URBANDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK OUTLINE
SUBJECT:
Science
COURSE TITLE:
General Science
GRADE LEVEL:
Grade 9
2 Credits
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION: General Science introduces the students to the physical world and
prepares them for future science courses. General Science is an inquiry based course consisting
of two semesters. One semester will include scientific inquiry and Earth/space science. The
topics include but are not limited to: scientific method, experimentation, plate tectonic forces,
earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, erosion, and celestial bodies. The other semester will include
chemistry and physics topics. Such as: matter, the Periodic table, chemical bonds and reactions,
motion, forces, fluids, simple machines, waves and electricity.
CONTENT STANDARDS AND BENCHMARKS FOR GENERAL SCIENCE:
In order that our students may achieve the maximum benefit from their talents and abilities, the
students of Urbandale Community School District’s General Science should be able to …
Content Standard I.
Understand and apply the concepts of life science.
Not addressed in this course.
Content Standard II.
Benchmarks:
Understand and apply the concepts of Earth and space science.
Recognize the constructive forces that shape the Earth.
Recognize the destructive forces that shape the Earth.
Discuss concepts relating to the universe and its origin.
Content Standard III. Understand and apply the concepts of physical science
Benchmarks:
Identify and apply concepts related to mechanics, forces, and motion.
Discuss and apply the concepts and types of energy.
Identify the properties and changes of matter.
Content Standard IV. Understand and apply the concepts of health science.
Not addressed in this course.
Content Standard V.
Benchmarks:
Understand and apply scientific method.
Apply the processes and skills of scientific inquiry.
Design and conduct a scientific investigation.
Analyze and interpret scientific information.
Urbandale Community School District © 2009
Grade 9 General Science
URBANDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK OUTLINE
SUBJECT:
Science
COURSE TITLE:
General Science
GRADE LEVEL:
Grade 9
2 Credits
PREREQUISITES: None
CONTENT STANDARDS AND COURSE BENCHMARKS WITH INDICATORS FOR
GENERAL SCIENCE.
Standard I.
Understand and apply the concepts of life science.
Not addressed in this course.
Standard II.
Understand and apply the concepts of Earth and space science. The
students in General Science should be able to…
Benchmark:
Recognize the constructive forces that shape the Earth.
Indicators:
Explain how plate tectonic forces construct crustal features.
Match stressors to the crustal movements.
Assessments:
Graphic Organizers
DVD tutorial
Labs
Quizzes and Tests
Websites
Benchmark:
Recognize the destructive forces that shape the Earth.
Indicators:
Recall the process of erosion and its relationship to the hydrologic cycle and
river systems.
Locate and identify real world examples of destructive forces.
Assessments:
Labs
Quizzes and Tests
Websites
Benchmark:
Discuss concepts relating to the universe and its origin.
Urbandale Community School District © 2009
Grade 9 General Science
Indicators:
Identify the origins and evolution of the celestial bodies.
Explain the Big Bang and Solar Nebulae theory.
Recognize the stages of development for celestial bodies.
Compare and contrast the differences of stars in varying stages.
Assessments:
Worksheets
Labs
Graphing
Interactive activities
Quizzes and Tests
Websites
Standard III.
Understand and apply the concepts of physical science. The students
in General Science should be able to…
Benchmark:
Identify and apply concepts related to mechanics, forces, and motion.
Indicators:
Describe and apply the concepts of Laws of Motion.
Apply concepts of the universal force, gravity.
Recall and contrast electrical and gravitational forces.
Assessments:
District Assessment
Building of model that includes 3 or more simple machines
Quizzes and Tests
Benchmark:
Discuss and apply the concepts and types of energy.
Indicators:
Illustrate why total energy of universe is constant.
Demonstrate that heat consists of random motion and the vibrations of atoms,
molecules, and ions.
Assessments:
Pendulum Lab
Quizzes and Tests
Benchmark:
Identify the properties and changes of matter.
Indicators:
Explain the concepts of how atoms interact.
Explain how the concepts of the periodic table help in solving problems.
Compare single atoms with compounds.
Demonstrate concepts of the interactions of molecules in a substance.
Discuss the action of molecules in gases, liquids and solids as conditions
change.
Assessments:
Labs on periodic table
Quizzes and Tests
Urbandale Community School District © 2009
Grade 9 General Science
Standard IV.
Understand and apply the concepts of health science.
Not addressed in this course.
Standard V.
Understand and apply scientific method. The students in General Science
should be able to…
Benchmark:
Apply the processes and skills of scientific inquiry.
Indicators:
Demonstrate lab safety.
Use the scientific method to investigate ideas.
Assessments:
Lab investigations
Worksheets
Quizzes and Tests
Benchmark:
Design and conduct a scientific investigation.
Indicators:
Identify a hypothesis.
Write scientific experiment based on hypothesis.
Assessments:
Lab write-ups
Benchmark:
Analyze and interpret scientific information.
Indicators:
Demonstrate graphing, charting, technology use and mathematics to improve
investigations and communications.
Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and
evidence.
Demonstrate critical and logical thinking to make the relationships between
evidence and explanations.
Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.
Communicate and defend scientific procedures and explanations.
Assessments:
Lab write ups
Graphs/charts
Explanations for defense of scientific approach
No student enrolled in the Urbandale Community School District shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefi
fits of, or be subjected to discrimination in the District's programs on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion,
marital status, ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic
background. The policy of the District shall be to provide educational programs and opportunities for students as
needed on the basis of individual interests, values, abilities and potential.
Urbandale Community School District © 2009
Grade 9 General Science