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Middle School Physical Science-Semester 2
In this second semester-long course, middle school students (appropriate for grades 6th-8th) will study Physical Science including forces, motion, energy, electricity, and magnetism. Semester 1 or 2 can be taken in any order.
Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
This Semester 2 class is a 15-week class that covers one semester. Students will meet once a week and will also be expected to complete homework at home. This class will focus on five aspects of Physical Science including motion, energy, forces, electricity, and magnetism. This class follows the Semester 1 class for a full year of Physical Science but it is not a pre-requisite. Simple equations as well as multiplication and division are used during some lessons. Students are allowed to use...
15 lessons//15 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Equations of Physical ScienceThis week we work with average speed, instantaneous speed, and graphing motion in class. -Homework this week will be a Showing Motion experiment.Week 2Lesson 2AccelerationThis week we talk about acceleration as well as working through it via equation and graphing. -Homework this week is an experiment in reaction times.Week 3Lesson 3GravityStudents will learn about gravity, weight, mass, air resistance and projectile motion. -Homework this week will be a worksheet on motion.Week 4Lesson 4Pascal's PrincipleThis week we delve into fluids and discuss Pascal's principle. -Homework this week will be an experiment about the rotation of sprinklers.Week 5Lesson 5Bernoulli's PrincipleStudents will define Bernoulli's principle and talk about flight. -Homework this week will be several small demos showcasing Bernoulli's principle.Week 6Lesson 6MachinesThis week, we talk about HOW machines do work, the forces involved and mathematically equate mechanical advantage and efficiency. -Homework this week will include an experiment around the relationship between distance and weight of a seesaw.Week 7Lesson 7Types of MachinesWe will briefly review the types of simple machines and go more in depth about how they make work easier. -Homework this week includes an at-home experiment on the steepness of ramps and how it affects their usefulness.Week 8Lesson 8Energy and Fossil FuelsThis week we briefly review energy and then see how we obtain it from fossil fuels. -Homework this week includes a worksheet on energy and the transformation from fossil fuels.Week 9Lesson 9Thermal Energy and State of MatterThis week we talk about the changes in states of matter and how we use heat. -Homework this week will see an experiment to find out what happens to heated metal.Week 10Lesson 10Magnetic EarthThis week we link with Earth Science to discuss Earth as a magnet; its core, its poles, and magnetic field. -Homework this week students will make a needle compass.Week 11Lesson 11Electric CircuitsThis week we learn about all the ways to make electric circuits. -Homework this week will be making circuits of their own. (Please see supply list and Resources).Week 12Lesson 12Electric Power and SafetyThis week we mathematically calculate power and how we can increase it as well as talking about electrical safety. -Homework this week will be a diagram of student's homes showing the circuits, boxes, fuses and outlets.Week 13Lesson 13Electricity from magnetismWe have talked about magnets and electricity but this week we look at how we get electricity from magnets themselves. -Homework this week will be a worksheet.Week 14Lesson 14Technology and ComputersThis week we delve into computers, the binary system, hardware and software. -Homework this week will need a lab partner as students create their own 'computer programming' to write instructions for a lab partner.Week 15Lesson 15Semester ReviewUsing games and class discussion, students will review the last 14 weeks of class. Teacher feedback is sent to parents at the conclusion of the class.
This class is taught in English.
- Students will be able to explore through lecture, experiments, demonstrations, homework, and discussion these five fields of physical science....force, motion, energy, electricity, and magnetism.
I was a middle school science teacher for 10 years. I have also homeschooled my daughter (who has now graduated) for 10 years. As a public school teacher, I taught Earth Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, Zoology, Biology, and more to hundreds of students. Science is a passion of mine and I find performing experiments both fascinating and illuminating when learning new scientific facts! In this class, students will have ample opportunity to perform their own experiments to reiterate the information they learn in class. I have my Bachelor's degree in Biology/Pre-Med and a Master's in Healthcare Administration.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: 7 or more throughout the classFeedback: includedDetails: Homework is assigned each week at the end of class. Homework will be posted in the classroom. Please allow 1-2 hours for homework each week. Most homework will be an at-home experiment but might also include worksheets or reports.Letter Grade
Frequency: includedDetails: A letter grade will be given for each homework assignment if students upload them in a Teacher Message. The parent will receive a teacher feedback report on the student's progress at the end of the course.
Activities are not mandatory and can be adapted to fit the needs of each individual learner. Notes and homework can be digitally manipulated if student prefers, graded or not, no reading out loud in class.
Some math, graphing, and simple equations are used in class. Intermediate understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division will be helpful.
Stopwatch Meter stick Tape measure Spring scale Aluminum soda can Fishing line Wide-mouth jar or beaker Nails Plastic spoon Paper cup Hair dryer Tissue paper 2-L plastic soda bottle Masking tape Coins Dowel rod Eye hook Piece of foam Sewing needle Bar magnet Bulb socket (see Resources) Light bulb (see Resources) Insulated wire (see Resources) Electric switch (see Resources) Spring scale (see Resources) D-cell battery Legos
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
All experiments utilize household materials. Some experiments may be messy. Please read homework beforehand to determine if experiments need to be performed outside to save the house from a mess :-) Scissors will also be used in a few experiments. Please make sure your learner can independently handle them safely.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Western Governors University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Missouri Southern State University
Hello students and parents! I am a former Science teacher who now runs a hospital-based Sleep Lab. With a Bachelors degree in Biology, I taught middle-school science classes for 10 years before transitioning into the healthcare field. I have been...
Reviews
Group Class
$18
weekly or $270 for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 43 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-10 learners per class