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Middle School Earth Science With Weekly Labs: Semester 1: 17 Weeks
Mrs. Collins, Certified Teacher
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(77)
Welcome to Semester 1 of Earth Science where students are encouraged to think like scientists and cultivate their curiosity. This class will feature lots of hands-on labs to encourage critical thinking. We will focus this semester on famous scientist, Earth's layers, rocks/minerals, erosion, and the seafloor. Families get a $35 off coupon after semester 1 to use on semester 2.
Class experience
In this class, we will cover the first half of the Earth Science Middle School curriculum, aligned with state standards. Students are encouraged to think like scientists and cultivate their curiosity. Many hands-on labs will be assigned so that students can use the scientific method to improve critical thinking in regards to Earth Science. Students will perform 4-5 weekly task, participate in class discussions and complete engaging projects. Earth Science Semester 1 Topics: Layers Of...
https://www.nextgenscience.org/ I will be meeting the state and Next Generation Science Standards in this course. Students who demonstrate understanding can: HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems. [Clarification Statement: Examples should include climate feedbacks, such as how an increase in greenhouse gases causes a rise in global temperatures that melts glacial ice, which reduces the amount of sunlight reflected from Earth's surface, increasing surface temperatures and further reducing the amount of ice. Examples could also be taken from other system interactions, such as how the loss of ground vegetation causes an increase in water runoff and soil erosion; how dammed rivers increase groundwater recharge, decrease sediment transport, and increase coastal erosion; or how the loss of wetlands causes a decrease in local humidity that further reduces the wetland extent.] HS-ESS2-3. Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on both a one-dimensional model of Earth, with radial layers determined by density, and a three-dimensional model, which is controlled by mantle convection and the resulting plate tectonics. Examples of evidence include maps of Earth’s three-dimensional structure obtained from seismic waves, records of the rate of change of Earth’s magnetic field (as constraints on convection in the outer core), and identification of the composition of Earth’s layers from high-pressure laboratory experiments.] HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on mechanical and chemical investigations with water and a variety of solid materials to provide the evidence for connections between the hydrologic cycle and system interactions commonly known as the rock cycle. Examples of mechanical investigations include stream transportation and deposition using a stream table, erosion using variations in soil moisture content, or frost wedging by the expansion of water as it freezes. Examples of chemical investigations include chemical weathering and recrystallization (by testing the solubility of different materials) or melt generation (by examining how water lowers the melting temperature of most solids).] HS-ESS2-6. Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on modeling biogeochemical cycles that include the cycling of carbon through the ocean, atmosphere, soil, and biosphere (including humans), providing the foundation for living organisms.] HS-ESS2-7. Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the dynamic causes, effects, and feedbacks between the biosphere and Earth’s other systems, whereby geoscience factors control the evolution of life, which in turn continuously alters Earth’s surface. Examples include how photosynthetic life altered the atmosphere through the production of oxygen, which in turn increased weathering rates and allowed for the evolution of animal life; how microbial life on land increased the formation of soil, which in turn allowed for the evolution of land plants; or how the evolution of corals created reefs that altered patterns of erosion and deposition along coastlines and provided habitats for the evolution of new life forms.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of how the biosphere interacts with all of Earth’s other systems.]
I have been teaching Earth Science for 23 years. In addition, I have been helping homeschool families with science curriculum needs and providing study skills resources for over 10 years. I am certified in science (with a focus on Earth Science), ag education, and gifted education.
2 files available upon enrollmentI try to list labs that use common household items, but here is the recommended list. If you do not have the supplies, please do not worry. The student can watch a video of the lab instead. spiral notebook notecards ziploc bags pencil, pens ruler coloring pencils stapler tape, clear and masking tape glue playdoh or clay in 4-5 colors plastic knife Styrofoam balls to paint (12) permanent markers assorted paint and paint brushes random rocks from outside baking soda vinegar 2 water bottles foil starburst candy construction paper shoebox scissors chalk (in several colors) wooden dowel rod or stick straws string or yarn Additional common household items may be needed, but you will be given 1-2 weeks notice if so. If you do not have We will be using Google Docs for notes, Google Slides for creating projects, and Google Forms for student surveys to assess material comprehension so please make sure the student has access to Gmail. In addition they need a free acct setup on Quizlet.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Please carefully read the class description, review the supply list, and reach out if you have questions. Outschool disclaimer: Please look over the supply list and do not use any items the child maybe allergic to. -------- Class Information For Parents: I am only a small piece of your homeschool puzzle. My goal is to provide your family quality curriculum, fun labs, crafts and assessment tools. I have over 23 years of experience in the classroom and homeschooling my own children. Over the years I have taught in the private, public and college setting providing quality labs and curriculum. I currently write science curriculum for 3 states to be used in public school classrooms. Over the years I have improved my craft by taking countless professional development on assessment methods, how to integrate technology into the classroom, and hands-on activities that promote learning. I am now taking my experience to provide quality curriculum for homeschool families. That being said, I do not provide hands-off learning. All of my classes encourage parents to be involved. Like most flex teachers on the platform I ask that you check to make sure your child is uploading work and look at their science spiral periodically. We are working together as a team to make sure your child has quality curriculum and the class is a success for the student. The first week of my class I provide practice assignments that I ask my families to work on together. The practice assignments (normally 3) involve practicing uploading an image, short video and pdf file (for grades 7-12). Those are the 3 ways we upload work so I want to make sure early that the student knows how. Outschool also provides an inbox so students can ask the teacher for help, but many students are unaware of how to find it so I help the parent setup the student inbox the first week. All of my science students keep a science spiral. This spiral is where the student will hold their notes, diagrams/drawings, key facts, and more. I provide a science spiral template the first week for the family to print out and glue in the spiral. This provides the students an easy template to add to as they go along. The science spiral will consist of a checklist for students to check off when they complete a task to encourage student responsibility and organization, spiral table of contents, and where to write down test scores. Third Party Tools: In my classes I use the following at times to help with comprehension: YouTube summary videos, Loom (I create how to videos), Quizizz, Quizlet, Nearpod, Flipgrid, Google Docs, and Google Slides. Outschool would like us to list all third party tools we may use in the class description. Assessments: Because my classes are flex, the option for live testing is not included. Instead I have a paid premium teacher membership to Quizizz and Quizlet. When it is time for an assessment I provide the student a website link and special code to take the test. Quizizz and Quizlet both grade test immediately for the family and allow the student the option to retest for a higher grade. Then students are asked to write down the grade, test name and date in their spiral on the "test score" page. All flex parents are asked to look at the spiral and test score page periodically to keep informed and to see how well the student is progressing in the class. If you are participating in a co-op that requires live testing, please let me know. I have a special Outschool one day option add-on that you can use for live testing. You can simply request the time/day for live testing that works for you. I have found that some flex parents use my Quizizz/Quizlet tests, but some families opt out of testing so it is whatever works best for your family. But I do provide the assessments if you would like to use them. Once the student is on the testing site via my special code they may also use the site for test over other subjects also. How To Grade: I recommend that parents add up all of the test scores at the end of the session, and divide by the number of test to get the final average for the class. At the end of the class I provide a general letter of completion that can be used for your records or charter/private/co-op use. If you need me to put a specific average on the letter, I am more than happy to just let me know the average your child has or seen me a list of their test scores to average. On Outschool, I do make sure that I: -provide weekly curriculum (4-5 mini tasks each week) -upload the assignments each Sunday night for the upcoming week -provide weekly tasks/assignments to go along with state science standards by grade level -provide short positive general feedback on daily participation work on the class wall 2 times a week -respond to parent and student messages within 8 hours -provide easy to follow labs to try at home -provide access to Quizlet and Quizizz for testing and to look over as a possible assessment site for other subjects -provide access to my class Epic Books page if the family is interested for online reading books -provide access to my class Padlet page for students to post funny responses/likes/share ideas in regards to class projects -provide full year credit for courses (all of my semester 1 classes have a matching semester 2) -supervise the class wall 2-3 times a week to make sure the student responses are kind to each other and supportive, promoting a safe learning environment -sent a welcome message the first week to all parents and students (please check your inbox) -provide practice family assignments the first week to show families how the class works, how to setup the spiral, and provide an area for families to learn how to upload work/find the inbox -sent out a mid session message to parents asking for feedback on the class -provide coupons for returning families to encourage more science education on Outschool -provide coupons to families that refer other friends and family members -teach key skills needed for academic success *I created a video I share with all of my classes teaching them how to crate notecards and how to organize their science spirals. *I encourage the use of complete sentences (for embedded language arts cross curriculum standards) in all student written responses. *I provide direction on how to create a slideshow for students in grades 7-12. *I provide every 3-4 weeks a classroom reminder to encourage the student to update their spiral, show the parent their class wall/spiral/grades. Parents we need you to: -check your Outschool inbox -check the class wall and the student spiral a minimum of once a week to confirm the student is uploading work and working at a pace that is suitabe for your family I hope the above information is helpful and I want to thank you for taking the time to read it. I strive to give 200% to my families on Outschool so please reach out if you have questions.
This is a teacher created class, but my goals for the course will come from Glencoe Science "Earth Science" textbook. But students do not need to purchase the textbook for the course. All chapters or readings will be provided by Mrs. Collins. The following was used to create the class: GA Virtual Earth Science Holt Earth Science Glencoe CK 12 Flexbooks Weathering/Erosion NASA Kids
Mrs. Collins, Certified Teacher
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(77)
Hello and welcome to my class profile/catalog. I offer mainly flex classes, and only a few live classes. My goal is to get to 900 subscribers so please subscribe today. I would love to meet you and your child. Please sign up for a meet and...
Flex Class
$169
for 17 weeks17 weeks
Completed by 3 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
