Middle School Curriculum Guide

The fifth-grade Science program places an emphasis on solving problems in a scientific manner that employs observation and inference. Hands-on experiments and activity-based lessons help to foster the development of critical thinking. Resources include textbooks such as Scott Foresman's Earth Science and Pearson's Interactive Science, as well as materials that are drawn from a variety of sources.

Fifth graders examine various aspects of earth and space science, such as geologic time, plate tectonics, meteorology, oceanography, and astronautics. Students develop their understanding of renewable and non-renewable energy sources that are used to meet the demands of our growing population's appetite for energy and resources. Fifth graders consider significant environmental and ethical issues through a process designed to enhance their understanding of each individual's role in creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable earth. A simulation that challenges students to plan and purchase healthy meals within a budget follows a study of the basics of good nutrition.

During the year students will develop their skills in the following areas:

• using supplies and materials safely and appropriately
• formulating hypotheses
• making and recording observations
• organizing and interpreting data
• supporting conclusions with evidence
• contributing to group projects
• preparing a long-term assignment
• communicating scientific information
• participating in a student-led discussion

Sixth-grade Science employs an approach to learning that is multimodal and inquiry based. Students build on their understanding of the scientific process and methodology through laboratory investigations and projects. An emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills through problem solving and the collection and analysis of data. 

Using the IALS (Issues & Life Science) curriculum as an important guide, students investigate real-life events in which they confront choices related to the environment and explore ethical issues surrounding clinical trials on living things. Unit topics include “Micro-Life and Water,” “Body Works,” and “Studying People Scientifically.” Where appropriate and beneficial, students practice using a variety of lab equipment and electronic devices to collect, analyze, and communicate scientific information and data. 

During the year, students develop their skills in the following areas:

• making and recording observations
• using the metric system of measurement
• organizing and interpreting data
• supporting conclusions with appropriate evidence
• designing simple experiments
• making appropriate use of equipment and supplies
• constructing models
• researching topics using credible sources of information
• contributing to group projects
• communicating scientific information orally and in writing

Occasionally, topics of timely and unusual interest may be included with the planned curriculum in order to take advantage of the freewheeling curiosity of students at this age.

In seventh-grade Science, students continue to strengthen and practice their scientific process skills, which include the following:

• making and recording observations
• formulating hypotheses
• designing experiments and identifying experimental variables
• making metric measurements
• organizing and constructing data tables
• constructing graphs
• recognizing patterns and interpreting data from graphs
• drawing conclusions and supporting them with appropriate data
• making inferences and applying concepts
• carrying out lab practices properly and safely

These skills will be carried out and practiced throughout the units of “Ecology and the Environment,” as well as “Cells and Genetics.” Through hands on experiences, students begin to understand the complexities of how ecological and biological systems work. With this systems approach to learning, students analyze parts of systems, interactions between elements of a system, and begin to gain a deeper understanding of how the living and non-living worlds are interconnected. 

Seventh graders participate in a three-month-long Monarch Watch citizen science study. Students record daily measurements of the insects' growth stages from larvae to pupae to adults. At the end of the study, the surviving adult butterflies are tagged with unique codes developed by Monarch Watch and released.

The Harriet Roffman Sunrise Garden, a name given to our middle-school garden, is used as an outdoor lab/classroom. An easily accessible outdoor lab not only allows students to make direct connections to the content taught throughout the year, but it also builds a sense of community.

Introductory Physical Science

By the end of the year, all eighth-grade students should have good proficiency with the following science skills:

• making and recording observations
• recording and organizing data on paper and on the computer
• formulating hypotheses
• recognizing patterns and interpreting data, both qualitatively and quantitatively
• drawing conclusions and supporting them with appropriate data
• making inferences and applying concepts
• designing experiments and identifying experimental variables
• the proper and safe use of physical science laboratory equipment

Earned Honors Introductory Physical Science

Science Research & Development (Two-trimester course, T1 and T2)

Take STEAM to the next level in this independent, competitive elective. Don’t just learn science, DO science! In this course, students conduct original research through an independent study and discovery process. Students may follow a research-track conducting basic research, or a development-track where they will develop a tool that solves an engineering problem and learn about patenting and marketing their technology. Students may then compete for a slot to represent RCDS and showcase their work at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair or the regional Invention Convention and others. This elective requires permission from the Science Department Chair and Science Research Teacher.