Ninth Grade Physical Science

5a. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to distinguish among materials by utilizing observable properties.

D - H - Master

D. Obtain reliable and valid quantitative data through careful and skilled use of measuring instruments

E. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative properties based upon observations of a substance


F. Experiment to determine specific properties of substances that are useful in identification of the substance such as


G. Use derived measurements of objects or substances to determine non-observable properties


H. Describe, compare, and classify

 

5b Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that matter is composed of dynamic interactive units or particles and that all the properties and changes in matter can be explained in terms of the forces involved in the interactions of these units.

E – H – Master

E. Explain that the arrangement, configuration and/or motion of atoms, molecules, and ions of a particular substance determine the structure and, thus, the properties of that substance


F. Recognize that groups of elements have similar properties because of their atomic structure and have been organized in a Periodic Table


G. Identify and describe each state of matter, including plasma, in terms of the arrangement and motion of its particulate units


H. Demonstrate that it takes time for substances to change or interact and that these rates are affected by such factors as temperature, pressure, and change of state

5c. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand the relationships among different types and forms of energy.

G – M – Master

  1. Collect observations to show that transformations of energy involve the production of heat
  1. Describe or sketch how energy is released when the nuclei of some atoms undergo fission or fusion
  1. Experimentally perform the transformation of one energy form to another
  1. Explain quantitatively exchanges of energy within a system
  1. Investigate and explain the range of energy released in different transformations
  1. Use basic measurement to study increases and decreases in an energy system to determine conservation of energy
  2. Describe momentum and conduct an experiment to illustrate conservation of momentum

5d. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing understanding of how electrical and magnetic systems interact with matter and energy.

D – G – Master

D. Investigate and measure the responses of different materials to electrical forces

E. Construct

F. Measure all circuit values in a compound circuit

G. Demonstrate the relationship between electrical and magnetic fields of force

5e. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing understanding of how an unbalanced force exerted on an object causes a change in the state of rest or motion of that object in the direction of the unbalanced force.

E – J – Master

E. Formulate questions, design an exploration, and collect data about objects in motion

F. Demonstrate inertia as a property of an object which resists a change in motion and is directly related to its mass

G. Observe, describe, and identify basic types of waves

H. Demonstrate the relationships among change in motion, applied force, and mass of an object

I. Identify friction as a force opposing motion

J. Identify and experimentally explore forces acting at a distance

5f. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing understanding that energy can be transmitted by waves, using light and sound as examples.

F – J – Master

F. Distinguish among the following for both longitudinal and transverse waves

G. Conduct investigations to demonstrate the properties of

H. Demonstrate the differences in sound quality produced by simple musical instruments:

I. Identify and distinguish among the various forms of electromagnet radiation

J. Determine the speed of a wave using wave length and frequency

5g. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing understanding that heat is the product of many natural processes.

C – E – Master

C. Formulate a series of explorations that distinguish between

D. Examine the relationship between the effects of heating and cooling and the motion of the molecules

E. Sketch an experiment to show how most natural processes result in an increase in entropy of the system

6a. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to recognize parts of any object or system, and understand how the parts interrelate in the operation of that object or system.

D – G – Reinforce

D. Demonstrate and describe how parts of a system influence each other, including feedback

E. Demonstrate how systems include processes as well as parts

F. Show how one system can be part of another system, and how systems influence each other

G. Predict how certain changes in the system will/will not affect the operation of the system

6b. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the meaning of stability and change and will be able to identify and explain change in terms of cause and effect.

E – H – Master

E. Distinguish among the following changes and give examples of each

F. Identify and describe varying rates of change and measure selected rates

G. Recognize one form of stability as opposing changes occurring at the same rate (dynamic equilibrium) and cite several examples of that type of stability

H. Quantify certain changes and use a mathematical expression to determine past or future states of the system

6c. Curriculum Standard:

Students will understand the meaning of models, their appropriate use and limitations, and how models can help them in understanding the natural world.

E – I – Master

E. Distinguish among the following models and give examples of each

F. Use different models to represent the same object or process

G. Use a computer and mathematical model to determine values of variables beyond the range of phenomena observed in the laboratory

H. Compare and explain differences in values obtained using a mathematical model and those obtained in the laboratory

I. Illustrate how models allow scientists to better understand the natural world

6d. Curriculum Standard:

Students will increasingly quantify their interactions with phenomena in the natural world, use these results to understand differences of scale in objects and systems, and determine how changes in scale affect various properties of those objects and systems.

E – J – Master

E. Calculate from direct measurements, many of the derived measurements of objects such as

F. Calculate averages and ranges of measurement values for certain properties or processes in a system

G. Correlate the mathematical relationships among

H. Convert data collected from measurements into graphs and derive mathematical relationships from the data and graphs

I. Determine the degree of error in any measurement given the accuracy of the instruments used

J. Express relationships among measurements in the form of

1a. Curriculum Standard:

Students will demonstrate an increasing understanding of how the scientific enterprise operates.

P – Z – Reinforce

    1. Formulate questions and use appropriate concepts to guide scientific investigations and to solve real world problems
    2. Use ratios as a means of comparing very large/very small numbers
      • building scale models
      • solar system models
      •  
      1. Design and conduct a controlled scientific investigation
      2.  

      3. Use technologies as tools in conducting investigations
      1. Construct and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence
      2. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models for observed phenomena
      3.  

      4. Select, communicate, and defend a scientific argument
      5.  

      6. Compare and contrast how technology has shaped our lives both in the past and the present
      7. Select a science-related social problem and design a solution that reflects an understanding of basic science concepts and their application
      8.  

      9. Demonstrate an understanding that science knowledge has, over time, accumulated most rapidly after acceptance of major new theories
      10.  

      11. Explain how scientific knowledge is applied in the design and manufacture of products or technological processes

    2a. Curriculum Standard:

    Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to use measuring instruments to gather accurate and/or precise information.

    D – F – Reinforce

      1. Measure with both analog and digital electronic devices
      1. Estimate the error in measurements they make and use procedures to minimize those errors
      2.  

      3. Describe ways in which technology has improved measuring instruments and their accuracy

    2b. Curriculum Standard:

    Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to use technology to observe nature.

    C, D - Reinforce

      1. Explore nature with technology
        • Microscopes
        • Telescopes
        • computer probes
        • spectroscopes
        • etc

        1. Gather information that can only be obtained by using a technological tool

      2c. Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate scientific information using technology.

      E - I - Reinforce

        1. Store data in an appropriate technological device
        1. Manipulate data on a spreadsheet
        1. Analyze data graphically with technological assistance
        1. Communicate data through an electronic medium
        1. Quantitatively analyze experimental data
        • Using spreadsheets
        • Vernier
        • HOBO?

      2e. Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that science and technology can affect individuals, and that individuals in turn can affect science and technology.

      D, E, F - Reinforce

        1. Describe immediate and long-term consequences of various alternative solutions for science- and/or technology-related issues
        • natural catastrophes
        • interactions of populations
        • resources and environment
        • health and disease
        1. Defend a personal decision made on a science- and/or technology-related issue
        2. Determine how technology affects their lives and predict how it might affect their future

      2f. Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that progress in science and technology is controlled by societal attitudes and beliefs.

      D, E - Reinforce

        1. Illustrate, through example, that the knowledge produced through science and technology changes the way members of society think
        2. Demonstrate, by giving examples, the relationships between the maintenance and progress of society and scientific and technological advancement

      2f. Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that progress in science and technology is controlled by societal attitudes and beliefs.

      D, E - Reinforce

        1. Illustrate, through example, that the knowledge produced through science and technology changes the way members of society think
        2. Demonstrate, by giving examples, the relationships between the maintenance and progress of society and scientific and technological advancement

      3b.Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand how environmental factors affect all living systems (i.e. individuals, community, biome, the biosphere) as well as species to species interactions.

      3c.Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that organisms are linked to one another and to their physical setting by the transfer and transformation of matter and energy to maintain a dynamic equilibrium.

      H - Reinforce

        1. Compare the transformation of matter and energy during photosynthesis and respiration
        2. 3d. Curriculum Standard:

          Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand fundamental structures, functions, and mechanisms of inheritance found in microorganisms, fungi, protists, plants, and animals.

          4a. Curriculum Standard:

          Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that the Earth is a unique member of our solar system, located in a galaxy, within the universe.

          4b. Curriculum Standard:

          Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that the Earth is a complex planet with five interacting systems, which consists of the solid Earth (lithosphere), air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere), ice (cryosphere), and life (biosphere).

          O, P, Q - Master

        3. Describe the motions of ocean waters and identify their causes and effects on climate
        4. Identify the composition and physical characteristics of the atmosphere
        5. Explain the roles of water and weather in distributing the Sun's heat energy

      4c. Curriculum Standard:

      Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that the Earth contains a variety of renewable and non-renewable resources.

      E, F, G, H - Reinforce

        1. Investigate how human activities, such as reducing the amount of forest cover and increasing the amount and variety of chemicals released into the atmosphere have changed the Earth's land, ocean, and atmosphere
        2. Cite evidence that our fresh water supply is essential for life and also for most industrial processes
        3. Describe possible consequences of reducing or eliminating some of the Earth's natural resources
        4. Identify natural, as well as human-induced, factors which contribute to changes in the Earth's systems