Oceanside Middle School

SCIENCE CURRICULUM:

The program at the Oceanside Middle School is designed to develop an awareness of physical and life sciences and to nurture curiosity about the natural world. Curriculum is aligned with the science content and process skills outlined in the New York State Department of Education MST Standards as well as district, school and department goals in order for students to attain the necessary background to participate successfully in our highly scientific and technological society.

Teaching is consistent with the nature of scientific inquiry. Complex ideas are presented simply, developed logically, and are reinforced when students engage in hands-on, problem-solving investigations in the laboratory environment. Teachers focus instruction on understanding important relationships, processes, and applications of concepts through the use of “key ideas” and “essential questions”. Opportunities to connect the classroom to the real-world are provided through field trips and speakers.

Assessments test students' ability to explain, analyze, and interpret scientific processes and phenomena as well as their ability to recall specific facts. Strategies include tests, lab reports, performance based assessment, research projects, multi-media presentations, and class discussions.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE/ 7 th GRADE:

Curriculum Planning Sheet
Subject Area: Science—Physical Science

	Time Frame	Essential Question	Big Ideas & Concepts	Content	Skills/Vocab
Q1	Sept.- mid-Nov.	What is science?	Scientific Method is a way to solve problems, test hypotheses, and develop explanations of the natural world Uniformity in measurement is necessary for accurate information	Metric Measurement: Use appropriate units for measured or calculated values Volume-solids (irreg. & reg.) and liquids Linear measurement Mass	Skills: Follow safety procedures Measurement tools: (e.g., graduated cylinder, triple beam balance, metric ruler, thermometers Use Scientific Method: (e.g., observing, asking questions, making hypotheses, designing testable questions, gathering, recording, and interpreting data, forming conclusions, making inferences and communicating) Identify dependent/independent variables and constants in a simple controlled experiment
Q2	Mid-Nov.-Dec.	How do the laws (of motion) help us predict changes?	Energy and matter interact through forces that result in changes in motion	Force and Motion Energy and Matter Graphing Frame of Reference Velocity/speed Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion Solving equations for speed & acceleration Gravity	Skills: Utilize scientific method Recognize, describe and analyze patterns and trends Determine speed and acceleration of a moving object Use spring scale and stopwatch
Q3	Jan.- March	What are the effects of the interactions of matter and energy on the physical world?	Energy exists in many forms Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only changed from one form to another	Waves— Sound Electromagnetic Spectrum Transfer of energy Law of Conservation of Energy	Skills: Identify cause and effect relationships Observe, measure, describe, classify, sequence
Q4	April - June	What is matter?	Matter is made up of particles whose properties determine the observable characteristics of matter and it reactivity	Phases of Matter Observe and describe properties of materials such as density, conductivity, and solubility Distinguish between chemical/physical changes Atomic structure/bonds	Skills: Chemical interaction labs (e.g., endo & exothermic reactions, separate parts of a mixture) Use indicators and interpret results Identify unknown elements using physical & chemical properties Determine the density of liquids, and regular-and irregular shaped solids Classify, & Interpret and make predictions using the Periodic Table of Elements

Life Science/ 8th grade

Curriculum Planning Sheet
Grade Level: 8 Subject Area: Science—Life Science

	Time Frame	Essential Questions	Big Ideas & Concepts	Content	Skills/Vocab
Q1	Sept- mid-Nov	What is life? Are living things more similar or different?	Living things are both similar and different from each other and from nonliving things Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life: Homeostasis Structure is related to function Transformation of Energy	Characteristics of organisms Chemistry of life Cell Structure and Function -diffusion & osmosis -photosynthesis	Skills: Scientific Inquiry: (e.g., asking questions, making hypotheses, gathering, recording, and interpreting data, analyzing explanations and communicating) is an integral component of this course. manipulate compound microscope determine size of microscopic object using scale determine surface/vol. ratio prepare wet mount slide
Q2	Mid-Nov. -Jan	Are living things more similar or different? How do living things maintain homeostasis?	Homeostasis & Transformation of Energy continued Organisms inherit genetic information in a variety of ways that results in continuity of life	Cellular respiration Sexual/asexual reproduction -mitosis/meiosis -reproductive systems -fertilization -development	Skills: Compare/contrast Making analogies Sequence events Identify Cause/Effect relationships Use indicators and interpret results Use scientific method
Q3	Feb.-mid-April	How do living things maintain homeostasis? How are organisms adapted to their environment?	Organisms inherit genetic information that results in continuity of life Individual organisms & species change over time Maintaining homeostasis: Dynamic Equilibrium	Genetics: -Mendel overview -DNA/RNA -Protein synthesis -diseases -mutations Evolution -Natural selection Homeostasis & Immunity Human Body Systems-function of major organ systems and their interactions Ecology -relationships -interactions -human influence on environment (+ and -)	Design/use Punnett square or pedigree chart to predict probability of certain traits Compare/contrast Making analogies Sequence events Identify Cause/Effect Rel. Interpret and/or illustrate the energy flow in a food chain, energy pyramid, or food web Identify pulse points and pulse rates Recognize and analyze patterns and trends
Q4	Mid-April – Mid-May Mid-May- June			Review for NYS Grade 8 Science Assessment: Content grades 5-8 Lab practical skills grades 5-8 Integrated Project	Review all measurement tools: Metric ruler, balance, grad. cylinder, thermometer, spring scale, stop watch Use appropriate units Classify objects Develop and Use Dichotomous Key Record & Graph Data

LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS:

This is a high school equivalent course carrying one unit of credit. This program will enable the student to explain, both accurately and with appropriate depth, the most important ideas about our living environment. As a prerequisite for admission to the regents examination, each student must successfully complete 1200 minutes of laboratory experience, including the four NYS mandated labs, with satisfactory written reports for each laboratory investigation.

Student achievement will be constantly monitored. An average of 85 must be maintained throughout the year. Parent conferences are made when a student's success in is jeopardy. Considerations are given toward the removal of the student who fails to meet the established standards of the course. Selection is based upon the overall evaluation of the student based upon the student's standardized test scores in reading and mathematics, seventh grade evaluations, and the science teacher's recommendation.

SCIENCE RESEARCH:

Students who demonstrate a strong interest in science research may be recommended for the course by their science or Project Extra/Discovery teacher. During this course, which meets every other day, students will learn how to conduct science research and will begin to develop an in-depth research project. They will participate in the Oceanside Middle School Science Fair and have an opportunity to compete in regional science fairs.