animal cells to see similarities and differences
– Study pattern of organization in multicellular organisms, look at
cell processes – osmosis, diffusion, photosynthesis
– Review life processes of living things
– Introduced to genetic principles of how living
things pass traits from one generation to the next, DNA
– Change over time
Investigating Matter & Energy
th
8
grade Physical Science
Course Description
• The 8th grade physical science course, titled
“Investigating Matter and Energy,” builds upon the
physical science experiences introduced in upper
elementary school.
• There are three content strands developed through a
sequence of varied instructional strategies with an
emphasis on experimentation, observation,
generalization, application, and discussion.
• Students learn physical science concepts through
hands-on laboratory investigations.
Concept strands
Energy
Matter
Force
Investigating Matter & Its Changes
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Through hands-on experiences, students
examine different types of matter and create
generalizations about the nature of matter
including physical and chemical changes.
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They build on their knowledge of the atom and
study the organization of the periodic table to
gain a better understanding of chemicals and
their properties.
Topics
Physical Properties
Mass, Volume, Density
Atoms & the Periodic Table
Chemical Bonds
Chemical Reactions
Acids & Bases
Investigating Energy & Its Changes
• Students analyze energy
transformations and apply their
general knowledge of the forms of
energy to understand the how
work occurs.
• Hand-on activities focus on
particular forms of energy and
their application to gain a deeper
understanding of these concepts.
Topics
Forms of Energy
Heat & Temperature
Waves, Light & Sound
Electricity & Magnetism
Investigating Forces & Motion
• Students form a stronger
conceptual understanding of
work, force and motion.
• Activities engage students in
learning the relationships of
physics principles. They are
Topics
designed to build confidence in
Force & Motion
examining and discussing
Speed, Velocity & Acceleration
physics concepts based on data
Newton’s Laws
and theoretical knowledge.
Work & Power
Mechanical Advantage
Efficiency
STUDENT GOALS
Communicating
Thinking
Collaborating
Problem-Solving
Professional
Meeting Standards
Other Items
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Binders/Lab Manuals/Textbook
Planners
Tests/Review
Portfolio Folders
Blackboard
Keys for Success
• Organization
– Planners
– Homework buddies
– Blackboard
• Get Involved
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Team Events
Team Parent
Clubs/Activities
Dances
• Study Skills
– Study Space at Home
– Review notes/chapter
– Study-Quiz-Study
• Parent/Guardian
– Check Homework
– Check Planner
– We need your help