Middle School Science

We’re all pretty excited about Apologia General Science.

They did the first experiment together and it was colorful and fun.

The water, oil, and corn syrup layered themselves and the rock sank and the grape floated. cool.

We’re following a great schedule and notebooking plan.

It’s been an eye opener for her. We explained the plan and showed her the plan and got her notebook organized and the schedule printed out.

Then she thought she could skim through like she always has.

Not so much. She got a 64 on her first test.

I warned her that 7th grade was going to be different, harder.

Now she knows.

Her uncle is visiting with his family this week and he teaches 7th grade science. This has been great for all of us. He told us that “she’s just like a 7th grader” (the good and the bad). And he’s been able to talk to her about her studies. It’s given her a new perspective. You know, moms and dads know nothing, but uncles can be cool.

So, she knows that she has to actually work at something.

A new concept. A first step toward maturity.

General and Physical science are reviews of elementary material, preparing for high school lab sciences.

We read many living books about scientific topics, watch documentaries, go on nature hikes, visit museums, and more.

Good Middle School Science Skills

Physical science

Brush up on the laws of motion, force, speed, and the transfer of energy. Students should understand the effect of friction on objects, as well as the difference between friction and inertia. Kids have the opportunity to learn about the properties of a range of materials, studying size, weight, and shape. They should conduct experiments, use tools to gather and organize data, and learn how to make graphs to present their findings.

Life science

The life sciences include everything from the human body to ecology. With so many topics, at any given time students in middle school might be immersed in studying a particular insect, or observing a terrarium or aquarium to learn about ecosystems. Junior life scientists also learn about plants, including the basic processes, like photosynthesis, that allow them to thrive.

Earth and space science

Middle school earth science lessons review how the earth was formed. Kids should review how the earth orbits around the sun as well as the moon orbits around the earth. Make connections between orbits and time. Understand that a year is the length of time it takes the earth to orbit the sun and a day is based on how long it takes for the earth to make one rotation on its axis.

Teachers may include a geology lesson that focuses on a single point of interest like the Grand Canyon. By studying the Grand Canyon, for example, students can follow in the footsteps of professional scientists, learning to read geologic lessons in the rock, and discern the effect erosion has on the earth’s natural features.

Science and technology

Many schools emphasize the relationship between science and technology. These technology-focused activities might include a study of bridge design or a discussion about robots’ value to society. Lessons should give special attention to the way science and technology can be used to solve human problems and meet human needs.

Scientific inquiry

While studying science, your child will also be learning about the process of scientific inquiry — how to ask incisive questions, design experiments, gather evidence, formulate answers, and communicate the results. It’s not uncommon for students’ ideas and misconceptions to be challenged or changed.

By contrasting and comparing, students hone their critical thinking skills, analyzing errors and making summaries of what they’ve learned. Many other soft skills should grow and develop while studying science. For example, students might begin to learn the importance of recording their observations or recognize the limitations their own memories.

Using math skills in science

Rock solid math skills are crucial to success in science. Whether students are being asked to create a new calendar for an imaginary world or calculating sea rise from an arctic ice melt-off, they’ll use a wide variety of math skills involving basic arithmetic, geometry, and pre-algebra.

Creating graphs and tables, measuring to scale, calculating ratios, determining weight, distance, and volume – all these are math skills needed for science. Source: Great Schools