Super Important Links

Course Syllabus

Physical Science Classroom Orientation

Physical Science Course Basics

Mastery-Based Grading

Grading Philosophy and Explanation

 Articles about Mastery-Based Grading

Course Timeline Guide Document

Topics and Lessons

Topic 1: Cause and Effect Relationships

(estimated time: 2-3 weeks)

1. The Nature of Science (interactive notes)

2. Observations and Inferences (interactive notes)

3. Scientific Terms with the Simpson’s (worksheet)

4. Understanding Independent and Dependent Variables (worksheet)

5. Making Line Graphs (worksheet)

6. Finding Range and Graphing Intervals (interactive notes)

7. Plotting and Interpreting Data (interactive notes)

8. The Origin and Graphing Intervals (interactive notes)

9. Graphing Pennies 1 (activity lab)

10. Graphing Pennies 2 (activity lab)

Answer Key Document

Prepare for Cause and Effect Assessment (AI prompts)

Topic 2: Systems of Measurement

(estimated time: 4-5 weeks)

1. Independent and Dependent Concepts (interactive notes)

2. Basic Steps to Graphing (interactive notes)

3. Distance in the Imperial System (interactive notes)

3a. Measuring Imperial Distance (activity lab)

4. Distance in the International System (Interactive notes worksheet)

4a. Measuring Standard Distance (interactive notes and activity lab)

5. Understanding Volume (interactive notes worksheet)

5a. Volume Activity Lab (interactive notes and activity lab)

6. Measuring Mass Activity Lab (interactive notes and activity lab)

7. Derived Units Activity Lab 1 (interactive notes and activity lab)

8. Scientific Notation (interactive notes)

8a. Scientific Notation Practice (worksheet)

9. Derived Units Activity Lab 2 (worksheet)

10. Unit Conversion Tutorial (worksheet)

11. Cancelling Squared and Cubed Units (interactive notes)

12. Derived Units Activity Lab 3 (worksheet)

Answer Key Document

Prepare for Systems of Measurement Assessment (AI prompts)

Topic 3: Energy and Energy Transfer

(estimated time: 3-4 weeks)

1. Introduction to Energy (reading assignment)

2. Calculating Energy (interactive notes)

3. PhET Energy Skate Park (virtual lab with guided worksheet)

3a. Work = F x D (worksheet)

4. Solving Pe and Ke Problems (interactive notes)

5. Pe and Ke Practice Problems (worksheet)

6. Energy Transfer (interactive notes)

6a. Temperature Conversion (interactive notes)

7. Wave Properties (interactive notes)

8. Solving Wave Problems (interactive notes)

8a. Solving Wave Problems (worksheet)

9. Pendulum Motion Lab (activity lab)

10. Speed of Sound Lab (activity lab)

Answer Key Document

Prepare for Energy and Energy Transfer Assessment (AI prompts)

Topic 4: Kinematics and Newton's Laws

(estimated time: 4-5 weeks)

1. Introduction to Kinematics (reading assignment)

2. Speed Activity Lab (activity lab with guided worksheet)

3. Solving Speed Problems (interactive notes)

4. Analyzing Velocity and Motion (worksheet)

5. Exploring Inertia (activity lab)

6. Newton's First Law (reading assignment)

7. Average Velocity (activity lab)

8. Velocity Lab Data Discussion (interactive notes)

9. A Change in Velocity (activity lab)

10. Introduction to Forces (interactive notes)

11. Force Diagrams (reading assignment)

12. Forces and Motion (virtual lab with guided worksheet)

13. Acceleration (activity lab)

14. Force and Gravity (interactive notes)

15. Free Body Diagrams and Net Force (worksheet)

16. F = ma (worksheet)

Answer Key Document

Prepare for Kinematics and Newton's Laws Assessment (AI prompts)

Topic 5: Electricity and Magnetism

(estimated time: 1-2 weeks)

1. Static Flyer (activity lab)

2. Seeing Magnetic Fields (activity lab)

3. Quantifying Magnetic Fields (activity lab)

4. Electricity and Magnetism (interactive notes)

5.  PhET Series and Parallel Circuits (virtual lab and guided worksheet)