Discover! Physical Science is a self-directed middle school curriculum that is flexible for different learning styles and abilities. Required for the course are Student Worktexts A and B, the Instructor Guide, the Lab Manual, and the Assessment Book. Currently, these are only sold in a set—they are not available individually. The consumable and colorfully illustrated Student Worktexts are organized into eight topical units, with each unit containing 7-9 chapters. Each chapter begins with objectives, vocabulary words and definitions, and materials for the Worktext activities. Chapters introduce a real-world story and informational text. Following the readings, students answer related questions and complete application activities and chapter reviews called “show what you know.” Scattered throughout the chapters are extension activities, which may include focus readings or activities, mini labs, online research projects, and creative projects. Chapters will take about 2 days to complete. Each unit also includes one or two formal lab experiments, which are found in the Lab Manual. These are not scheduled; rather, the experiment(s) should be completed at your convenience prior to a chapter review and assessment. The Lab Manual contains the student instructions, material lists, safety notes, and space to document the lab experience. It also includes observation sheets for the mini labs to help students become proficient with lab documentation. Complete teaching notes for experiments are found in the back of the Instructor Guide. The Assessment Booklet includes the consumable assessments for each chapter. There are two types of assessments available: traditional tests with fill-in-the-blank, matching, or short-answer (or drawing) questions, and project-based performance assessments with project requirements and grading rubrics. The Discover! Physical Science Instructor Guide is used with the Student Worktexts and Lab Manual. Along with chapter objectives, each chapter provides parents with suggestions to support learning and teach to and challenge three learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic), extension/enrichment activities, co-op activities for families using the curriculum with a large group, and all the answers. It also includes the assessments and answers. Not reproducible.
Discover! Physical Science Set (2nd Edition)
Product Overview
- Flexible curriculum to meet the needs of different learning styles and abilities
- Covers scientific methods and theories, measurement, matter, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, force/distance/work, and more
- Kit includes the Instructor Guide, Student Worktext A, Student Worktext B, Lab Manual, and the Assessment Book
- Additional household or easily found items required for lab activities
Description
Discover! Physical Science, 2nd Edition, immerses students in how matter and energy interact in the world around us to build a strong foundation. Students begin by mastering the metric system, measurement, area, volume, mass, density, and graphing skills used by scientists and engineers. The course explores states of matter, atomic structure, and the Periodic Table, followed by investigations into chemical and physical changes, compounds, and mixtures. Learners study energy in many forms, including waves, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, with a look toward the future of energy technologies. Core physics concepts such as force, work, motion, and energy are reinforced through hands-on problem solving. Simple machines—levers, wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, and friction—show how basic principles power everyday tools and structures. A Career Spotlight introduces careers such as Physicist, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Electromagnetic Systems Designer, and Construction Engineer, helping students connect physical science concepts to real-world innovation and engineering solutions.
Discover! Physical Science set includes:
- Student Worktext A
- Learn about historical foundations and leaders in physical sciences, models and visualizing data, scientific measurement systems, and the structure of matter. The text concludes with chemical and physical changes. Each unit features a related career, such as a civil engineer, physicist, and nuclear engineer.
- Worktext B
- Continue with energy, electromagnetism, force, distance, and work. The text concludes with simple machines. Each unit features a related career such as working as a mechanical engineer, electromagnetic systems designer, physicist, and construction engineer.
- Instructor Guide
- Take the guesswork out of lesson planning, offering helpful teaching tips, pacing suggestions, and complete answer keys for all activities and assessments.
- Assessment Booklet
- Each unit includes a traditional assessment modeled after standardized tests and a performance assessment that challenges students to apply their understanding in creative, meaningful ways. Rubrics are included to support consistent and clear evaluation.
- Lab Book
- Each unit includes at least one lab for each lesson. Labs provide a clear connection between the unit and the lab. Students make predictions, search for answers, and synthesize data collection to make inferences and/or suggest further research.
Discover! Science at the middle school level offers families two different paths to choose from: General Science I and General Science II, or the one-year immersive courses in Earth & Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Whether choosing General Science or the Disciplinary immersive pathway, students will practice scientific inquiry, data analysis, and engineering design; explore real-world applications and careers; develop problem-solving skills; and develop strong scientific literacy.
| Product Format: | Other |
|---|---|
| Grades: | 6-8 |
| Brand: | Discover! |