Middle School Science
Tentative Curriculum Sequence
Topic Area
2014-2015
Dr. Romano
romanop@soundviewprep.org
Labs/ Activities
First Semester, Quarter #1
Life Science
Class Rules/Routines, Introductions
Safety, Lab Equipment (Chapter 1, Section 4)
Thinking Like a Scientist, Inference & Observation
Chapter 1, Section 1
Lab Equipment Review
Intro to Metric System
“Get to Know You” Activity
Safety Contract, Lab & Quiz
Inference & Observation Lab/
Lab Equipment Activity
http://www.epa.gov/region03/ee/chesapeake/labident.htm
http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizshow.php?title=science-adfjdjfajftj&q=1
Metric System Activity
Life Processes and Homeostasis
The Scientific Method: Independent and dependent variables
Milk Lab Activity; Eating Skittles
Chapter 1, Section 2
While Blindfolded Lab
The Formal Lab Report
Making “mini-posters”
http://www.lessonplansinc.com/lessonplans/demo_biology_scientific_method.html
Measurement & Graphing
Measurement/Graphing Lab
Microscopy
Microscope Use Lab
Characteristics of Living Things
Design & Build a Microscope (p. 58)
Chapter 2, Section 1
Pond Lab Activity
Classifying Organisms
Cerealites Lab
Chapter 2, Section 2
Levels of Organization, Homeostasis
Evolution, Change over Time
Investigation of Bird Beaks Lab
Chapter 6, Section 1, 2, 3
Camouflage with Paper Dots Lab
Cells and Cell Processes
1
Chapter 2, Section 3, 4
Cell Theory
Cell structure: organelles
Parts of the Cell Project
Cell Observations Lab: plant, animal
http://www.cellsalive.com/
(for IPAD) 3D of cell
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/3dcell/id402252996?mt=8
Cell Processes; Diffusion, Osmosis & Active Transport
Chapter 3, Section 2
Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration
Chapter 3, Section 3, 4
Cell Division and Mitosis
Chapter 3, Section 5
Plant Systems, Reproduction, and Development
Angiosperms Chapter 8, Section 1; p. 276-278
Pedigrees
Karyotyping
Genetic Diseases
Observing Stomata Lab
Pigments in Plant Leaves Lab
Yeast Fermentation Lab
Exercise and Cell Respiration Lab
www.cellsalive.com
http://science-class.net/archive/science-class/PowerPoints/mitosis_files/frame.htm
Stages of Mitosis Onion Root Tip Lab
Mitosis Model with Cookies Lab
Asexual Reproduction (p. 220)
Meiosis, Sexual Reproduction, and Development
Chapter 4, Section 3
Genetics and Heredity
Chapter 4, Section 1, 2, 3, 4
Monohybrid Crosses & Punnett Squares
Diffusion Through a Membrane Lab
http://www.isd622.org/Page/3758;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ncSrJOwME
Angiosperms Flower Dissection Lab
http://www.isd622.org/Page/3758
Phenotype & Genotype Lab
Punnett Square Problems
Sex-Linked Inheritance, Codominance
ABO Blood Groups Lab
Pedigree Analysis
Karyotyping Lab
Clinical Genetic Diseases Activity
2
DNA and Molecular Genetics
Chapter 4, Section 4
DNA and RNA
DNA Replication
Protein Synthesis Lab
Transcription and Translation of Proteins
Mutations
Genetic Engineering
Diversity of Living Things
Parade through the Kingdoms
Animal Kingdom- Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
Invertebrates and Vertebrates
Environmental Science
Ecology and Human Impact on the Environment
Feeding Relationships, Ecosystems & Communities
Biodiversity
Models of DNA
Strawberry DNA Lab
Guilty or Innocent: DNA fingerprinting
Animal Kingdom Survey Lab
Kaibab Deer Activity
The Lorax
Owl Pellet Dissection
Pillbug Lab
Human Impact on the Environment
Second Semester, Quarter #3
Physical Science
Chemistry Unit
Introduction to Matter; Properties of Matter
Matter Classification
Solutions
Measuring Matter &Density
Physical and Chemical Changes
Energy and Matter
States of Matter
Changes in State: Melting and Freezing
Gas Laws
Separation of Mixtures Lab
Distillation Lab
Does It Dissolve? Lab
Density Lab
Iron Sulfur Lab; GOOP Lab
Gas Laws Experiment
3
Phase Changes
http://www.education.com/reference/article/boyle-gas-law/ Marshmallow Gas Law
Experiment
IPAD simulation – PhET- http://phet.colorado.edu/en/contributions/view/3010
Heat of Fusion Lab
Models of the Atom
Subatomic Particles
Styrofoam Model of the Atom Activity
Atom Apple La
Modeling the Location of Electrons Lab
Split Pea Target Lab
Ancient Names of Elements
Element BINGO
Element Trading Cards
Scavenger Hunt- Periodic Table
Who Am I:” Periodic Table and Atomic Structure
Elements of the Human Body Research
Flame Test of Metals Lab
Periodic Table of Elements
Representative Groups in the Periodic Table
Metals, Nonmetals, Mettaloids
Ionic Bonds
Covalent Bonds
Chemical Reactions
Bonding Models Kit Activity
Decomposition of H2O2 Lab
Endo/Exothermic Reaction Lab
Single Replacement: Activity Series of Metals
Lab
Factors Affecting Chemical Reactions
Acids and Bases
Acids and Bases Lab- 6 Stations Activity
MINITERM ACTIVITY
Topic Presentations in Chemistry and/or Physics for End of Year Science Presentations
Second Semester, Quarter #4
Physics Unit
Motion
Displacement and Distance
Speed and Velocity
Inclined to Roll Activity
Sinking Marble Velocity Lab
4
Motion: Coaster Physics
(for IPAD) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coasterphysics/id393340142?mt=8
Acceleration Lab
Forces
Friction and Gravity
Newton’s Laws of Motion
1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws
Momentum
Raw “Egg Drop” Lab
Sticky Notes Friction Lab
Sneaker Friction Lab
Falling Objects Lab
First Law of Motion Demo Lab
Second Law of Motion Demo Lab
Paper Rockets Lab
http://www.stem.neu.edu/programs/k-12-school-field-trips/paper-rockets/
Balloon Jet Lab (also tests scientific method)
Third Law of Motion Collision Lab
Momentum Lab (for IPAD)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newtons-cradle-physics++/id348642100?mt=8
Forces in Fluid
Buoyancy
Work
Simple Machines
Rube Goldberg Activity
Energy
Potential, Kinetic, Mechanical, Thermal, Gravitational, Nuclear
Buoyancy Lab
Simple Machines Lab
Pendulums
Seesaw Lab Activity
Pulleys as Simple Machines Lab
https://diy.org/skills/physicist/challenges/389/make-arube-goldberg-machine
“Rubistar” site
http://www.rubegoldberg.com/Contest?page=contest_rules.online
Stored Energy Lab
Investigating a Spring Clip Lab
5
Characteristics of Waves
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Reflection, diffraction of waves
Slinky Lab
Making Waves Lab
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible Light
The retina
Refraction and Reflection
http://www.thephysicsfront.org/filingcabinet/share.cfm?UID=3404&FID=16730
Changing Colors Lab
Videos on the Nature of Light
online simulation at: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/bending-light
Light: Reflection and Refraction Lab
Sound
Sound and Hearing
The Human Ear
Anatomy of Human Ear
Wireless Communication
Tuning Fork Lab
Musical Notes Lab
Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Charge
Electric Current
Magnetism
Earth Science
Astronomy
Planets
The moon
Sun
http://www.thephysicsfront.org/static/unit.cfm?sb=10&course=4
Building An Electric Circuit Lab
Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits Activity
Detecting Fake Coins Activity
Mapping Magnetic Fields Lab
(for IPAD)
http://ipadapps4teachers.blogspot.com/p/astronomyapps.html
(for IPAD) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moon-atlas/id302171459?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/3d-sun/id347089078?mt=8
Balloon Rocket Lab http://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/240/balloonrocket.pdf
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Stars - Color, Composition, and Classification
Life Cycle of Stars and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Jz6FU5D1A–Life Cycle of Stars
6
Galaxies and the Formation of the Universe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzE7VZMT1z8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJV55DPu_pE&feature=youtube_gdata Black Hole Hunter
http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/Labs/StarLife/starlife_main.html - Website
Resource
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCSSaDPxQls&feature=relmfu– Galaxies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq8Q8Jz2g_M&feature=watch_response
Formation of the Solar System
http://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh07_10/student/flash/virtual_investigations/hst/sol/hst_sol_vi.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOErr4xntHE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmDZhQAIeXM – Solar Flares
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDqskltCixA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8-KMR0nx8&feature=BFa&list=PLE8F1A7735ACD1525
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDqskltCixA&feature=BFa&list=PLE8F1A7735ACD1525&index=41
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE6zhevWBBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YAOT92wuD8 – Earth’s atmosphere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvrzM-BavDg&feature=relmfu – Earth’s Oceans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZzfKKxbg7A - Video - Eureka - Gravity
Earth, Moon, Sun Relationship
Moon Phases

Eclipses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th9PYP4kq4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1B3RLf1A1s


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79M2lSVZiY4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79M2lSVZiY4&feature=related
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/moon_phases/
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2505/es2505page01.cfm?chapter_n
o=visualization - Solar Eclipse Animation

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2504/es2504page01.cfm?chapter_no=visu
alization - Lunar Eclipse Animation
Radioactivity & Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Power & Energy
Nuclear Reactors
Research Project on Nuclear Disasters
7
NYS Geology Unit (co-taught with History)
Geologic Maps
Origeny Formations
Minerals, Fossils
Smart apps for kids in Physical Science
http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2013/03/top-10-free-apps-for-physicalscience.html
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