Course Description

This course is designed for students to master a basic understanding of the types of matter and energy that exist in the universe. Students will be provided with a synopsis of and a scoring guide for each of the performance projects thery are to complete. The course is self-paced and students will be required to reach a level of mastery in each of the objectives before moving to the next area of study. Homework will be dependent on the student's level of mastery. Students will be able to individualize their learning and apply their learning to everyday events.

Rationale

This course provides a review and extension of concepts delineated by the Missouri science frameworks. It is part of a 4-semester course for 9th and 10th grade students with the objective to increase the student's level of achievement as measured by the MAP science tests.

Course Goals

  • {Course Goals}

COMPETENCIES AND STATE ALIGNMENT
Competency
Activities
Assessment
1. Demonstrate how the Periodic Table can be used to predict properties of elements and determine trends in these properties as they relate to the physical world.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Lab: Properties of the Periodic Table
  • Worksheets: How the Periodic Table is organized
  • Video: Reactivity of Alakai Metals
  • "Home Connection": What elements are found in your home?
  • MC (Multiple Choice) and CR (Constructed Response) Test
  • PE (Performance Event): Analyze the properties of elements from a lab
2. Describe the molecular, atomic and ionic makeup of a variety of substances using approprate formulas and explain how the arrangements and motion of molecules determine a variety of biological, chemical and physical phenomenon.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet site for Introduction
  • Worksheets: Comparing elements, compounds & mixtures
  • Lab: "A Cereal Experience"
  • Lab: "Flame Tests"
  • Lab: "Covalent vs Ionic Bonds"
  • Concept Map on Bonding
  • "Home Connection": What elements/compounds/mixtures are found in your home?
  • Video: "Types of Bonding"
  • MC Test
  • PE- Conclude the identity of an unknown element on the basis of lab data
3. Analyze and discuss the types and concentration of solute or solvent that affect the rate of solubility, acidity or viscosity of the solution.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet- Indroduction Worksheets on types of solutions and solubility
  • Lab: Determining Acidity
  • Lab: Using a Solubility to Solve a Murder Mystery
  • "Home Connection": What solutions are in your home?
  • MC Test
  • CR- Determine whether a mixture is a solution, colloid or suspension
  • PE- Determine the pH of an unknown solution
4. Describe the components of the modern model of an atom and how they are related.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet- Introduction
  • Video: "Inside the Atom"
  • Activity: "Counting Atoms"
  • Chart: "Subatomic Particles"
  • Science Teaser: Mystery Guests
  • Lab: Balloons and Electron Charges
  • Home Connection
  • CR Test
  • PE- Conclusions from balloon electron lab
5. Describe how energy is involved in chemical, physical and nuclear changes.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet- Introduction
  • Worksheet: Compare and contrast nuclear and chemical energy
  • Activity: Conservation of Matter
  • Lab: Domino chain reaction
  • "Home Connection": Identify the types of energy at home
  • MC Test
  • PE- Determine the age of a 'specimen' using a model of radioactive decay.
6. Predict and explain phase changes as determined by the amount of heat required to change the temperature or state of a substance.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet- Introduction
  • Worksheets: How are Heat and Temperature Different?
  • Video: "Molecules in Motion"
  • Interpret graphing of phase changes
  • Worksheet: "What is a calorie?"
  • Activity: "How much does a cup of hot water cost?"
  • Activity: "Calories: Knowing Your Nutrition"
  • Lab: Temperature changes vs Mass of water heated
  • Lab: Predicting the Temperature Change
  • Lab: Specific Heat of Metal
  • "Home Connection": Cost of energy for your home
  • MC & CR Test
  • PE- Identify an unknown substance based on specific heat data.
7. Distinguish the direction of thermal energy in natural processes such as air flow and ocean currents and investigate the relationship between heat and work.
  • Understanding Vocabulary
  • Internet- Introduction
  • Diagrams: Predicting the direction of heat flow through matter
  • Reading: "Thermal Pollution"
  • Lab: "What material will transfer the most heat?"
  • Lab: "Measuring the freezing and melting points"
  • Graphic: The Greenhouse Effect
  • Activity: "Convection"
  • Lab: "What color is your spaceship?"
  • Lab: "Using water to tap into solar energy"
  • "Home Connection": Does the cost of solar panels make sense at home?
  • MC & CR Test
  • PE- Evaluate the choices of building materials based on their ability to prevent heat flow based on lab data.

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