Middle School Science (Q4): Fun With Nearpod, Labs, & Projects (Earth Science)
In this fun, interactive class, we will go through Q4 of Middle School Comp Science. This quarter covers Earth Science (rocks, fossils, weather, natural disasters), featuring the Erupting
Volcanoes Lab!
Stephanie Newton, BSc
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(110)
Star Educator
What's included
8 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Homework assignments/projects are optional. See each week in the syllabus for more details.Assessment
During class, learners will be continually assessed for understanding using Nearpod activity slides. Learners have the option of doing projects/assignments after class. I will grade any work that is turned in.Grading
I will grade and give feedback for all work that is turned in. Contact me if you would like for me to calculate a cumulative grade. Because homework is optional, grades will be calculated based on work turned in.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
*THIS CLASS MEETS LIVE BUT IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A FLEX/PRE-RECORDED CLASS* (message me if you can't find the link) **This is a new class but is the exact same format/content as my former ONGOING middle school science class that I have since "retired". But you can still see the reviews from that class on my profile.** This is a fun, interactive, and rigorous 8-week course which meets twice each week! This class can be taken as a stand-alone course (the learners are not required to take all 4 quarters of this curriculum). This course is based on national science standards and includes many hands-on activities. Course Structure: *1 live meeting per week (1 hour, 15 min); part lecture/part interactive slides and labs *Optional homework or projects will be assigned in the Outschool Classroom and can be turned in within the classroom, or be sent to me in a private message. We will try to do/start these assignments during class as often as possible. COURSE SYLLABUS: Week 1: Rock Cycle (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic Rocks) Nearpod slides and activities Rock Cycle Lab Rock Cycle Diagram Weekly quiz Week 2: Fossils, Relative Dating of Earth's Materials Nearpod slides and activities Landscape Drawing and Labeling Activity Gather Fossils Weekly Quiz Week 3: Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Tsunamis Nearpod slides and activities Plate Tectonics Lab Earth Science Storytime: Well-known Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoes Weekly quiz Week 4: Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis Nearpod slides and activities Build and Erupt a Volcano (Elephant Toothpaste, anyone?) Weekly quiz Week 5: Water, Ice, Erosion Nearpod slides and activities Edible Erosion Lab (weathering, erosion, glaciers, icebergs, landslides, mudslides) Glacier Calving Video Weekly quiz Week 6: Weather, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Lightning Nearpod slides and activities Lightning Lab Earth Science Storytime: Well-known Tornadoes/Hurricanes/Lightning Strikes Bingo Weekly Quiz Week 7: Climate Zones Nearpod slides and activities Climate Zones Breakout/Escape Room Find and describe your climate zone Weekly Quiz Week 8: Earth's Energy and Resources Nearpod slides and activities Bingo Research your local power company (how do they get energy?) I also have Q1, Q2, and Q3 of this class available. These are the topics covered in each of my 7th grade curriculum quarter classes: Q1: Scientific Method, Living Things, Light and Matter, Plant/Animal Cells, Organization of Living Things, Photosynthesis, Cell Cycle. Q2: Mendel/Genetics, Punnet Squares, DNA, DNA Mutations, Hybrid Organisms, Classification, Intro to Plants, Photosynthesis. Q3: What is an Animal?, In/Vertebrates, Skeletal System, Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Nervous System, Digestive System. Q4: Rock Cycle, Fossils/Fossil Layer, Plate Tectonics, Meteorology, Clouds, Weather, and Natural Disasters.
Learning Goals
Students will learn various aspects of earth science. Please see the syllabus in the course description for a detailed list of all concepts taught. Learners will be able to explain the formation of rocks and fossil layers, understand and demonstrate the movement of plate tectonics, identify various types of clouds, utilize weather terminology, understand how weather tools are used, and discuss how natural disasters occur and what their consequences are.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Rock Cycle (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic Rocks)
Nearpod slides and activities
Rock Cycle Lab
Rock Cycle Diagram
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Fossils, Relative Dating of Earth's Materials
Nearpod slides and activities
Landscape Drawing and Labeling Activity
Gather Fossils
Weekly Quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Tsunamis
Nearpod slides and activities
Plate Tectonics Lab
Earth Science Storytime: Well-known Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoes
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis
Nearpod slides and activities
Build and Erupt a Volcano (Elephant Toothpaste, anyone?)
Weekly quiz 75 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Lecture/discussion/teaching slides are broken up with Nearpod Interactive Slides to keep learners engaged and having fun. Homework is optional. Flexible deadlines.
Parental Guidance
Please monitor your learners use of scissors or other tools used during labs/projects. The topic of natural disasters may be upsetting to some. We will mostly discuss them from a scientific perspective (the mechanics of how they occur), but occasionally the "# of casualties" may come up for certain events (examples: Mt Vesuvius, Haiti Earthquake, Hurricane Andrew, etc.).
CK12.org: accounts will not be required, reading is optional.
Youtube videos: links will be embedded in Nearpod or the Outschool classroom.
Nearpod: learners do not need to make an account. We will use Nearpod during each class for interactive features.
Google Doc: used to access supply list
Google Form: used for quizzes
Supply List
*Q4 SUPPLIES* Doing the hands-on portion of the labs is not required, however it will definitely make the class more fun for learners! Often you can make substitutions for some items (or only do a portion of the lab) if it is difficult to get some of these items. I usually strive to do labs that only require items commonly found around the home. Turning in your assignments: you can take a picture(s) of your labs/activities and either upload them to the classroom (under the appropriate week’s post), or send it to me privately through Outschool in a message. Week 1: Rock Cycle Lab: 3 crayons (all different colors, label peeled off), carrot peeler, 3 squares of aluminum foil (about 12 inches x 12 inches), a ceramic mug filled with water, access to a microwave (or hot water from the tap), assistance from an adult for the carrot peeler Rock Cycle Diagram: printer paper to print pdf Week 2: Paper, colored pencils/crayons Week 3: Plate Tectonics Activity: 2 square graham crackers, whipped cream/cool whip, a plate (other crackers and gel-like substances can be used, such as mayonnaise, but it won’t be tasty/edible at the end of the lab!) Week 4: *Volcano material (day 1): disposable tin tray (a sheet pan will do if you don’t have the tin tray), glue (any kind), plastic or glass bottle/jar, 6 cups of flour, 2 cups of salt, 2 cups of water, 2 TBSP of cooking oil, food coloring (optional; suggested colors - red, green, black, or orange), mixing bowl, measuring cup, measuring spoon (tablespoon), spatula or whisk for mixing *Lava (day 2): Option 1 (basic recipe): 2 cups of warm water, food coloring (preferably red), 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, vinegar (1-2 cups) Option 2 (elephant toothpaste recipe): ½ cup hydrogen peroxide (6% is best, but 3% will do), 1 tablespoon (one packet) dry yeast, 3 tablespoons of warm water, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, food coloring (preferably red) Week 5: Weathering/Erosion Model: Several marshmallows (any size), about 10 crushed oreos (or other cookie), choc/strawberry/corn/maple syrup (pick one), jelly beans or other small candy, optional: blue jello (one small container), small baking pan or pie tin or plate. Week 6: Lightning activity: small plate, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, plastic spoon and/or a styrofoam item (cup, bowl, or plate, etc.) Science Bingo: printer paper to print pdf Week 7: none Week 8: Science Bingo: printer paper to print pdf
Joined June, 2020
4.8
110reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Science from The Florida State University
I have a BS degree in Nutrition and Food Science (pre-med track) from Florida State University. After working as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I later became a certified middle school science teacher and taught middle school science in the Florida public school system for 5 years. I have been an online teacher since 2018. I'm also a "hybrid-homeschool" momma :)Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $200 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
75 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-8 learners per class
