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Physics for Middle School?


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In the fall, I'll be leading a group of 3rd - 5th grade kids through Physics RSO 1. I'm considering using that RSO 1 with the older kids (mostly 7th graders) and using an additional resource to "beef" it up for them.
 
Recommendations of a curriculum or resource to use? Kids expect homework (reading, defining, etc.) (2 sessions of 1.25 hours each week). It would be easier for planning to beef up or simplify rather than using 2 different curricula.

 

Secular preferred.

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For physics hands-on in the class-- or possibly as more investigations at home -- possibly TOPS units (each unit would have enough activities for doing 3-4 investigations per class, so each unit would last you 4-8 weeks, depending on how many activities you do in a unit, and how many activities are in each unit -- usually 20-36). Downside is that these are books only; supply kits are extra (or, you have to spend time/$ pulling together supplies). You can get the books and supply kits a bit cheaper from Rainbow Resource.

 

Here are physics units that would fit well with grade 7:

#32 - Electricity = $18, 20 activities

#33 - Magnetism = $18, 20 activities

#34 - Pendulums  = $18, 20 activities

#42 - Lenses and Pinholes  = $18, 20 activities

#21 - Motion  = $18, 36 activities

 

I've also heard good things about the GEMS teacher guides and kits. Downside is the teacher guides are just books, no supplies; kits are extra.

 

Here are the Physics topics that fit for 7th grade:

- Color Analyzers: Investigating Light and Color  = $23, 5 sessions

- Convection: A Current Event = $15, 3 sessions

- Dry Ice Investigations = $23, 4 activities

- Discovering Density = $18, 5 sessions

- Electric Circuits = $28, 11 sessions

- Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight = $20, 5 sessions

- Matter: Solids, Liquids & Gases = $18, 5 activities

- More Than Magnifiers = $12, 4 activities

 

 

For a book they could use as homework, here is secular middle school text: Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Physical Science. Four units, with unit 1 focusing on Chemistry and units 2-4 focusing on physics topics:

 

UNIT 1: CHEMICAL BUILDING BLOCKS

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Physical Science

• Chapter 2: Introduction to Matter

• Chapter 3: Solids, Liquids, and Gases

• Chapter 4: Elements and the Periodic Table

• Chapter 5: Atoms and Bonding

• Chapter 6: Chemical Reactions

• Chapter 7: Acids, Bases, and Solutions

• Chapter 8: Carbon Chemistry

 

UNIT 2: MOTION, FORCES, AND ENERGY

• Chapter 9: Motion

• Chapter 10: Forces

• Chapter 11: Forces in Fluids

• Chapter 12: Work and Machines

• Chapter 13: Energy

• Chapter 14: Thermal Energy and Heat

 

UNIT 3: SOUND AND LIGHT

• Chapter 15: Characteristics of Waves

• Chapter 16: Sound

• Chapter 17: The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Chapter 18: Light

 

UNIT 4: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

• Chapter 19: Magnetism

• Chapter 20: Electricity

• Chapter 21: Using Electricity and Magnetism

• Chapter 22: Electronics

 

Edited by Lori D.
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