GENERAL CLASS FORMAT
*Notes/Classroom Discussion *Lab(s)/Demonstration(s) *Review (often in the form of a game) *Homework Assigned and Explained DOODLE NOTES/LECTURE/ORGANIZATION Every class we will learn how to take notes from a lecture by using Doodle Notes. These graphic notes help students retain key concepts and ease them into taking notes from a lecture. When appropriate we will watch short clips and learn songs to help us remember content. Students will be asked to maintain a doodle note notebook to reference throughout the year. LABS/DEMONSTRATIONS We will complete at least one experiment and/or demonstration and often more. We will focus on the scientific method every single week and will use all of our labs to learn how to think like scientists. We will utilize a growth mentality and learn how to analyze our results. REVIEW: We will connect old concepts to new. Many times throughout the year, we will play games to help us retain information. HOMEWORK: At home, your student will utilize God's Design for Life (MB edition). Students will be asked to complete three days of homework a week. Each day they will read around 4-5 pages of text, answer 6-8 comprehension questions, and study flashcards. QUIZZES/TESTING: All testing will be completed at home. This will allow for modifications to be made for students with learning difficulties without drawing attention to them. This also means that valuable class time will not be taken up with activities that can be completed easily at home. REQUIRED TEXT: * God's Design for Life (MB edition) $39.99 https://www.masterbooks.com/gods-design-for-life-mb-edition Manufacturer Master Books Title God's Design for Life (MB Edition) ISBN 139781683441274 Contributors Debbie Lawrence , Richard Lawrence Binding Paperback Page Count392 REQUIRED SUPPLIES: Three Ring Binders-1 inch 5 Plastic Dividers (Please label them-Info, Notes, Labs, Past HW, Current HW) Zippered Pouch to store flashcards RATIONAL FOR APPROACH: There are two different approaches when talking about Middle School Science, the most common being survey courses that repeat much of the same information year after year adding only a few more details. Many criticisms of the American Public Education System is the "mile wide and inch deep" curriculum inherent in repeated survey courses. The second approach is to focus on individual subjects and (over the course of 3-4 years) study each with much greater depth, linking them together when appropriate. I have found that the first approach often creates "zoned out" students who think they already know all there is to know about a subject, when in reality they only know surface details. We will be following the second approach. We will dive deep into our study and hopefully created passionate science students! Over the next four years, I will offer Middle School Science Classes with an emphasize in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences/Astronomy, providing a firm foundation for high school science classes. We will approach this material from a Christian Worldview, but we will utilize some secular resources. Students must be prepared academically to address views that may conflict with what they believe. With this in mind we will not ignore an academic study of theories that conflict with biblical teaching, we will instead look at them only as theories and not as scientific facts. Christians do not need to worry that their viewpoint is less scientific, but rather, Christians can use science as a way for us to see God's creativity and order. |
Playing around with lines
of symmetry and balance EXAMPLE OF MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE HOMEWORK https://docs.google.com/document/d/12fvG9GBACVgu2XgktkwSgmWyWmZN-54h2ydHBz5gbbc/edit?usp=sharing
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