South Side Middle School

The South Side Middle School Science Curricula for grades 6, 7 and 8 reflects the adoption of the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards and covers all Science topics from grades 6 through Earth and Space Sciences. It is based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Science 6

In accordance with New York State guidelines, the Science department has adopted an integrated or spiral approach to instruction in the 6th grade. Utilizing this approach, students will be introduced to the Life and Physical Sciences according to the New York State Science Learning Standards. The emphasis will be on building skills such as finding patterns, cause and effect relationships, making models, data analysis, graphing, and critical thinking through inquiry based phenomena. Conducting and writing up lab reports will also be emphasized using the MYP framework criteria. Students will be using the appropriate modules of the Savvas Realize e-text.

Scope & Sequence

Unit	Concepts	# of Days
1	Forces and Interactions	30
2	Energy	35
3	Structure, Function, and Information Processing	50
4	Matter and Energy in Organism and Ecosystems	40
5	Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems	25
	Engineering Design - Built in throughout the units listed above

Science 7

In accordance with New York State guidelines, the Science department has adopted an integrated or spiral approach to instruction in the 6th grade. Utilizing this approach, students will be introduced to the Life and Physical Sciences according to the New York State Science Learning Standards. The emphasis will be on building skills such as finding patterns, cause and effect relationships, making models, data analysis, graphing, and critical thinking through inquiry based phenomena. Conducting and writing up lab reports will also be emphasized using the MYP framework criteria. Students will be using the appropriate modules of the Savvas Realize e-text.

Scope & Sequence

Unit	Concepts	# of Days
1	Structure and Properties of Matter	40
2	Chemical Reactions	40
3	Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms	40
4	Natural Selection and Adaptations	40
5	Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation	20
	Engineering Design - Built in throughout the units listed above

Science 8

One eighth grade option continues the middle school program of instruction with a concentration in Earth Science in alignment with the New York State Science Learning Standards. The emphasis will continue to be on building skills such as finding patterns, cause and effect relationships, making models, data analysis, graphing, and critical thinking through inquiry based phenomena. Conducting and writing up lab reports will also be emphasized using the four mandated lab investigations that will be assessed by the NYS Science Assessment towards the end of the fourth quarter. Students will be using the appropriate modules of the Savvas Realize e-text.

Scope & Sequence

Unit	Concepts	# of Days
1	MS. Space Systems	40
2	MS. History of Earth	35
3	MS. Earth’s Systems	35
4	MS.Weather and Climate	35
5	MS. Human Impacts	35
	Engineering Design - Built in throughout the units listed above

Earth and Space Sciences

The second eighth grade option is High School Earth and Space Science which is a course based on the New York State Science Learning Standards that explores phenomena within space and Earth. Students will develop skills in analyzing and interpreting data to understand complex phenomena and solve problems. The curriculum emphasizes an investigative approach, with a significant portion of the course dedicated to laboratory activities and hands-on investigations to develop scientific inquiry skills. The course culminates in a Regents Exam in June, and successful completion requires 1,200 minutes of laboratory work, including three mandatory state labs.

Scope & Sequence

Unit	Concepts	# of Days
1	HS. Space Systems	25
2	HS. History of Earth	20
3	HS. Earth’s Systems	55
4	HS. Weather and Climate	35
5	HS. Human Sustainability	30
	Engineering Design - Built in throughout the units listed above