What's the Matter?! Middle School Physical Science "Crash Course" (Part 1)
In this six-week course, students will review "Matter" topics that are traditionally covered in Physical Science classes in middle school and early high school. This class will include review, guided practice, and hands-on learning.
Alexis Wren, MAT
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(115)
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursClass Experience
In Part 1 of a four-part Middle School Physical Science "Crash Course," we will be reviewing Matter and its Interactions. In this 6-week course that meets twice per week, students will explore matter through review, guided practice, and hands-on learning including projects and experiments. The topics covered are those from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Middle School Physical Science. Topics covered during the 6-weeks will include: -Atoms & Molecules - atomic structure, molecular modeling, types of bonds -Properties of Substances - physical and chemical changes, density, melting and boiling, solubility -Thermal Energy - kinetic energy of particles, state changes, particle motion, temperature -Chemical reactions - conservation of mass, types of chemical reactions, balancing chemical reactions Each week, students will have a recommended at-home experiment or project to complete, which they will have the option to share with their classmates. Students will also be provided with optional additional materials to further their learning or understanding (additional practice, extra videos, etc.) The general breakdown of the 6 weeks will be as follows: Weeks 1 & 2: -What is matter? Elements, compounds, and mixtures. -What are chemical and physical properties and changes? How can they be used to distinguish matter? -What happens when substances undergo physical and chemical changes? -What is energy? Weeks 3 & 4: -What is thermal energy? How is it related to temperature? -What is kinetic energy? How is it related to the state of matter? Weeks 5 & 6: -How is matter conserved? -What are chemical reactions?
Learning Goals
Students will understand:
- All objects and substances in the natural world are composed of matter.
- Mixtures, compounds, and elements can be distinguished by their physical and chemical properties.
- Substances can undergo physical or chemical changes to form new substances. Each change involves energy.
Other Details
Supply List
Students might require apps or websites to work on their projects or experiments, but no one resource will be required.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined April, 2020
5.0
115reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Augusta University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Augusta University
Hello! My name is Alexis and I have been an educator since 2011. My primary interests lie in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) areas, but outside of academics, I am a huge nature lover and runner. Most of my teaching experience is with middle and high school learners in the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, and Biology, but I like working with learners of all levels and have interests outside of these courses that I'd love to share on Outschool.
My Professional Experience: I obtained my BS in Chemistry and MAT in Chemistry Education at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia. During my time in university, I tutored high school and college students in various Chemistry courses. After graduation, I moved to Costa Rica, where I taught high school science and technology classes for three years at an international school, in addition to serving as the Technology Integration Coach and STEM Coordinator. Since 2020, I have worked virtually with over 350 students from ages 6 to 22 in small group and one-on-one classes.
Since I began teaching, I have worked with a number of students from a wide mix of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. When teaching heavy content, I try to approach concepts from multiple angles to ensure every student eventually reaches an understanding. I am patient with my students because I know that all students are capable of high achievement with the right style of teaching and that the right style of teaching can be different for every learner. I also like having fun, so I try to spice up my content with interesting stories, funny metaphors, and opportunities for students to ponder and explore on their own.
Outside of teaching and learning, I also love to travel, run, and explore the outdoors. I am a huge coffee drinker and love to eat delicious food. My favorite foods are carrot cake and coleslaw, but I am highly picky when it comes to these two dishes, so I don't eat them often. I also enjoy sharing Costa Rica with visitors from all over the world - especially Costa Rica's beautiful forests and animals.Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 12 classes2x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 17 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
6-10 learners per class
