-Syllabus-

Science is much more than simply memorizing facts from a textbook.  Therefore, in our science class we will be working on improving your ability to “do” science.  The practices that we will be working on the most are the following:

·        Asking questions and defining problems

·        Developing and using models

·        Planning and carrying out investigations

·        Analyzing and interpreting data

·        Using mathematics and computational thinking

·        Constructing explanations and designing solutions

·        Engaging in argument from evidence

·        Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

We will be using these practices to investigate a wide range of different topics.  In sixth grade earth science, these topics are:

·        Natural Resources

·        Earth’s Structure

·        Minerals and Rocks

·        Erosion and Deposition

·        Plate Tectonics

·        Clues to Earth’s Past and Geologic Time

·        Weather and Climate

·        The Sun-Earth-Moon System

·        The Solar System

In eighth grade physical science, these topics are:

·        Atoms, Elements and the Periodic Table

·        States of Matter, Physical and Chemical Properties

·        Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonds

·        Chemical Reactions and Equations

·        Motion and Momentum

·        Force and Newton’s Laws

·        Work, Energy and Energy Resources

·        Thermal Energy

·        Waves

·        Electricity and Magnetism