Chemistry for Middle School - Exploring Density
This 4-week course will explore density, displacement, and the relationship between temperature and density through short lessons, labs, simulations, videos, and games. This course follows NGSS standards MS-PS1-1 and MS-PS1-3. #academic
Ashley McLaurin
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(736)
Popular
Rising Star
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. I will provide OPTIONAL practice sheets to reinforce concepts from class. This packet will be given to students on the first day of class. It will include notes, lab sheets, and practice problems.Assessment
Formative: Frequent questions, lab questions, and prompts to engage in discussion and determine the level of understanding. Summative: Quiz *Printout available for parents to track progress by request.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Chemistry is one of the pillars of middle school science. Your student will be introduced to chemistry through hands-on lab experience, classic classroom preparation, and games. This series includes the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) for middle school students from 6th to 8th grade. There will be drawings, hands-on activities, and opportunities to practice concepts for better understanding. Each week will focus on a specific idea, and there will be an opportunity to explore ideas between classes. Week 1 - What is Density? Students will use their knowledge of molecules and their behavior to explore density. Students will learn how density is the ratio between an object's mass and volume through doodle notes, demos, and games. Week 2 - Water Displacement Simulation (Splash!) Students will learn to calculate an irregularly shaped object's volume using water displacement. Students will complete an interactive lab activity to find the density of unknown materials. Week 3 - Density Tower Lab Students explore the behavior of solids and liquids due to their densities. In class, we will create a density tower, students are encouraged to develop their own, and we will experiment with different types of solids to see how they behave. Students will use their knowledge from previous lessons to calculate the densities of the layers of their towers. Week 4 - How Does Temperature Affect Density? Hot Air Balloon Lab! Students will describe, on the molecular level, the effect of heating and cooling substances and their densities. Students will be shown how to make tissue paper or plastic bag hot air balloons to help. Let's make hot air balloons!
Learning Goals
MS-PS1-1 Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules
and extended structures.
MS-PS1-3 Gather and make sense of information to describe where synthetic materials come from.
Other Details
Supply List
Guided note packet. Optional: Paper, colored pencils, markers, or pens for notes. Materials for OPTIONAL activities will be sent along with the note packet.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
- The American Chemical Society
- PheT
- Gimkit
- Blooket
- PBS Density Lab
Sources
The American Chemical Society with permission.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
736reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Indiana Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Ball State University
Welcome to my Outschool profile! I'm an enthusiastic science educator with a passion for inspiring young minds. With over a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in middle and high school sciences, including chemistry, physics, and biology.
My approach to teaching is all about making science relatable, exciting, and empowering for students. I focus not just on the facts but on teaching them how to think like scientists, solve problems, and use scientific language effectively. This builds their confidence and helps them see science as a skill they can master, opening doors to further exploration and advanced studies.
Whether you're looking for ongoing classes, one-time sessions, or semester-long courses, I offer a range of options to suit your needs. I'm also available for personalized tutoring and test preparation. If you are still looking for a time or topic that fits your schedule, feel free to reach out, and I'll do my best to accommodate you.
Let's embark on a journey of discovery and learning together! I can't wait to share my love for science with your students. Contact me to discuss how we can make science come alive in a way that's meaningful and fun for them. See you in class!Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week, 4 weeks
45 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
2-8 learners per class
