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2001 Annual Grant Issue
Susanne Johnston and Rollin Wakeman: Kast Grant Report
Middle School Science Curriculum Revision
We are in the middle of a three-year study and revision of the Middle School science curriculum. Our evaluation has included a critical look at the balance between content and skills, the specific content that is studied, the attention paid to process, and the methods by which we assess our students' work. We will look at our own curriculum in the context of the PK-12 program and review the sequence of skills introduced, developed, and mastered at each level.
The goal has been to develop a comprehensive program to which we can all give our support. As we envision it, the program will include more hands-on manipulation of measuring devices and tools, more formal lab write-ups, more inquiry-based support materials, more practical content material, with an increased environmental focus. We will assume, for the moment, that "less is more" and consider delving more deeply into fewer topics that we feel are appropriately challenging and relevant. We will consider Project 2061, the National Science Standards, and Chapter 4 Pennsylvania Standards, as we determine what processes and concepts should be a part of our sixth through eighth grade program.
Sue Johnston and I have prepared the following Kast Grant Report. There is a three-year timetable for implementation. We began in the spring of 2001, with a common statement of goals and objectives. In the first year (2001-02) we inserted some new labs and cut back on some content, while largely following the curriculum that was in place. In the second year (2002-03) we will implement a new curriculum. In the final year (2003-04) we will fine-tune the program.
A comprehensive review of our science program is exciting to contemplate. We look forward to working together with our colleagues as we build a new curriculum that will strengthen our teaching of process while limiting the range of topics we cover.
Below is a list of the skills that we feel it is important for our Middle School students to learn. We arrived at this specific list after considerable discussion with our Upper School colleagues.
Skill Sets
| Measurement Skills | Science Method Skills | Mathematical Skills |
| 1) Read a number line on a: Graduated Cylinder Ruler/Meter Stick Analog Thermometer |
1) Read a Graph | 1) Convert within Metric |
| 2) Determine Area + Volume | 2) Interprete a Graph | 2) Round off accurately |
| 3) Determine Density |
3) State a Hypothesis |
3) Determine a Mean |
| 4) Determine Spec. Gravity | 4) Follow instructions | 4) Use of Scientific Notation |
| 5) Use proper units | 5) Be able to write up a Lab | 5) Determine a Median and Mode |
| 6) Use pH Scale | 6) Devise an Exp. with Control | 6) Use Significant Digits |
| 7) Terminology of Graphing | 7) Find a Percentage (like Percent Moisture) |
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| 8) Draw a Best Fit Line | 8) Rate of Speed (R = d/t) |
| High Technology Skills |
| 1) Word Processing |
| 2) Use Multi-tasking in research |
| 3) Messages and attachments to E-mail/Web Mail |
| 4) Spell Checker |
| 5) Excel for Graphing |
| 6) Fireworks for posting abstract |
| 7) pH Meter |
| 8) Computer-based data collection (LabPro) |
Lab Pro
Lab Pro Quick Reference Guide
These pages give some specific information about the new LabPro devices by Vernier that we are using to collect data.
Sampling of the new labs we have written for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade curricula:
Grade 6 - Scientific Inquiry
Grade 6 - Exporing Life
Grade 7 - I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
Grade 7 - What Kind of "Stuff" Are You Made 0f?
Grade 7 - How Many Viruses Fit on a Human Hair?
Grade 8 - Metric Measurement
Grade 8 - Atmosphere
