7th Grade
Students will apply the inquiry process throughout the year while studying three major units or modules. Students may conduct controlled experiments and create models or simulations to explore the relationship between two variables and compare their answers with what scientists already know about the world. Students will become aware of the interdependence between science and technology and appreciate how science drives technology to help solve human problems.
|
Units |
Areas of Focus |
Assessment Tools |
|
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Energy, Machines, and Motion Module |
Types of energy and where they
are located in a system
Energy transfers and
transformations
Forces (including friction and
unbalanced forces) |
FOR ALL UNITS
Class and homework written assignments
and readings
Class and lab participation
Lab Reflections
Classroom and module based quizzes
and tests
End of module District Assessments
DURING THE YEAR
At least two Formal Lab Reports
At least one module based project with
class presentation |
|
EARTH SCIENCE
Catastrophic Events Module |
Sun as the major energy source
for earth phenomenon such
as winds, ocean currents and
the water cycle
Composition and properties of
earth’s interior and
atmosphere
Processes in earth’s history that
build up and break down
landforms
Storms, earthquakes, volcanoes |
|
LIFE SCIENCE
Populations and Ecosystems Module |
Fundamentals of ecology
(including energy flow and
feeding relationships)
Sun as the major energy source
for ecosystems on earth
Change agents in an ecosystem
Fundamentals of genetics
Adaptation and genetic change
over time |
8th Grade
Students will apply the inquiry process throughout the year while studying three major units or modules. Students may conduct controlled experiments and create models or simulations to explore the relationship between tow variables and compare their answers with what scientists already know about the world. Students will become aware of the interdependence between science and technology and appreciate how science drives technology to help solve human problems.
|
Units |
Areas of Focus |
Assessment Tools |
|
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Properties of Matter
Module |
Matter, atoms and elements
(including the particle model
of matter)
Characteristic properties such as
density, solubility, melting
and boiling points
Mixtures, compounds and
chemical properties
Conservation of mass in a closed
system
Thermal energy and molecular
motion |
FOR ALL UNITS
Class and homework written assignments
and readings
Class and lab participation
Lab Reflections
Classroom and module based quizzes
and tests
End of module District Assessments
DURING THE YEAR
At least two Formal Lab Reports
At least one module based project with
class presentation |
|
EARTH SCIENCE
Earth in Space Module |
Regular and predictable motion
in the solar system explains
phenomena such as the day,
year, phases of the moon,
eclipses and tides
Sun’s place in the solar system,
galaxy and universe
Relative size and distance of
objects in the solar system
Role of gravity and how it
governs motion in the solar
system |
|
LIFE SCIENCE
Human Body Systems
Module |
Specialized cells perform
different functions in
multicellular organisms
Relationship between form and
function in organ systems
Human body systems including
the skeletal, muscular,
circulatory, respiratory and
digestive |
9th Grade
|
Units |
Areas of Focus |
Assessment Tools |
|
Physics |
Calculate velocity and acceleration
Forces (balanced and unbalanced)
Newton’s Laws of Motion |
FOR ALL UNITS
Class and homework written assignments
and readings
Class and lab participation
Lab Write Ups
Classroom and based quizzes
and tests
End of Unit District Assessments
DURING THE YEAR
At least two Formal Lab Reports
At least one project with
class presentation
|
|
Thermal Energy |
Transfer and transformation of thermal energy
Identify and graph phase changes |
|
Chemistry |
Atoms (subatomic particular charges and locations
Arrangement of Periodic Table (including relationships and patterns)
Chemical compounds and reactions |
|
Earth Science |
Interpret current rock formations of the Pacific Northwest as evidence of past geologic events |
|
Astronomy |
Describe the life cycle of stars and The Big Bang Theory |