PRISM Library

Browse free, privacy-first educational resources

Found 173 resources

Matter and Its Interactions Unit Introduction

Lesson Grade 8

A 60 minute unit introduction where students model atomic structure, use periodic table patterns to predict properties, distinguish elements/compounds/mixtures, and explain chemical reactions and conservation of mass using models and data.

PS.8.1 PS.8.1.1 PS.8.1.2 +3 more

Mixing It Up

Lesson Grade 7

Students compare sexual and asexual reproduction, understand how each affects genetic variation, and analyze why genetic diversity is crucial for species survival.

7.L.2

Number Relationships and Place Value

Lesson Grade 6

Students deepen their understanding of factors and multiples, distinguish prime from composite numbers, find GCF and LCM, and extend place value knowledge through thousandths, building the vocabulary and number sense needed for fraction and decimal operations.

NC.6.NS.4 NC.6.NS.3 NC.6.NS.1
Solar system scale (conceptual, not to scale) Sun (largest) Jupiter Earth The Sun is far larger and more massive than any planet.

Grade 6 Quick Quiz: Earth and Space Science Review

Lesson Grade 6

A 5-question multiple-choice quiz on solar system scale, solstices, the Milky Way, basic probability multiplication, and unit conversion (Imperial to SI).

Unit Concept MapFlowchart showing how matter, atoms, properties, states, energy transfer, and phase changes all connect in one coherent frameworkUnit Concept Map: How Everything ConnectsMATTERanything with mass & volumeMade of ATOMSprotons, neutrons, electrons; element = # protonshaveexist inPROPERTIESidentify & measure substancesIntensivedensity, mp, bp, solubility= substance fingerprintExtensivemass, volume, weight= depend on amountSTATES OF MATTERsolid, liquid, gas (particle energy)changed byENERGY TRANSFERconduction, convection, radiationalways flows hot → coldcausesPHASE CHANGESmelting, freezing, evaporation,condensation, sublimation, depositiontemp. constant during changechanges stateParticles + Energy = the whole story of matter

Matter and Its Interactions: Putting It All Together

Lesson Grade 6

Students synthesize all unit concepts by connecting atomic structure to properties, tracing how energy transfer causes phase changes at the particle level, applying multiple concepts to real-world scenarios, and reviewing key vocabulary from all four previous lessons.

6.P.1.1 6.P.1.2 6.P.1.3 +3 more
Simplified Geological ColumnFive rock layers showing the progression of life from simple bacteria 3.5 billion years ago to modern organisms today, arranged from oldest at bottom to youngest at topLife Through Earth's HistoryOldest layers at bottom, youngest at topTIME (oldest → youngest)~3.5 Billion Years AgoSimple bacteria & single-celledorganisms (prokaryotes)~500 Million Years AgoMarine invertebrates, trilobites,early fish~370 Million Years AgoAmphibians, land plants,insects, early reptiles~250 - 66 Million Years AgoDinosaurs, early mammals,flowering plants, early birds~66 MYA - PresentModern mammals, birds, humans,flowering plants dominateKey PatternOldest layers contain thesimplest organisms.Each newer layer showsprogressively more complex life.Transitional fossils bridge thegaps between major groups.Transitional Fossils:Tiktaalik (fish → land animals)Archaeopteryx (dinosaur → bird)Pakicetus → modern whalesThe fossil record is incompletebut tells a remarkablyconsistent story of changeover billions of years.

Evidence for Evolution

Lesson Grade 8

Students explore four major lines of evidence for biological evolution: the fossil record (including transitional fossils), comparative anatomy (homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures), embryology, and molecular biology (DNA comparisons). Students also learn how modern classification systems reflect evolutionary relationships.

8.L.4.1

Unit Test - Heredity, Inheritance, and Variation

Assessment Grade 7

Summative unit assessment covering heredity and genetics: inherited vs. acquired traits, DNA/chromosomes/genes, alleles and dominance, genotype vs. phenotype, Punnett squares, sexual vs. asexual reproduction, genetic variation and survival, and environmental effects on gene expression.

7.L.2 7.L.2.1 7.L.2.2 +1 more
Genes, environment, and survival DNA from parents leads to gene expression and traits. Environment and lifestyle feed into gene expression and survival. Traits affect survival and reproduction across generations. Genes, environment, and survival A model: genes set possibilities; environment influences expression and survival. DNA from parents (genes inherited) Gene expression (genes used more/less) Traits (phenotype) Environment and lifestyle food, sleep, stress, toxins sunlight, exercise, illness Survival and health who lives long enough to reproduce Over generations: traits that help survival/reproduction may become more common leads to helps form can change also affects

Environment and Lifestyle Choices on Biological Inheritance

Lesson Grade 7

A 30 minute Grade 7 lesson on how environment and lifestyle affect gene expression, health, and survival, and how some environmental factors can affect inheritance through mutations and epigenetic mechanisms.

7.L.2.3
HydrosphereOceansIce and snowGroundwaterSurface waterAtmosphereGeosphereBiosphere

Hydrosphere - Intro

Lesson Grade 8

A 10-minute in-class introduction to the hydrosphere. Students define the hydrosphere, identify major water reservoirs, and explain a basic interaction between water, humans, and other Earth systems.

8.E.1 8.E.1.1 8.E.1.3 +1 more

Thunderstorms 101 | National Geographic

Lesson Grade 6, 7, 8

Guided notes worksheet for the Thunderstorms 101 video from National Geographic. Students fill in blanks while watching the video.

6.ESS.2 6.PS.2

Matter and Its Interactions - Remix

Lesson Grade 6

A fast-paced review of the first three lessons covering atoms and subatomic particles, phases and properties of matter, and elements and the periodic table. Designed to get students caught up and re-oriented after absences.

6.P.1.1 6.P.1.2 6.P.1.3

Unit Test - Weather and Climate

Assessment Grade 7

A 40-question summative unit test covering atmospheric composition and structure, the water cycle, humidity and cloud formation, air masses and fronts, pressure systems, weather map interpretation, convection and global winds, the jet stream, and climate zones. Aligned to NC Standard Course of Study ESS.7.1.

ESS.7.1 ESS.7.1.1 ESS.7.1.2 +3 more

Unit Review - Ecosystems: Interactions and Energy

Lesson Grade 8

Comprehensive unit review covering ecosystems and the hydrosphere: water distribution and the water cycle, ocean currents and climate, groundwater and watersheds, human impacts on water quality, food webs and energy flow, trophic levels and the 10% rule, and biomes.

8.E.1 8.E.1.1 MS-LS2-3 +1 more
Basic Structure of an AtomDiagram showing the internal structure of an atom with a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons orbiting in an electron cloudStructure of an Atomp+nnp+p+ne-e-e-Nucleus(protons + neutrons)Electron(negative charge)Dashed ellipses represent the electron cloud (region where electrons are found)Proton (+1)Neutron (0)Electron (-1)

Building Blocks of Matter

Lesson Grade 6

Students learn that all matter is made of atoms, explore the three subatomic particles and their arrangement within an atom, and discover how atomic number defines each element.

6.P.1.1 6.P.2.1
Three Methods of Heat TransferThree side-by-side panels showing conduction through a metal rod, convection currents in a pot of water, and radiation traveling through empty space from the Sun to EarthThree Methods of Heat TransferCONDUCTIONDirect contact, particle to particleMetal RodHOTCOOLRequires directcontactBest in solidsMetals = good conductorsWood, plastic = insulatorsCONVECTIONFluids circulate (liquids & gases)Warm rises ↑Coolsinks ↓Requires a fluid(liquid or gas)Creates circular currentsDrives wind, ocean currentsCannot occur in solidsRADIATIONElectromagnetic waves, no matter neededSunEarthempty space (vacuum)No matter required!Travels through vacuumOnly method that worksin empty spaceDark objects absorb moreAll three methods transfer heat from warmer to cooler, but they just use different mechanisms

Energy Transfer in Matter

Lesson Grade 6

Students learn that thermal energy always flows from warmer to cooler objects, explore the three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation), and apply these concepts to everyday phenomena from cooking to clothing choices.

6.P.2.2 6.P.3.1
Balanced vs. Unbalanced ForcesTwo side-by-side diagrams: balanced forces with equal opposing arrows and zero net force, and unbalanced forces with unequal arrows and nonzero net force causing accelerationBalanced vs. Unbalanced ForcesBALANCED FORCESBox15 N15 NNet Force = 0 NNo change in motion(stays at rest or keepsmoving at same speed)UNBALANCED FORCESBox20 N8 NNet Force = 12 N →Accelerates right

Forces and Newton's Laws

Lesson Grade 7

Students learn what forces are and how they are measured, distinguish between balanced and unbalanced forces, explore Newton's three laws of motion with real-world examples, and apply F = ma to predict motion.

7.P.1.2

Unit Test - Ecosystems, Interactions, and Energy

Assessment Grade 8

Summative unit assessment covering ecosystems and the hydrosphere: water distribution, the water cycle and residence time, ocean currents and climate, groundwater and watersheds, human impacts on water quality, photosynthesis, food webs and energy flow, trophic levels and the 10% rule, and biomes.

8.E.1 8.E.1.1 MS-LS2-3 +1 more
Rock Layer Cross-SectionSix horizontal rock layers labeled A through F from oldest at bottom to youngest at top, with an unconformity between layers C and D and a fault cutting through layers C, D, and ERock Layer Cross-SectionLayer ALayer BLayer CLayer DLayer ELayer FKeyLayer F (top) = YoungestLayer A (bottom) = OldestUnconformity(gap in the rock recordbetween C and D)Fault(crack where layers shifted;younger than layers it cuts)Fossils (Layer B)Reading Order:1. Layers A-C deposited2. Erosion (unconformity)3. Layers D-F deposited4. Fault cuts through C-E

Reading the Rock Record

Lesson Grade 8

Students learn to read Earth's history from rock layers using the Law of Superposition, index fossils for correlation, relative and absolute dating methods including radiometric dating and half-lives, the geologic time scale, and additional geological evidence from ice cores, faults, and igneous intrusions.

8.E.2.1 8.E.2.2