Course Organizer Routine

Course Organizer Routine

Name of Course: 9th Grade Physical Science

Name of Instructors: Linda Garinger, Matt Hillmer, Ben Neuenswander

Course Length in Weeks:18

Course Length in Class Periods: 90

Duration of Class Periods in Minutes: 90

Big Ideas :

The Physical Science Course shall familiarize students on the process of scientific inquiry. The course shall empower students to pose interesting scientific question. The course shall teach students to research existing literature when investigating scientific concepts. Students shall have the opportunity to test hypothesis through experimental design and have the opportunity to drawn conclusions based on the data collected. Students shall present data collected in a visual format through graphs and have the opportunity to become familiar with SI standards of measurements.

Motion and Speed Big Ideas.

Students shall be able to explain and demonstrate how the concepts of acceleration, time, and velocity are interrelated and how they are expressed mathematical. Students shall understand how velocity and force are interrelated. The course strives to teach mastery of the Newton's three laws and how to apply them to real world situations.

Energy Big Ideas.

Students shall understand the types of energy, how energy is stored in various forms, and be able to provide examples that illustrate the various forms of energy. Students shall understand that the amount of energy in the universe is constant and energy is conserved when converted from one form to another.

Electricity Big Ideas.

Students shall have the ability to describe the relationship between current, resistance, and voltage difference. Students will be able to analyze a simple electrical circuit. Students shall understand how magnetism and electricity are interrelated. Students shall also understand that magnets exert a force on an object.

Waves Big Ideas.

Students shall have the ability to describe waves in terms of its frequency, wavelength, and speed. They shall also understand that waves carry energy.

Chemistry Big Ideas.

The important understandings for the chemistry related section of this course are: atomic structure relating to protons, neutrons, and electrons; electron cloud model of the atom and how the valence electrons determine the chemistry of the atom; chemical bonds result from sharing or transference of electrons; and elements are arranged on the periodic table according to increasing atomic number.
Other topics include an introduction to organic compounds, chemical reactions/equations, solutions (solubility, concentration), and acids/bases. These secondary topics will provide a basic exposure to knowledge that will be essential in future courses in biology and chemistry.

Earth and Space Science Big Ideas

Students will develop an understanding of the formation and workings of the universe, the solar system and the earth. They will explore geology and meteorology as an integrated study of Earth System Science.

A secondary theme will focus on the questions:

Where do the earth and human beings fit into the grand scheme of the Universe? How do we interact with and change earth processes?

Organizing Scheme

1. Nature of Science

Standards of Measurement

Methods of Science

Communicating with graphs

1. Motion

Motion and speed

Speed, Rate, Velocity, Vectors

Acceleration

1. Force

Motion and Forces

Newton’s 2nd Law

Gravity

Newton’s 3rd law of motion

Energy, its nature and types

Conservation of Energy

1. Nature of Matter

. States of Matter (kinetic theory)

Composition of Matter (elements, compounds, mixtures)

Properties of Matter (physical vs. chemical)

1. Atoms and Elements

Model of the atom (quantum theory, electron cloud model)

Atomic orbitals and the importance of the valence shell.

Chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, electonegativity)

Periodic Table (atomic number, important groups, trends)

1. Chemical Interactions

Reactions/equations

Solutions (solubility, polarity, concentration)

Acids/Bases (properties, pH, salts)

1. Organic Compounds

Hydrocarbons

Biological molecules

1. Astronomy

A Star is Born

Life of a Star

Black Holes

Origin of the Universe

Milky Way Galaxy

Formation of the Solar System

Our Star the Sun

Planetary orbits

Planet descriptions

Comets and Asteroids

1. Geology

Earth Structure

Minerals, Rock Cycles and Rock Formation

Plate Tectonics (Internal Engine)

Earthquakes

Geologic Time

1. Meteorology

Weather and Forecasting

Water Cycle

Atmospheric Composition

Climate and Seasons (Earth/Sun motion)

Severe Storms

1. Human Impacts

Course Organizer