• Science

    Grade 6

    General Science – Grade 6

    The course of study for the grade six middle school students is a general science curriculum.  The course of study is in accordance with the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  The course is designed to focus on development of a “scientific mind” through student use of scientific strategies.  This process takes place within each unit of study via the students hypothesizing, researching, experimenting, observing and inferring. The major units of study for all grade six middle school students are:

    Unit 1: Scientific Method: Variables
    Unit 2: Physics: Levers and Pulleys
    Unit 3: Matter and Energy
    Unit 4: The Basis of Life
    Unit 5: The Interdependence of Life 
     

    Grade 7

    General Science – Grade 7

    The course of study for the grade seven middle school students is a general science curriculum continuing the spiral curriculum began in sixth grade.  The course of study is in accordance with the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  The course is designed to focus on development of a “scientific mind” through student use of scientific strategies.  This process will take place within each unit of study via the students hypothesizing, researching, experimenting, observing and inferring.  The major units of study for all grade seven middle school students are:

    Unit 1: Environmental Earth Science: Weather and Climate
    Unit 2: Earth Science: Earth Events and Geologic Time
    Unit 3: Life Science: Cells, Heredity and Classification
    Unit 4: Life Science: The Animal Kingdom

    Advanced Science – Grade 7

    This course is intended for students who demonstrate an innate aptitude in science, are self-motivated and possess demonstrably high mathematical, verbal and writing ability.  Placement in this class is dependent upon established criteria.  This course of study for grade seven middle school students is an advanced general science curriculum continuing the spiraled curriculum begun in sixth grade. The criterion for placement in Advanced Science is listed below (numerical averages based on year-end grades).

    Grade 6 to Advanced 7
    • 95 in Science 6
    • 90 in Mathematics
    • 90 ELA
    Score 8 out of 10 on Science Skill Rating Component
     
    Although not required, highly recommend placement in Advanced Math 7. 
     
    The course of study is in accordance with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science.  The course is designed to focus on development of a “scientific mind” through student use of scientific strategies.  The scientific process is practiced within each unit of study via the students hypothesizing, researching, experimenting, observing and inferring.  The major units of study for grade seven middle school advanced students are:
     
    Unit 1: Earth Science: Catastrophic Events
    • Sub-unit 1: Storms
    • Sub-unit 2: Earthquakes
    • Sub-unit 3: Volcanoes
    Unit 2: Life Science: Cells, Heredity and Classification
    Unit 3: Life Science: Environmental Science  
     

    Grade 8

    Grade Eight Science

    This course is intended to provide a background of information in science and a foundation for future school science courses.  Students receive instruction in the areas of chemistry, astronomy, and the related physical sciences.  This material is presented and practiced using a variety of learning tools and modalities: labs, demonstrations, hands-on activities, writing, computers applications and outside resources.  Audio visual presentations via videos, DVDs and internet sites will be used in presentation.  Student research work in the IMC is incorporated into the course.   

    Unit 1: Science Skills:  Measurement, Graphing, Data Analysis
    Unit 2: Chemistry:  Matter, Atoms, Periodic Table, Bonding, And Chemical  Reactions
    Unit 3: Astronomy:  Earth-Moon-Sun System, Solar System, Stars, Galaxies, Universe
    Unit 4: Physical Science:  Forces and Motion

    Grade Eight Advanced Science

    This course is intended for students who demonstrate an innate aptitude in science, are self-motivated and possess demonstrably high mathematical, verbal and writing ability.  Placement in this class is dependent upon established criteria. The criterion for placement in Advanced Science is listed below (numerical averages based on year-end grades).

    Grade 7 Advanced to Advance Science 8 
    • 90 in Advanced Science 7
    • 90 in Mathematics
    • 90 in ELA
    Score 8 out of 10 on Science Skill Rating Component
     
    Although not required, highly recomment placement in Algebra. 
     
     
    Grade 7 Regular to Advanced Science 8
    • 95 in Regular Science 7
    • 90 in Mathematics
    • 90 in ELA
    Score 8 out of 10 on Science Skill Rating Component.
     
    Although not required, highly recomment placement in Algebra. 
      
    Students should have a desire to continue in academically advanced science courses in high school.  Through this course students receive instruction in the areas of astronomy, chemistry, the related physical sciences, and forensics.  This material is presented and assessed through a variety of learning tools and modalities:  labs, demonstrations, hands-on activities, writing, computer and technology application.  Resources such as videos, DVDs, and the internet are incorporated into the course.  Students are required to research topics in the IMC as part of their coursework.
     
    Unit 1: Science Skills:  Measurements, Graphing, Data Analysis, Technical Writing, and Problem Solving
    Unit 2: Chemistry:  Properties of Matter, Atoms and the Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Reactions
    Unit 3: Astronomy:  Earth-Moon-Sun System, Solar System, Stars, Galaxies, Universe
    Unit 4: Physical Science:  Motion, Gravity, Inertia, Light, Sound
    Unit 5: Forensics