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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).

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

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

Your Cosmic Address

Lesson Grade 6

Students explore Earth's place in the universe, from our local solar system to the Milky Way galaxy and beyond, while understanding why Earth is uniquely suited to support life.

6.E.1
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

Expressions, Equations, and Mathematical Reasoning

Lesson Grade 6

Students learn the vocabulary of algebra (variables, expressions, equations, terms, coefficients, and constants) and apply order of operations (PEMDAS), properties of operations, and expression evaluation to build the foundation for all 6th grade mathematics.

NC.6.EE.1 NC.6.EE.2 NC.6.EE.3

Earth's Systems Unit Introduction: Earth's Layers and the Rock Cycle

Lesson Grade 6

A 45 minute unit introduction focused on Earth's internal layers and the rock cycle, including two check-your-understanding sections aligned to NC Grade 6 standards ESS.6.2.1 and ESS.6.2.3.

ESS.6.2.1 ESS.6.2.3

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
Unit Concept MapFour connected boxes showing the unit flow: Describing Motion leads to Graphing Motion leads to Forces Change Motion leads to ElectromagnetismUnit Concept Map: The Story of Forces and MotionLESSON 1DescribingMotionPositionSpeed (s = d/t)VelocityReference pointvisualizeLESSON 2GraphingMotionPosition-time graphSlope = speedGraph shapesCompare objectscause?LESSON 3Forces ChangeMotionBalanced / unbalancedNewton's 3 LawsF = m x aGravity, frictionpowerfulforceLESSON 4Electro-magnetismMagnets & fieldsElectromagnetsMotors / generatorsReal-world techForces change motion, and we can describe and graph those changes.Electromagnetism is the force behind most modern technology.Each lesson builds on the one before it, together they form a complete picture.

Forces and Interactions: Putting It All Together

Lesson Grade 7

Students synthesize all unit concepts by connecting motion description to graphing to forces to electromagnetism, apply integrated knowledge to real-world scenarios (roller coaster, electric car, maglev train), and review key vocabulary from all four previous lessons.

7.P.1.1 7.P.1.2 7.P.1.3 +1 more
Particle Arrangement in Three States of MatterThree panels comparing particle arrangement and motion in solids, liquids, and gasesParticle Arrangement in the Three States of MatterSOLIDVibrate in placeDefinite shapeDefinite volumeLIQUIDSlide past each otherNo definite shapeDefinite volumeGASMove rapidly, all directionsNo definite shapeNo definite volumeLeast energy→ → →Most energyAdding energy increases particle motion and changes the state of matter

States of Matter and Phase Changes

Lesson Grade 6

Students learn how particle arrangement and motion differ across solids, liquids, and gases, explore all six phase changes and the role of thermal energy, and interpret heating curves to understand what happens at each plateau.

6.P.1.2
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
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
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
Position-Time Graph: Maria's Walk to SchoolA three-segment position-time graph showing constant speed, rest, and faster constant speed during Maria's walk to schoolMaria's Walk to School0100200300400012345678910Time (minutes)Distance from Home (m)Segment 1: Constant speed40 m/minSegment 2:At restSegment 3: Faster!80 m/min

Graphing Motion

Lesson Grade 7

Students learn to create and interpret position-time graphs, calculate speed from slope, identify periods of rest, constant speed, and acceleration from graph shape, and compare the motion of multiple objects on the same graph.

7.P.1.3 7.P.1.1

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 Concept Map: The Complete StoryFlowchart connecting geological evidence to evidence for evolution to natural selection to genetic variation to adaptations to speciation to biodiversityThe Complete Story of EvolutionGEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE (L2)Rock layers, superposition, index fossils, datingrecordsEVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION (L1)Fossils, anatomy, embryology, DNAexplained byNATURAL SELECTION (L3)Overproduction, variation, selection, inheritanceGENETIC VARIATIONMutation, sexual repro,gene flow (the fuel)producesADAPTATIONS (L4)Structural, behavioral, physiologicalcan lead toSPECIATION (L4)Geographic isolation → divergence → new speciesexplainsBIODIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH~8.7 million species today, billions across 3.5 billion yearsSELECTION TYPESDirectional, stabilizing,disruptive4.6 billion years of geological and biological change, driven by one mechanism: natural selection

Biological Evolution: The Big Picture

Lesson Grade 8

Students synthesize all unit concepts by tracing the complete story of evolution from geological evidence through natural selection to adaptation and speciation, learn to build scientific arguments using the CER framework with the whale evolution case study, analyze integrated case studies (marine iguana, horse evolution), review all unit vocabulary, and explore why evolution matters today.

8.L.4.1 8.L.4.2 8.E.2.1 +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
Position-Time Graph: Motion Shapes at a GlanceFour-segment position-time graph illustrating fast constant speed, slow constant speed, at rest, and returning to startMotion Shapes on a Position-Time Graph0153045600123456789101112Time (seconds)Position (meters)A: Fast constantspeed (10 m/s)B: Slow constantspeed (2 m/s)C: At rest(0 m/s)D: Returningto start (−12 m/s)

Forces and Interactions - Remix

Lesson Grade 7

A fast-paced review of the first three lessons covering motion description, forces and Newton's Laws, and energy and simple machines. Designed to get students caught up and re-oriented after absences.

7.P.1.1 7.P.1.2 7.P.1.3 +2 more