Fox River Grove
School District #3
Science Curriculum
October 2006
Table of Contents
District 3 Science Committee
3
Science Philosophy
4
Science Curriculum
Kindergarten
5
First Grade
8
Second Grade
11
Third Grade
13
Fourth Grade
17
Fifth Grade
22
Sixth Grade
25
Seventh Grade
29
Eighth Grade
32
Curriculum Map
35
State Goals and Learning Standards
37
2
Science Curriculum Committee
June 2006
Beth Diller
Kindergarten
Paulette Nichols
1st Grade
Jennie Bebber
2nd Grade
Pat Beebe
3rd Grade
Donna Stick
4th Grade
Jane Szybowicz
5th Grade
Mary Beth Miller
6th-7th Grades
Jackie Grosse
7th-8th Grades
3
Science Philosophy
Fox River Grove School District 3 believes that science education should promote the
acquisition of skills to extend learning about our universe, our world, and our lives. Our
curriculum, therefore, strives to develop scientific literacy by focusing on the relationship
between science content and daily life.
It is our belief that children must develop the knowledge of and the ability to use the tools
and processes of scientific inquiry. By building on a solid foundation of basic concepts,
we use scientific content to promote the development of critical thinking skills. Our
curriculum emphasizes the development of age-appropriate knowledge and the
understanding of life, earth, and physical sciences. All teachers are encouraged to
select approaches and investigations that foster student involvement through the
utilization of hands-on experiences.
This curriculum guide indicates the minimum that is covered with the
curricular materials. With approval from building administration and the
district curriculum director, additional materials may be used to enhance
student learning. Our goal is to progress through the material described in
this guide at a pace that will insure developmentally appropriate student
mastery.
Illinois State Standards: The science textbook adoption committee has
checked that all state standards are covered by this curriculum guide. A
copy of the state standards is attached to this document and are indicated
within the guide where covered.
4
Kindergarten Science Curriculum
The Kindergarten science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Earth Science,
and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science, Harcourt-Brace, 2000
Teacher’s Resource Kit
Materials Kit
Additional bibliography and resources in each unit organizer
Technology:
Harcourt Science Explorations CD-ROM
Harcourt Science Newsroom Videos
Harcourt Science Activity Videos
Internet Sites:
www.si.edu/harcourt/science - Smithsonian Institution
www.scilinks.org/harcourt - SciLinks
www.harcourtschool.com - The Learning Site
Unit A: Animals
Unit Overview: Animals come in a great diversity of shapes and sizes. They all have body parts that help
them get food and move. The body coverings of animals protect them and help them stay warm. All
animals grow and change over time.
1. What Are Some Kinds of Animals?
2. How Do Animals Grow?
3. How Can Animals Move?
4. What Body Parts Help Animals Eat?
5. How Do Body Coverings Help Animals?
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.A.1a;
12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b][State Standard: 13.A 1a; 13.A1c]
Supplementary Materials:
CD-ROM: “National Geographic- Animals and How They Grow”
Listening Center
Filmstrips:
Video:
Books:
“Amazing Animals A-Z” -National Geographic Society
“The Life of Animals” - National Geographic Society
“What Is A Mammal?” - National Geographic Society
Really Wild Animals – Swinging Safari
Mammals/Penguin – Home Video
Wild Animals: From Alligator to Zebra by: Arthur Singer
The Seals on the Bus by: Lenny Holt (song)
Unit B: Plants
Unit Overview: Many different kinds of plants are all around us every day. We can identify plants by their
structures including roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Many plants grow from seeds and they change
greatly during growth. People use plants for clothing, food, and shelter.
1. What Are Some Kinds of Plants?
2. What Are the Parts of a Plant?
5
3.
4.
5.
6.
How Do Plants Grow?
Where Are a Plant’s Seeds?
How Are Leaves the Same and Different?
How Do People Use Plants and Animals?
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f][State Standard: 12.A.1a;
12.A.1b; 12.B.1b; 12.E.1b; 12.E.1c][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b]
Supplementary Materials:
Filmstrip:
Video:
Books:
National Geographic Society – The World of Plants
What Is a Seed - National Geographic Society
Plants: Green, Growing, and Giving Life - Rainbow Education Videos
Johnny Appleseed - Rabbit Ears Production, Inc.
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown - A Lee Mendelson, Bill Melendez Production
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle’
Unit C: Earth’s Air, Land and Water
Unit Overview: The environment around us is made up of living things and of nonliving things including
air, land, and water. We use many of the things that come from earth including soil, rocks, and materials to
build things we need to live and move around in.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What Makes Up the Earth’s Land?
What Can We Observe About Soil, Sand, and Rocks?
Where Do We Find Water?
How Does The Sky Change?
Which of Earth’s Resources Do We Use to Live?
How Can We Care for Earth’s Resources?
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.C.1b;
12.E.1a; 12.E.1c; 12.F.1a; 12.F.1b] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1e]
Supplementary Materials:
Filmstrip:
Video:
Book:
“I Can Read About Thunder and Lightning” by David Cutts (a Troll read a long)
Magic School Bus Makes A Rainbow
Earth by Kitty Benedict
Unit D: Weather
Unit Overview: Weather changes from day to day and over longer periods of time. The seasons are
regular patterns of weather change that occur every year. People can use measurements to predict what the
weather will be in the near future.
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b, 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f;][State Standard: 12.E.1b;
12.F.1a;][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B, 1b;]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm
Which Way Weather? - Bo Peep Productions
Books: How’s the Weather by Melvin & Gilda Berger
Science with Weather by Rebecca Heddle & Paul Shipton
6
Unit E: Objects Around Us
Unit Overview: Objects can be described in terms of the materials they are made of and their physical
properties. Once you know about the physical properties of an object you can predict how that object will
interact with other objects.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What Can We Find Out About Objects?
How Can We Sort Objects?
How Do We Move Objects
Which Objects Do Magnets Move?
How Can We Use Tools to Make Something?
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.C.1b;
12.D.1a; 12.D.1b; 12.F.1b] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b;]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Shapes - National Geographic Society:
Books: Magnets by: Steve Parker
Hot and Cold by: Allan Fowler
Power Magic: Science Activities for Children by: Alison Alexander& Susie Bower
Spaces, Shapes and Sizes by: Jane & Jonas Sirvastera
Unit F: Investigating Water
Unit Overview: Water can be a solid, liquid, or gas. Under the right conditions it can change from a solid
to a liquid and back to a solid again. Objects interact with water in different ways-some objects sink, while
others float.
1.
2.
3.
4.
How Does Water Move?
What Is Water Like
Which Objects Sink? Which Objects Float?
How Does Water Change?
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.C.1b; 12E.1a]
[State Standard: 13.A.1c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Book:
The Magic School Bus Wet All Over
Solids and Liquids by David Glover Young Discoveries Series
7
First Grade Science Curriculum
The First Grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Earth Science,
and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science – Harcourt-Brace, 2000
Teacher’s Resource Kit
Materials Kit
Additional bibliography and resources in each unit organizer
Technology:
Harcourt Science Instant readers CD-ROM
Harcourt Science Activity Videos
Internet Sites:
www.si.edu/harcourt/science - Smithsonian Institution
www.scilinks.org/harcourt - SciLinks
www.harcourtschool.com - The Learning Site
Unit A: Plants and Animals All Around
Unit Overview: The five senses help people group and compare living and nonliving things. Living things,
such as plants and animals, have characteristics that help us group them. We can learn more about how
they grow and what they need.
1.
2.
3.
Living and Nonliving Things
All About Plants
All About Animals
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.A.1a;
12.A.1b; 12.B.1a] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Senses
What is a Seed?
Magic School Bus - Goes to Seed
How Plants Grow
Reading Rainbow: Bugs
Animals are Different and Alike
Amphibians, Fish and Reptiles
Filmstrip:
“The World of Plants”
“Looking at Living Things”
“Animals and How They Grow” Series
“The Life of Animals” Series
Unit B: Living Together
Unit Overview: Living things are suited to live in certain environments. The living things within an
environment are interdependent.
1. Plants and Animals Need One Another
2. A Place to Live
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.A.1a;
12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 12.E.1c] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b;
13.B.1d]
8
Supplementary Materials:
Filmstrip:
Video:
“The Life of Animals” - Series
“Who Lives Here” - Series
Rain Forest
Really Wild Animals: Swinging Safari
Unit C: About Our Earth
Unit Overview: The Earth is composed of land, water, and a surrounding atmosphere.
1. Earth’s Land
2. Earth’s Air and Water
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.E.1a;
12.E.1c] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d; 13.B.1e]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Filmstrip:
Rocks
What Good Are Rocks?
Getting to Know Soil
The Great Earth Sing Along
I Need the Earth and the Earth Needs Me
“Rocks and Minerals”
“Our Planet Earth: Rocks and Soil”
“Homes and Neighborhoods: Looking at Planet Earth”
“Our Planet Earth: Air and Water”
Unit D: Weather and Seasons
Unit Overview: Changes in weather occur daily and seasonally. These changes can be observed, measured,
and recorded.
1. Measuring Weather
2. The Seasons
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f;] [State Standard: 12.A.1b;
12.C.1a; 12.D.1a; 12.E.1a, 12.E.1b; 12.F.1a; 12.F.1b] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c;
13.B.1a; 13.B.1b 13.B.1d]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Filmstrip:
Magic School Bus – Kicks up a Storm
Magical Mother Nature: The Four Seasons
“Watching Weather” Series
“Our Planet Earth: Changing Weather”
“The Seasons” Series
Unit E: Matter and Energy
Unit Overview: Everything in the physical universe is made of matter. Heat and light energy can change
matter.
1.
Investigate Matter
9
2.
Heat and Light
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.C.1b;
12.D.1a] [State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Matter and Energy for Beginners
Unit F: Energy and Forces
Unit Overview: A force (push or pull) interacts with an object and causes the object to move. Magnetic
attraction is a force that affects the motion of an object.
1.
2.
Pushes and Pulls
Magnets
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f; 11.B.1a; 11.B.1b; 11.B.1c;
11.B.1d; 11.B.1e][State Standard: 12.C.1a; 12.D.1a; 12.D.1b][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b;
13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
Magic School Bus – Play Ball
Simple Machines
The Magic of Magnetism
10
Second Grade Science Curriculum
The Second Grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Earth Science,
and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science, Harcourt-Brace, 2000
Teacher’s Resource Kit
Additional bibliography and resources in each unit organizer
Materials Kit
Technology:
Harcourt Science Instant Readers CD-Rom
Harcourt Science Activity Video
Internet Sites:
www.si.edu/harcourt/science - Smithsonian Institution
www.scilinks.org/harcourt - SciLinks
www.harcourtschool.com - The Learning Site
Unit A: Living Things Grow and Change
Unit Overview: Everything in the environment can be classified as living or nonliving. Unlike nonliving
objects, living organisms grow and change and have basic needs.
1. Plants Grow and Change
2. Animals Grow and Change
3. People Grow and Change
[State Standard: 11.A..1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f; ] [State Standard:12A.1a;
12A.1b; 12B.1a;] [State Standard: 13A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13SA.1c; 13.B. 1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d;]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: How Plants Grow
Magic School Bus Goes to Seed
Butterfly and Moth
Saving the Monarchs
Bugs
Magic School Bus Butterflies
Second grade closet- Becoming a chrysalis
Second grade closet- Becoming a butterfly
Unit B: Homes For Living Things
Unit Overview: Different land and water environments have habitats where plants and
animals find food, water, and shelter. Animals and plants are dependent on their environment and on each
other for their survival.
1. Habitats for Plants and Animals
2. Changes in Habitat
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f; 11.B.1a; 11.B.1b; 11.B.1c;
11.B.1d; 11.B.1e;][State Standard: 12A.1a; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 12.E.1a; 12.E.1b;][State Standard: 13.
A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13B.1b; 13.B.1d13.B.1e;]
11
Unit C: Exploring Earth’s Surface
Unit Overview: Within Earth’s surface are many natural resources that people use to meet their needs.
Paleontologists find in the Earth fossils of plants and animals. These fossils help paleontologists learn
about Earth long ago.
Earth Long Ago
[State Standard: 11.A. 1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e11.A.1f;][State Standard: 12.A.1a;
12.E.1a; 12.E.1c;][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d;]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Digging Up Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs
T-Rex
Dinosaurs and Strange Creatures
Dinosaurs Puzzles from the Past
Unit D: Space and Weather
Unit Overview: Earth is affected by changes in space and in the atmosphere. Day and night, changes in
the appearance of the moon, and the seasons are caused by changes in the position of Earth and the moon.
Changes in weather conditions can be observed and measured.
1. The Sun, the Moon, and Stars
2. Earth’s Weather
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f;][State Standard: 12.B.1b;
12.E.1a; 12.E.1b; 12.F.1a; 12.F.1b;][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b;
13.B.1d;]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Planets
Unit E: Exploring Matter
Unit Overview: Everything is made of matter. Matter has observable properties and usually exists in one
of three forms: solid, liquid, or gas. Matter can be changed physically and chemically.
Forces and Motion
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11.A.1c; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f;][State Standard: 12.C.1b;
12.E.1a;][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b; 13.B.1d;]
12
Third Grade Science Curriculum
The Third Grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Earth Science,
and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Illinois Edition, 2005
Teacher’s Resource Kit
Additional bibliography and resources in each unit organizer
Materials Kits
Technology:
Explore Activity Videos
Internet Sites:
www.science.mmhschool.com
www.timeforkids.com
www.amnh.org/resources/mhscience
Unit A: Plants and Animals
Unit Overview: Living things have basic needs and life processes in the immediate environment. The
fundamental structure of living things is the cell. Cells make up tissues, organs, organ systems, and
organisms. Organisms are in constant change as they go through their life cycles. Traits are passed from
parent to offspring when organisms reproduce.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
How Living Things Are Alike
The Needs of Plants
The Life Cycle of a Plant
The Needs of Animals
How Animals Grow
Parts of Animals
Kinds of Animals
[State Standard: 11.A.1a] [State Standard: 12.A.1a; 12.A1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b][State Standard:
13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Magic School Bus- Goes To Seed
Bill Nye- Plants
Plants: Green, Growing, Giving Life
Science Horizons: Plant
The Magic School Bus- Hops Home
Creatures of the Pond
Bill Nye- Fish
Bill Nye- Reptiles
Bill Nye- Mammals/ Birds
Eyewitness Reptiles
Cool Creatures: Reptiles
Birds of Illinois
Magic School Bus- Going Batty
Bill Nye – Life Cycles
CD-ROM:
“Animals and How They Grow” - National Geographic
Listening Center: “Trees and Plants”, “Fish”, “Frogs and Toads”, “Reptiles and Amphibians”, “Mammals”
and “Birds” - Troll
13
Unit B: Where Plants and Animals Live
Unit Overview: Environments on land and in water support a diversity of plants and animals that share
limited resources. Organisms are adapted to their environments, enabling them to respond to life needs.
Organisms interact with each other and the nonliving parts of the environment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Ecosystems
Food Chains and Food Webs
Roles for Plants and Animals
Competition Among Living Things
Adaptations for Survival
Changing Ecosystems
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1f; 11.B.1c; 11.B.1e][State Standard: 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b][State
Standard: 13.A.1c; 13.B.1e]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Bill Nye - Biodiversity
Bill Nye - Food Web
Bill Nye – Populations
Unit C: Our Earth
Unit Overview: The formation of rocks and soil is part of the changes in Earth’s crust that have formed
fossils and continue to shape the land. Some changes happen gradually over time, others more quickly.
Soil, fossil fuels, and other resources are diminishing and need to be conserved.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Minerals and Rocks
Kinds of Soils
Fossils and Fuels
Water in Sea, Land, and Sky
Saving Our Resources
Landforms
Slow Changes on Land
Fast Changes on Land
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1b; 11A.1f; 11B.1c][State Standard: 12.C.1b; 12.E.1a; 12.E.1b;
12E.1c;][State Standard: 13A.1c; 13B.1e]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Natural Resources
Simple Things You Can Do To Save Energy In School
Down The Drain
50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth
Bill Nye – Garbage
Garbage, Garbage, Garbage
Bill Nye – Pollution Solutions
The Rotten Truth
Reducing, Reusing, Recycling: Environmental Concerns
Stay Away From The Junkyard
Help Save Planet Earth
The Magic School Bus - Gets Eaten
Bill Nye – Earth’s Crust
14
Bill Nye – Earthquakes
Bill Nye – Rocks and Soil
Magic School Bus – Blows Its Top
Science Horizons: Rocks
Science Horizons: Fossils
Unit D: Cycles on Earth and in Space
Unit Overview: Basic sequences and cycles occur in nature, including the water cycle, day and night,
seasonal changes, phases of the Moon, and tides.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Weather
The Water Cycle
Describing Weather
How Earth Moves
Phases of the Moon
The Sun and Its Planets
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1e; 11.A.1f] [State Standard: 12.E.1a; 12.E.1b; 12.F.1a; 12.F.1b][State
Standard: 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Eyewitness Weather
Children’s Encyclopedia - Weather
Tell Me Why - Water and Weather
Bill Nye: Atmosphere
Bill Nye: Earth’s Seasons
Bill Nye: The Water Cycle
Bill Nye: The Sun
Bill Nye: The Planets
Bill Nye: The Moon
Bill Nye: Outer Space
Magic School Bus Gets Lost In Space
Exploring Our Solar System
Listening Centers: “The Sun and Other Stars”, “The Sun”. “The Moon” and “The Planets”
Unit E: Forces and Motion
Unit Overview: The motion of an object can be described by tracing its position over time. The position
and motion of an object can be changed by pushing and pulling. Simple machines can be used as tools to
accomplish tasks more easily.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Motion and Speed
Forces
Changes In Motion
Doing Work
Levers and Pulleys
Simple Machines
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1e; 11.B.1a][State Standard: 12.D.1a; 12.D.1b; 12.E.1a][State
Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.B.1a; 13.B.1b]
15
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Bill Nye - Gravity
Bill Nye - Powerful Forces: All Pumped Up
Bill Nye - Simple Machines
The Magic School Bus - Plays Ball
Bill Nye – Friction
Unit F: Looking At Matter And Energy
Unit Overview: Matter can be described by observable properties and exists in different states. Matter is
made of smaller parts that cannot be seen without magnification. Any form of energy can be described by
how it is produced and by the effects it has on matter.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Properties of Matter
Comparing Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Building Blocks of Matter
How Heat Travels
How Light Travels
Properties of Sound
Paths for Electricity
[State Standard: 11.A.1a; 11.A.1f; 11.B.1a; 11.B.1b; 11.B.1c] [State Standard: 12.C.1a; 12.C.1b;
12.D.1a; 12.D.1b][State Standard: 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1a]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Bill Nye - Phases of Matter/ Chemical Reactions
Magic School Bus - Ready-Set – Dough
Bill Nye – Heat
Bill Nye – Sound
Bill Nye – Static Electricity
Bill Nye – Electrical Current
Bill Nye - Magnetism
16
Fourth Grade Science Curriculum
The fourth grade curriculum focuses on 3 content areas: Life Science, the world of living things and the
animals as living things; Earth Science, the Earth and beyond, and water and weather; and Physical
Science, matter and energy. Science is also an active way of learning about the world around us. The way
the children learn about the natural world is through the process of inquiry. The inquiry skills consist of
observation, inference, classifying, measuring, using numbers, communication, predicting, interpreting
data, forming a hypothesis, using variables, completing experiments, making models, and defining based
on observations.
The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Illinois Edition, Copyright © 2005.
Grade-Level Science Books – mini classroom sets of books
Test Preparation and Practice
Assessment Book
School to Home Activities
Cross Curricular Projects
Reading in Science Resource
Activity Resources
Consumable/ Non-consumable Material Kits
Technology:
CD-ROMs
Videotapes – Explore Activity Videos
Internet Site:
www.science.mmhschool,com
www.wcs.org
www.amnh.org/resources/mhscience
Unit A: The World of Living Things
Unit Summary: The basic unit of all kingdoms of life is the cell. All living things interact with each other
and the nonliving environment. Energy flows through ecosystems from the Sum through producers to
consumers, and ultimately to decomposers. Plants have structures and functions that enable them to fulfill
their role as important producers.
1.
From cells to ecosystems ( cells in living things, classifying organisms, organisms of the past,
organisms and where they live, changes in ecosystems, what are living things made of, how are
organisms classified, how can we use skeletons to compare organisms, how do living and
nonliving things interact, what causes ecosystems to change)
2.
Plants (plant parts, plant growth and reproduction)
[State Standard: 11. A.2a, 11.A,2b, 11.A2d, 11.A2c] [State Standard: 12.B.2b,
13.B2f, 11.A2c, 12B.2a, 13.B2e, 13.A2a]
Supplementary Material:
Videos:
Magic School Bus – Goes to Seed
How Plants Grow
Bill Nye – Plants
Bill Nye – Cells
The Importance of Plants
Science Horizons: Plants
National Geographic Society: What is a Seed?
17
Bill Nye – Digestion
Bill Nye – Blood and Circulation
Bill Nye – Respiration
Bill Nye – Brain and Nervous System
In Control: Our Brain and Nervous System
Food into Fuel: Our Digestive System
Magic School Bus – For Lunch
Our Flexible Frame: The Skeletal and Muscular System
Bill Nye – Bones and Muscles
Grade Level Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
It’s Alive!
Ecosystems Everywhere
Discovering the Secrets of Nature
Unit B: Animals as Living Things
Unit Summary: Many kinds of animals have different structures that serve different functions in growth,
survival, and reproduction. The behavior of individual organisms is influenced by internal and external
cues. Animals are adapted to meet their needs in their environments.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Animal Characteristics
Animals without backbones
Animals with backbones
Animals have similar organs systems
Development and reproduction of animals
Animal Survival depend on an animal’s body parts
[State Standard: 11.A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A.2c, 11.A.2e,] [State Standard: 12.B.2a, 12.A.2a 12.A.2b
12.B.2a]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Bill Nye – Mammals
Bill Nye – Reptile
Bill Nye – Amphibians
Bill Nye – Birds
Bill Nye - Fish
Grade Level Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
The Polar Bear and the Jaguar
Why tortoise has a Shell
Penguins: Birds That Swim
Unit C: Earth and Beyond
Unit Summary: Earth is in constant change. Earth’s materials, such as rocks and soils, have varied
properties, which make them useful resources as well as clues to changes on Earth. Fossils provide
evidence of life in the past and the changes that have happened over time. Earth is part of a solar
system – the Sun and planets and other objects that revolve around it. Other than the Sun, these
objects have patterns of movement.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rocks and fossils provide clues about Earth’s past
Glaciers and other agents change Earth’s land
Over time, processes in nature change bedrock into soil.
Earthquakes tell about Earth’s interior.
18
5.
6.
Earth moves around the Sun. The Moon move around Earth.
Earth is part of a system that includes the Sun, planets, and other objects.
[State Standard: 11.A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A2c, 11.A.2d] [State Standard: 12. E.2a, 12.E2b, 12.F2a, 12.F.2b,
12.F2c] [State Standard: 13A.2a, 13B.2a]
Supplementary Materials;
Videos:
Magic School bus: Gets Lost in Space
Bill Nye – The Sun
Bill Nye – The Moon
Bill Nye – The Planets
Bill Nye – Outer Space
Bill Nye - Rocks and Soil
Bill Nye - Earthquakes
Science Horizons: Rocks
Science Horizons: Fossils
The Universe
Exploring Our Solar System
What’s Out There? Exploring the Solar System
Grade Level Science Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
Do You Feel Earth Moving?
Rocks Don’t Just Sit There
The Galileo Mission to Jupiter
Unit D: Water and Weather:
Unit Summary: The continuous interchange of water between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere provides
Earth with its fresh water supply. This interchange is also basic to weather changes on Earth- the formation
of clouds and precipitation, as well as changes in air pressure.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Water can be in different forms in different places.
Water exists in 3 states – solid, liquid, and gas.
The ocean moves in ways that affect the weather, the climate, the land and you.
More than half of Earth’s fresh water is groundwater.
Only a small part of Earth’s water is available for humans.
The conditions of the atmosphere create our weather.
Many things affect our weather and climate.
[State Standard: 11A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A2d] [State Standard: 12.E.2a, 12.C.2b, 12.E.2a, 12.E2b] [State
Standard: 13.A2a, 13. B.2e, 13.A2a]
Supplementary Material:
Videos:
Eyewitness Weather
Bill Nye – Water Cycle
Water Cycle – DVD
Bill Nye – Phases of Matter
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Understanding Science Video: Matter
Bill Nye – Oceanography
Bill Nye - Oceanography
Weather - Eyewitness
Grade-Level Science Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
The Water Watchers
Everyone Always Complains About the Weather
Sylvia Earle: She’s in Deep Water
19
Unit E: Matter
Unit Summary: Matter has observable properties and can be measured by concepts of mass, volume, and
density. Properties are used to group elements together in the periodic table. Tiny particles of matter are in
constant motion. Matter can undergo physical and chemical changes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
All substances can be described and classified by their properties.
Matter can be measured using standard and nonstandard units of measure.
Matter is made of tiny particles that can be classified, mixed, and combines.
Physical changes are responsible fro many of the things we encounter in everyday life, such as
changes of state and changes in size or shape.
Chemical changes are responsible for many of the things we encounter in everyday life, such as
the production of energy and making and breaking down compounds.
[State Standard: 11.A.2a, 11.A2b, 11.A2d] [State Standard: 12.C2b] [State Standard: 13A.2a, 13.B2d]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Bill Nye- Chemical Reactions
Magic School Bus: Chemical Reactions
Grade Level Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
Big and Small
The Angel Food Cake
A Chemist in the Kitchen:
Home
Experiments You Can Do At
Unit F: Energy
Unit Summary: Energy is needed to do work and can be potential or kinetic. Energy comes in many forms
and can be transformed from one to the other. Electrical energy can be static or flow in circuits. Electric
current can produce magnetic forces and moving magnets can produce electric currents. In this unit the
children learn how to make a complete circuit and create a project based on this concept. Directions for the
electricity project are on the district web-site under the heading of fourth grade.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Objects move when they change their position, though objects tend to resist a change in motion
(inertia).
Machines make work easier by changing the amount and the direction of the force applied.
Heat is the movement of energy from warmer to cooler objects, though not all objects allow heat
to move through them equally well.
Light travels in straight lines and can be refracted as it moves through a surface or reflected from a
surface.
Properties of wound, such as pitch and loudness, can be changed by changing properties of the
sound source that is, changing the rate of vibration.
A buildup of electrical charge causes static electricity,
Current electricity flow through a closed circuit.
A moving magnet can produce current electricity. Current electricity flow from generators to your
home.
[State Standard: 11.A2b, 11.A2c, 11A.2d, 11.A2e, 11.B2c] [State Standard: 12.C2a, 12.D2b] [State
Standard: 13A.2a, 13.B2c, 13.B2b]
Supplementary Materials:
Videos:
Bill Nye – Heat
Bill Nye – Sound
20
Bill Nye – Light
Bill Nye – Electrical Current
Bill Nye – Static Electricity
Bill Nye – Magnetism
Science Horizons: Electricity
Thomas Edison and the Electric Light
Benjamin Franklin: Scientist & Inventor
Bill Nye – Gravity
Bill Nye – Powerful Forces: All Pumped Up
Bill Nye – Simple Machines
The Magic School Bus – Plays Ball
Grade Level Books:
Basic:
On Level:
Challenge:
Magnets Everywhere
How Lever Changed the World
Current Connections
21
Fifth Grade Science Curriculum
The fifth grade curriculum focuses on the characteristics and environment of living things, the Earth and its
resources, astronomy, weather and climate, properties of matter and energy and motion in Physical Science.
The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Illinois Edition, 2005
Reading in Science – reproducible workbook
Grade-level reading science books for units
Additional bibliography and resources in each unit
Technology:
Science Newsroom CD-Rom
McGraw-Hill Online Textbook
Internet Sites:
www.science.mmhschool.com
www.timeforkids.com
www.amnh.org/resources/mhscience
Unit A: Characteristics of Living Things
Unit Overview: All living things can be classified based on similarities and differences.
Plants use photosynthesis to produce their own food. Animals must get food by eating
plants or other animals. Sexual and asexual reproduction is found in plants and animals.
Cells, the basic unit of life, occur in many forms and groupings and perform many
functions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Classifying Living Things
Plant Structure and Functions
Plant Diversity
Animal Diversity
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2d; 11.A.2e] [State Standard: 12.A.2a; 12.A.2b; 12.B.2b]
[State Standard: 13.A.2a; 13.B.2c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: “Magic School Bus – Goes to Seed”
“Bill Nye- Cells”
“Bill Nye – Plants”
“How Plants Grow”
Unit B: Living Things and Their Environment
Unit Overview: All organisms live in ecosystems where they depend on each other and
the natural resources of the environment. Ecosystems change constantly, with some
experiencing rapid modifications.
1.
2.
Interactions of Living Things
Ecosystems
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11A.2d] [State Standard: 12.B.2a; 12.B.2b] [State Standard:
13.A.2a; 13.B.2c; 13.B.2f; 13.B.2e]
22
Supplementary Materials:
Video: “Bill Nye – Water Cycle”
Video: “Bill Nye – Food Web”
MBG Learning Network: Biome video collection
www.mbgnet.mobot.org
Unit C: Earth and Its Resources
Unit Overview: Resources of rocks, soil, water and air make up Earth’s surface. The
surface is in constant change, being reshaped by natural forces. The resources are
becoming all the more precious as humans use up many of those that are nonrenewable.
1.
2.
Landforms, Rocks and Minerals
Air, Water and Energy
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2c; 11.A.2d; 11.A.2e] [State Standard: 12.C.2a; 12.E.2a;
12.E.2b; 12.E.2c] [State Standard: 13.A.2c; 13.B.2a; 13.B.2c; 13.B.2d; 13.B.2e; 13.b.2f]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: “Eyewitness Weather”
“Bill Nye – Pollution Solutions”
“Bill Nye – Earthquakes”
McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program - Recycling
Unit D: Astronomy, Weather and Climate
Unit Overview: Among the planets of the solar system, Earth is uniquely equipped to
support life. Many atmospheric factors affect weather and climate. Weather changes on a
daily basis depending on atmospheric conditions. Climate is defined by the weather
patterns over time.
1.
2.
3.
Astronomy
Weather
Weather Patterns and Climate
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2d; 11.B.2c] [State Standard: 12.E.2a; 12.F.2a; 12.F.2b;
12.F.2c][State Standard: 13.A.2a; 13.A.2b; 13.B.2b; 13.B.2c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: “Bill Nye – Solar System”
“Understanding Weather Concepts”
Unit E: Properties of Matter and Energy
Unit Overview: Matter is composed of parts that are too small to be seen without
magnification. Matter can be classified and described as elements, compounds, and
mixtures. All substances can undergo physical and chemical changes using different
forms of energy.
1.
2.
Properties and Structures of Matter
Forms of Matter and Energy
23
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2c; 11.A.2d; 11.A.2e][State Standard: 12.C.2a; 12.C.2b;
12.D.2b] [State Standard: 13.A.2a; 13.A.2c; 13.B.2a; 13.B.2c]
Supplementary Materials;
Video: “Magic School Bus – Ready, Set, Dough”
“Understanding Science Video: Matter”
“Bill Nye - Chemical Reactions”
“Bill Nye- Phases of Matter”
Unit F: Energy and Motion
Unit Overview: Energy is required to set things in motion. Moving objects can be
characterized using concepts such as force, velocity, acceleration, potential energy, and
kinetic energy.
1.
2.
3.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Sound Energy
a. Reflection and Absorption
Light Energy
b. Light and Lenses
c. Invisible Light
[State Standard: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.B.2a; 11.B.2b; 11.B.2c; 11.B.2d; 11.B.2e; 11.B.2f] [State
Standard: 12.C.2a; 12.D.2a; 12.D.2b] [State Standard: 13.B.2a; 13.B.2c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: “Bill Nye - Heat”
“Bill Nye – Energy”
“Bill Nye – Magnetism”
“Bill Nye – Static Electricity”
Disney Productions video: “Powerful Forces”
24
Sixth Grade Science Curriculum
The sixth grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Earth Science,
and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science – Level Red - McGraw Hill/Glencoe – Copyright 2005
Teacher Text Resources:
Science Skills Handout
Fast File Resources
Transparencies
Assessments
Technology:
Internet Support @ red.msscience.com
Teacher Works CD-ROM
Interactive Chalkboard
Virtual Labs CD-ROM
Student Works CD-ROM
Unit 1: The Nature of Matter
Unit Overview: The scientific inquiry is a method used to help understand the nature of matter. The
composition of atoms and subatomic particles, in relation to their physical and chemical properties explains
the flow of energy between interactions.
1. What is Science?
2. Science in Action
3. Models in Science
4. Evaluating Scientific Explanation
5. Description and Measurement
6. SI Units
7. Drawings, Tables, and Graphs
8. Physical Properties and Changes
9. Chemical Properties and Changes
10. Structure of Matter
11. The Simplest Matter
12. Compounds and Mixtures
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b;
11.B.3e; 11.B.3f][State Standard: 12.C.3a; 12.C.3b; 12.D.3b] [State Standard: 13.A.3a; 13.A.3b;
13.A.3c; 13.B.3a; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reactions – Bill Nye
Phases of Matter – Bill Nye
Unit 2: Interactions of Matter
Unit Overview: Understanding Newton’s Laws of Motion explain how motion is the result of forces that
interact with each other and act on objects. Simple machines are used to change the direction and force of
this motion. Electricity, magnetism, and waves, are forces to be studied.
1.
2.
Motion
Newton’s Laws of Motion
25
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Work and Simple Machines
Energy Changes
Temperature
Chemical Energy
Electric Charge and Forces
Electric Current
Magnetism
What are Waves?
Wave Properties
Wave Behavior
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b;
11.B.3e; 11.B.3f][State Standard: 12.C.3a; 12.C.3b; 12.D.3a; 12.D.3b; 12.F.3a][State Standard:
13.A.3a; 13.A.3b; 13.B.3a; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3f]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Matter and Energy
Energy Transformers
Friction/Simple Machines – Bill Nye
Magnetism/ Static Electricity – Bill Nye
Heat/ Energy – Bill Nye
Unit 3: Earth’s Changing Surface
Unit Overview: The earth is constantly changing. Weathering, erosion, and oceans currents contribute to
these changes. The study of rock forms and the rock cycle helps explain how these changes affect the earth.
1. Minerals
2. Igneous and Sedimentary Rocks
3. Metamorphic Rocks and the Rock Cycle
4. Earth’s Moving Plates
5. Uplift of Earth’s Crust
6. Weathering and Soil Formation
7. Erosion of Earth’s Crust
8. Ocean Water
9. Waves
10. Life in the Oceans
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b;
11.B.3b; 11.B.3c; 11.B.3d; 11.B.3e; 11.B.3f][State Standard: 12.D.3b; 12.E.3b; 12.F.3a][State Standard:
13.A.3a; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3d]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Waves/Water – Bill Nye
Ocean Life – Bill Nye
Earth’s Crust/Rocks and Soil – Bill Nye
Glaciers and Glacial Landforms
Amazing Planet Explosive Earth
Ocean – Eyewitness
Finite Oceans
Unit 4: Beyond Earth
Unit Overview: Exploration of space can be investigated by studying the solar system. The history of
manned space missions and the future progress of these missions is an important part of this exploration.
26
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Radiation from Space
Early Space Missions
Current and Future Space Missions
Earth’s Place in Space
The Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b; 11.B.3e;
11.B.3f][State Standard: 12.E.3b; 12.F.3a; 12.F.3b; 12.F.3c][State Standard: 13.A.3a; 13.A.3b;
13.B.3a; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video:
The Sun/The Planets- Bill Nye
The Moon/Outer Space – Bill Nye
Unit 5: Life’s Diversity
Unit Overview: The study of structure and scale of vertebrates and invertebrates is key to the classification
and understanding of their role in the world.
1. What is an Animal?
2. Classification
3. Sponges, Cnidarians, Flatworms, and Roundworms
4. Mollusks and Segmented Worms
5. Arthropods and Echinoderms
6. Chordate Animals
7. Amphibians and Reptiles
8. Birds
9. Mammals
[State Standard: 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b; 11.B.3c; 11.B.3d;
11.B.3e; 11.B.3f] [State Standard: 12.A.3b; 12.B.3b] [State Standard: 13.A.3a]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Marine Invertebrates
Insects – Eyewitness
Butterfly and Moth
Insects and Spiders and Mites
Benefits of Insects
Living Things Grow and Respond
Creatures of the Shallow Seas
Seashore – Eyewitness
Treasures of the Great Barrier Reef
Wild Mammals of Illinois
Amphibians –Eyewitness
What is an Amphibian?
Reptiles – Eyewitness
Fish – Eyewitness
27
Unit 6: Life and the Environment
Unit Overview: The interactions between the ecosystems play a pivotal part for saving the earth’s
resources.
1. What is an Ecosystem?
2. Relationships Among Living Things
3. Energy Through the Ecosystem
4. Natural Resource Use
5. People and the Environment
6. Protecting the Environment
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b; 11.B.3e;
11.B.3f][State Standard: 12.A.3b; 12.B.3a; 12.B.3b; 12.C.3a; 12.E.3c][State Standard: 13.A.3a;
13.B.3d; 13.B.3e; 13.B.3f]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Rain Forest – National Geographic
Tropical Rain Forest: Utilization and Destruction
Food Web- Bill Nye
Life Cycles – Bill Nye
Biodiversity/Garbage - Bill Nye
28
Seventh Grade Science Curriculum
The Seventh Grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Chemistry,
Earth Science, and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
Textbook: Science – Level Green, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Illinois Edition, 2005
Resources include supporting transparencies, worksheets, labs, and assessments by unit
Additional supplemental materials referenced by topic
Technology: Internet Support @ green.msscience.com
At Home Resources include internet access to text (with a password) and support
activities @ green.msscience.com
Unit 1: Science Process Skills
Unit Overview: A thorough understanding of process skills is the basis for a hands-on inquiry based
science curriculum. It allows students to conduct investigations in an organized way, collect and interpret
data and utilize their results to arrive valid conclusion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Observation vs. Inference
Metric measurement of length, volume, mass, temperature using appropriate tools and techniques
Conversion from one metric unit to another
Identifying and manipulating variables
Prediction and hypothesizing
Practice of steps of a scientific investigation
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11A.3g] [State Standard:
13.A.3a; 13.A.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c]
Supplementary Materials:
Books: Teaching Science Process Skills by Ramig, Bailer, Ramsey: Good Apple
Rising to the Challenge by Ostlund, Mercier: S & K Associates
Unit 2: Earth’s Atmosphere
Unit Overview: Earth’s atmosphere maintains for us a balance between the energy absorbed from the Sun
and the heat that that escapes back into space. An understanding of the transfer of energy under various
conditions within the lower layers of the atmosphere can answer questions about regional climate, the dayto-day weather conditions we experience, and the possibility of global warming.
1. Layers of the atmosphere
2. Energy transfer in the atmosphere
3. Formation of wind
4. Factors that affect weather and cloud formation
5. Weather patterns and severe weather: thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards
6. Factors that determine climate and bring about climate change
7. The greenhouse effect and global warming
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11A.3g; 11.B.3a]
[State Standard: 12.C.3a; 12.E.3b] [State Standard: 13.B.3a; 13.B.3d; 13.B.3e; 13.B.3f]
29
Supplementary Materials:
Books: GEMS Guide – Convection Connection
Video: Bill Nye – Atmosphere
Eyewitness – Weather
Discovery Channel – Tornadoes
Discovery Channel - Hurricanes
Unit 3: Basis of Life
Unit Overview: The cell is the most basic unit of all living things. With knowledge of the parts and
processes that go on in the cell, we have a foundation for understanding the functions of more complex
organisms.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
How living things are organized and what they need
Classification of living things
Cellular structure
Viruses
Chemical workings of the cell
Movement of cellular substances: diffusion, active transport, endocytosis, and exocytosis
Metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and fermentation
Cell reproduction: mitosis and meiosis
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11A.3g] [State Standard:
12.A.3a; 12.A.3b; 12.A.3c; 12.D.3a]
Unit 4: Human Body Systems
Unit Overview: With a thorough understanding of how our major body systems work, our awareness of
how the body as a whole reacts in a variety of circumstances increases. This allows us to make healthy
choices that hopefully will be reflected in a healthier lifestyle.
1. Circulatory system and blood
2. Lymphatic system and immunity
3. Digestive system and review of nutrition basics
4. Respiratory system
5. Excretory system: digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system, skin
6. Muscular system
7. Skeletal system
8. Nervous system and the senses
9. Endocrine system
10. Reproductive system
11. Human life stages
[State Standard: 12.A.3a; 12.A.3c; 12.D.3a] [State Standard: 13.B.3a]
Supplementary Materials:
Book: Meeks & Heit Totally Awesome Health
Video: The Learning Channel – Teen Species – Girls and Boys
Nova – The Miracle of Life
30
Unit 5: The Interdependence of Life
Unit Overview: Plants play a vital role in the survival of most life on Earth. With plants
as the basis for the food web, we gain insight into the roles that all organisms play in the environment. The
Earth’s resources and how they are maintained can affect the environment and ultimately the balance that
exist between the organisms that depend on them.
1. Plant classification and characteristics
2. Environmental interactions between biotic and abiotic factors
3. Relationships between populations of living organisms
4. Biomes
5. Energy flow through ecosystems – food chains & food webs
6. Conserving natural resources
7. Effects of pollution on the environment
8. Recycling
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f; 11A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b] [State
Standard: 12.A.3a; 12.A.3b; 12.A.3c; 12.B.3a; 12.B.3b; 12.E.3b; 12.E.3c] [State Standard: 13.B.3d;
13.B.3e; 13.B.3f]
Supplementary Materials:
Teacher Resource Kit – National Geographic GeoKit: Plants
Video:
Eyewitness – Plants
National Geographic – The Savage Garden
National Geographic – Wild Survivors: Camouflage and Mimicry
Bill Nye – Biodiversity
Bill Nye – Pollution Solutions
Unit 6: Matter and Energy
Unit Overview: Observation and personal experience provide us with the ability to see how matter can
change depending on a variety of conditions. The principles that govern matter in a given form can help to
explain phenomenon we experience daily and is the basis for understanding occurrences in other branches
of science.
1. Physical and chemical properties
2. Physical and chemical change
3. Changes in states of matter
4. Differences between substances and mixtures
5. Solutions and solubility
6. Behavior of fluids including pressure and buoyant force
7. The various forms of energy
8. Changing forms of energy
9. Energy Resources
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11A.3g]
[State Standard: 12.B.3a; 12.C.3a; 12.C.3b; 12.D.3a] [State Standard: 13.B.3a]
Supplementary Materials:
Book: GEMS – Dry Ice Investigations
Video: Bill Nye Videos– Phases of Matter, Pressure, and Buoyancy
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Eighth Grade Science Curriculum
The Eighth Grade science curriculum encompasses units within the strands of Life Science, Chemistry,
Earth Science, and Physical Science. The following materials form the core of this program:
McGraw Hill/Glencoe (Integrated Version © 2005)
Science – Level Blue
Resources include supporting transparencies, worksheets, labs, and assessments by unit
Additional supplemental materials referenced by topic
Technology: Internet Support @ blue.msscience.com
At Home Resources include internet access to text (with a password) and support activities @
blue.msscience.com
Unit 1: Humans and Heredity
Unit Overview: Our bodies consist of a complex coordination of body systems that work together to carry
out important life functions. The interaction of these systems can be affected not only by how we treat our
bodies but on our environment. The study of genetics starts with our knowledge of the cell and how it
replicates. The traits that inherited are determined not only by parentage and but over time by
environmental factors. The choices that are made that affect our bodies and minds can ultimately affect our
health and well being.
1. Organization of the human body and how body systems connect
2. Review of cell processes, mitosis and a more in-depth study of meiosis
3. Genetic basics including prediction of genetic outcomes
4. Environmental influences on heredity over time
5. Discussion of choices teens are confronted with including smoking, alcohol and drug use, and
physical intimacy that could affect their health
6. Exploration of techniques to avoid choices that may be harmful
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f] [State Standard: 12.A.3a; 12.A.3b,
12.A.3c; 12.B.3b]
Supplementary Materials:
Teacher Resource Manual: ETR & Associates Sex Can Wait
Meeks & Heit Totally Awesome Health
Unit 2: Earth’s Changes over Time
Unit Overview: The processes of geological change can be traced to the mechanisms of plate tectonics.
The study of plate tectonics allows us to explain the reasons why and where volcanoes, earthquakes, and
tsunamis occur. Exploring characteristics of rocks, rock formations, and fossils is all evidence that helps
explain the geological history of the Earth.
1. Theory of plate tectonics
2. Why and where earthquakes and resulting tsunamis may occur
3. Why and where volcanoes occur
4. Minerals, rocks, and the rock cycle
5. Fossils and their role as indicator of geologic time
[State Standard: 11.A.3b; 11.A.3f] [State Standard: 12.E.3b] [State Standard: 13.B.3a; 13.B.3b;
13.B.3d]
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Supplementary Materials:
Video: EVN – America’s Great Volcanoes
EVN – Earthquakes
National Geographic – Killer Wave: Power of the Tsunami
Eyewitness Video – Rocks & Minerals
Unit 3: Earth’s Place in the Universe
Unit Overview: Theories about the structure of the universe have been developed over thousands of years
and can be explored through observation of common astronomical events. From information gathered from
the far reaches of our galaxy to the study of our moon, the study of astronomy explains phenomena we are
experience here on Earth.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Earth – facts and the reasons we experience seasonal change
Moon – its relationship with Earth, cause of phases and eclipses
Solar system – history of through our current model and study of individual planets
Other objects in the solar system – comets, meteors, asteroids
Stars – the Sun, constellations, evolutions of stars, galaxies, and the universe
[State Standard: 12.C.3a; 12.E.3c; 12.F.3a; 12.F.3b; 12.F.3c] [State Standard: 13.A.3b; 13.B.3a;
13.B.3b]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Discovery Channel – Understanding the Universe
Bill Nye – The Moon
Bill Nye – The Sun
Unit 4: Chemistry of Matter
Unit Overview: The basic structure of matter is the atom. Knowledge of elements and the atoms that they
consist of, can be described using the periodic table and help explain atoms bond to form molecules and
compounds we all recognize. Under a variety of conditions these substances can change and react with
each other and the environment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Atomic structure and its discovery
Organizational patterns of the periodic table and its implications
Electron arrangement and resulting type of bonds
Chemical formula basics
Chemical equations and what they indicate about a reaction
Rates of chemical reactions and how they can changed
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g] [State Standard: 12.C.3a,
12.C.3b] [State Standard: 13.A.3a; 13.A.3b]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Bill Nye – Chemical Reactions
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Unit 5: Motion, Forces, and Energy
Unit Overview: With an emphasis on observation and personal experience, the concepts of force and
motion draw on situations we see and experience. A thorough understanding allows us to name the force
that applies and evaluate and explain how it occurs.
1. Describing motion – position, speed, velocity and their measurement
2. Positive and negative acceleration and their measurement
3. Inertia, momentum, and the law of conservation of momentum
4. Forces and Newton’s laws
5. Work and power and their measurement
6. Simple machines and where they can be found
[State Standard: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3d; 11.A.3e; 11.A.3f; 11.A.3g; 11.B.3a; 11.B.3b;
11.B.3c; 11.B.3d; 11.B.3e; 11.B.3f] [State Standard: 12.C.3a; 12.D.3a; 12.D.3b]
[State Standard: 13.A.3e; 13.B.3a; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3e]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Bill Nye - Friction
Bill Nye – Momentum
Bill Nye – Simple Machines
Unit 6: Physical Interactions
Unit Overview: Magnetism and electricity are forms of energy that we all experience and have come to
depend on. Knowledge of how each is created, how their energy is conveyed, promotes understanding of
their practical and safe use. The properties of wave energy explain the phenomenon of sound and light.
How both are created, how they travel, and how they can be altered, helps to explain things we hear and see
everyday.
Electricity and Magnetism
1. Electric charge as it relates to static electricity and electric current
2. Electric circuits – types and measurement of current, voltage, and resistance
3. Magnetism – naturally occurring and created
4. Creating current – battery vs. generator
5. Practical uses of magnetism and electricity
Sound and Light
1. Overview of types of waves and their properties
2. Sound waves – creation, qualities, altering, and measuring
3. Light waves – qualities and the electromagnetic spectrum
4. Human perception of sound and light
[State Standard: 11.A.3a, 11.A.3b, 11.A.3c; 11A.3d, 11.A.3f, 11.A.3g] [State Standard: 12.E.3b] [State
Standard: 13.A.3c; 13.B.3a; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3c]
Supplementary Materials:
Video: Discovery Channel – Understanding Electricity
Bill Nye – Sound
Bill Nye – Light & Color
Bill Nye – Light & Optics
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