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Middle School Science: Full Curriculum (FL Certified)

6th - 8th grade learners will experience all fields of science (Nature of Science, Physical, Earth, Space, and Life) through engaging hands-on activities and labs in this year-long course covering the NGSS Standards!
Mrs. Dawn Huffman, Certified Teacher M.S.Ed
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(450)
Class
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What's included

72 live meetings
66 in-class hours
Mastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. Feedback and grades will be provided upon request or if students submit work weekly.
Grading
Certificate of Completion with Final Grade Upon Request

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
Get ready for an exciting adventure in science! This course meets twice a week, covering 6th-8th grade Middle School Science Standards with a dynamic mix of presentations, videos, simulations, interactive activities, hands-on projects, and, best of all, experiments!

We'll dive into real-world problems, encouraging students to explore through inquiry, analyze data and observations, and draw meaningful conclusions. Our classroom environment promotes interaction between students and the teacher, creating a phenomenal and engaging learning experience.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the Nature of Science, Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth Science. Through labs and demonstrations, we'll bring science concepts to life, ensuring your student's curriculum needs are met.

Expect a rich blend of presentations, guided notes, videos, reading, writing, graphic organizers, foldables, experiments, and demonstrations. As a firm believer in creating captivating learning experiences, I'm thrilled to embark on this journey of scientific discovery with your learner!

The following topics will be covered during this course:

Year 1 (Fall 23 - June 24) & Year 2 Content (Fall 24 - June 25)


(August 24-June 25)

Unit 1:  Nature of Science
Lab Safety, Investigations vs Experiments
Scientific Method & Observation Lab
Identification of Variables & Popper Lab
Bounce Lab
Origami Frog Lab


Unit 2:  Physical Science
Atoms & Matter
Periodic Table of Elements
Periodic Table Coloring
Pure Substances & Mixtures
Protein Bites Lab & Demo of Separating Mixtures
Magic Ink Lab & Physical and Chemical Properties
Mass, Volume & Weight and Volume Displacement Lab
Density & Density Lab
Physical & Chemical Changes & Law of Conservation of Mass
Physical and Chemical Changes Lab
Scientific Method Lab
Acids and Bases
Acids and Bases Lab

Unit 3:  Space Science
Structure and Size of the Universe
Types of Galaxies - Galaxy Cookie Lab
Historical Models of the Solar System
Gravity and Solar System & Gravity Jump Lab
The Terrestrial Planets
The Gas Giant Planets
Small Objects in Solar System
Scientific Method Lab
Stars & Properties of Stars
Our Sun  
HR Diagram
Life Cycle of Stars 
Stars Glow Stick Lab
Scientific Method Lab
Earth's Days and Years 
Earth's Seasons
Phases of the Moon
Oreo Cookie Moon Phases Lab
Tides & Eclipses
Space Exploration

Unit 4:  Life Science
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells & Homeostasis
Infectious Diseases
Scientific Method Lab
Types of Cellular Reproduction
DNA & Making DNA Model
Strawberry DNA Lab
Heredity - Punnett Squares
Monster Genetics
Biotechnology
Sea Turtles & Adaptations
Birds of Prey & Owl Pellet Dissection
Scientific Method Lab
Scientific Method Lab
Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration
Cellular Respiration Lab
Energy & Matter in Ecosystems


Unit 5:  Review Middle School Sciences
Layers of the Earth (Compositional & Mechanical Layers)
Geologic Dating of the Earth
Weathering, Erosion & Deposition and Weathering Lab
Rocks & Rock Cycle 
Rock Cycle Lab
Tectonic Plates 
Tectonic Plates Lab
Scientific Method Lab (Identification of Variables)
(June Optional) Labs and More labs all summer! (4 weeks)





(Offered Fall 25 - May 26)
Unit 1:  Nature of Science
Lab Safety Observations vs Inferences (Milk Tie Dye Lab)
What is Science (Science vs Pseudoscience)
Scientific Method & Twirly-Bird Lab
Repetition vs Replication & Drops on a Penny Lab
Identification of Variables & Penny Boat Lab
Graphing Data & Using Create a Graph Making Digital Graphs
Scientific Theory vs Scientific Law 
Ping Pong Lab and Graphing of Data


Life Science Unit
Introduction to Cells/Cell Theory
Plant & Animal Cells
Cellular Division - Asexual vs Sexual Cellular Reproduction
Mitosis & Meiosis 
Organization of Life & Human Body Systems
DNA and RNA & Build DNA Model
Pedigree Charts & Gobstopper Lab 
Heredity, Genotypes & Phenotypes and Traits Lab
Punnett Squares
Genetic Mutations & Build DNA Mutation Model 
Photosynthesis 
Cellular Respiration & Cellular Respiration Lab


Ecology Unit
Classification of Living Things 
Biomes/Ecosystems & Build a Biorama
Food Chains, Food Webs & Energy Pyramids
Carbon Cycle 
Interactions Between Organisms (Symbiotic Relationships) 
Adaptations 
Limiting Factors & Carrying Capacity 
Invasive Species vs Native Species 
Theory of Evolution & Natural Selection 
Natural Selection Lab



Earth Science Unit
Physical & Chemical Weathering, Erosion & Deposition and Lab Simulating the processes
Landforms
Minerals, Rocks & Rock Cycle
Rock Cycle Lab
Dating of Rock (Relative Dating & Absolute Dating)
Layers of the Earth
Tectonic Plates & Boundaries and Plates Simulation Lab 
Plate Boundary Events & Interactive Tectonic Plates Lab 
Earthquakes, Mountain Building & Volcanoes 
Types of Volcanoes & Burning Ring of Fire 
Inside Volcanoes & Virtual Volcano Field Trip/Airplane Lab
Earth's Spheres & Interactions Between the Earth's Spheres
Weather vs Climate and Water Cycle 
Weather Patterns & Ocean Currents 
Natural Disasters & Natural Disaster Experiment
Resources (Renewable vs Nonrenewable) 
Human Impact 
Human Impact CSI
Bubble Gum Lab (You will need two types of gum and practice blowing those bubbles!)


Physical Science Unit
States of Matter & Thermal Energy and Lab
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Forms of Energy and Lab
Marble Run Lab 
Forces and Motion
Forces and Motions Graphing and Lab
Waves and Properties of Waves
Electromagnetic Waves & Behavior of Light (I will demo a lab due to the needed supplies for behavior of light.)
Atoms and Subatomic Particles
Modeling Atoms Lab
Making Ice Cream Lab


Summer Classes for students that want to continue through summer  - Dates to be determined
Egg Drop Lab
Making Oobleck - Suspensions, liquids and solids 
Mixtures:  Making no-bake cookies (protein bites)
Make a Lava Lamp (Physical Properties/Density)
Elephant's Toothpaste (Exothermic reactions)
Fizzing Sherbet - Feel a fun sour chemical reaction in your mouth! (Chemical Reactions)
Making Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Mixtures & Chemical Reactions)
Scientific Method Lab
Scientific Method Lab & Review Games (Gimkit & Blooket)





Learners who are already taking any of the fields of science in other courses, including my three semester courses, can enroll for additional support and practice.  The labs and activities are different from my semester courses. Learners are charged weekly for the subscription and can enroll or un-enroll at any time. 

If learners struggle with a topic, I can provide additional practice or support if requested.
Learning Goals
Students will gain an understanding of the NGSS Science Standards.
learning goal

Other Details

Learning Needs
As a teacher, supporting unique learning needs involves understanding and addressing the diverse abilities, interests, and backgrounds of each student. Ex: Differentiated Instruction, brain breaks, and diverse instruction
Parental Guidance
Google Drive is used for sharing handouts. Nearpod is used for some presenting of lessons. Blooket and Kahoot will be used to play review games in class. Life Science Lesson - asexual and sexual cellular reproduction/meiosis
Supply List
Lab supplies will be posted the week before (since this is ongoing) and a detailed list can be provided for the current unit if requested.
Joined November, 2017
4.9
450reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
I am a certified teacher and I've been teaching middle school comprehensive science since 2014 and I taught 5th-grade science prior to moving to middle school.  I currently help design activities that support the 7th & 8th-grade curriculum for all of the science teachers and I support K-5 teachers as a Math & Science Instructional Coach.  I will be incorporating reading and writing in this science course as well.  I have a master's degree in reading and writing, and I am a firm believer in reading and writing in the content area.  

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Live Group Course
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$26

weekly or $936 for 72 classes
2x per week, 36 weeks
55 min

Completed by 58 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
5-13 learners per class

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