7th & 8th grade Science

Teacher: Kelsie
Customers Who Have Viewed This Course: 10797

$299.00

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Unit 1 - Communicating Science

0 Course Overview 17:03

This course overview details the outline of the course as well as the goals and structure of each lesson. Beginning with a 4 minute introduction, students will see the format of each video lesson and will learn what to expect for the practice exercises, exploration labs, review videos, and quizzes. Following the course intro, each of the 6 units will be discussed using the same interactive whiteboard that will be used in all video lectures. The course/lesson outline is attached to this lesson for further detail of lesson and unit structure. Leave with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect in this exciting and informative science course perfect for anybody preparing for high school science!

1 What is Science? 15:42

Science is all around us and presents itself in MANY different forms. That's what this lesson is all about - serving as an introduction to the sciences we will discuss in this course and what science looks like out in the world! Complete with a video, challenge, and practice handout, this lesson will leave students with a curiosity to learn more!

2 What is Science Review 01:15

What is Science Review

3 The Scientific Method 22:16

The scientific method is a series of steps that help scientists find answers to their questions! We will practice the steps of the scientific method using the example of heart rate and exercise. Then, students will apply their understanding of the scientific method to identify several of the steps listed with a practice handout.

4 The Scientific Method Review 01:54

5 Graphing like a Pro 20:12

For such a crucial topic, graphing really gets overlooked in today's education! Science means nothing without an ability to effectively communicate what has been learned, and creating/reading graphs is crucial in doing so. Join me as we explore the types of graphs and learn when to use each in communicating scientific results effectively. Accompanying this lesson is a lab exercise that ties the scientific method and graphing all together!

6 Graphing like a Pro Review 03:44

Unit 2 - Energy in Ecosystems

7 Biotic vs. Abiotic 12:50

Our planet is both living and non-living. It recycles itself and yields an abundance of life, but none of this would be possible without the non-living factors life depends on. In this lesson students will identify the difference between biotic and abiotic factors and identify how these factors interact. This lesson is accompanied by a challenge, a practice activity, and a review at the end of the content video.

8 Biotic vs. Abiotic Review 04:06

9 Organization of Life 20:33

In this lesson you will learn the general structure for organization of life and living systems on the planet. Students will identify what life is made of, how it is structured, and what the varying living systems on the planet are. Complete with a handout, challenge, and review practive at the end of the content video, this lesson will leave students with a more complete "big picture" understanding of life on Earth!

10 Organization of Life Review 03:07

11 Food Chains and Webs 13:30

Life requires energy yet energy cannot be created. So, how does the life on planet earth acquire the energy it needs? Find out as we explore food chains and food webs within an ecosystem. We will take a closer look at the relationships between different types of organisms and how each organism obtains the energy it needs to survive!

12 Food Chains and Webs Review 03:11

13 The Energy Pyramid 13:01

What happens to the energy we obtain after we eat? And even more, how much energy do we get from the food we eat? These questions and more will be answered in this interactive lesson discussing the 10% energy rule. Complete with a practice handout and review, students will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the role energy plays in our bodies and in an ecosystem, and how the organisms of an ecosystem depend on one another to fulfill these energy needs!

14 The Energy Pyramid Review 04:43

15 Symbiotic Relationships 13:12

Orgnanisms depend on one another for energy and survival, but some of them get the short end of the stick! Explore the various types of symbiotic relationships that allow organisms to thrive in their ecosystem while sometimes at the cost of another. Witness examples of relationships found in the wild and make connections between these inter-species relationships and the relationships you experience in everyday life.

16 Symbiotic Relationships Review 03:34

17 Biological Macromolecules 20:18

We know that our bodies (and life in general) require energy to survive, but that is just one of the many things that all life has in common! All living things rely on a variety of biological macromolecules to keep their cells alive and functioning. Learn about these types of molecules and how you can obtain these necessary molecules through a healthy and balanced diet!

18 Biological Macromolecules Review 05:00

19 Biogeochemical Cycles 20:15

There is a static amount of "stuff" on our planet, Earth. We have no more or less carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. than we have ever had on Earth. What has changed, however, is the form in which these elements exist! Join me as we explore how these organic compounds take a journey through the living and non-living parts of our planet in order to keep life productive and thriving!

20 Biogeochemical Cycles Review 03:39

21 Ecological Succession 19:38

When disaster strikes, entire ecosystems can be knocked out and even stripped down to their most bare beginnings. The natural process of ecosystem rehabilitation, known as "ecological succession", is an excellent example of nutrient and chemical recycling at work and is necessary for life on Earth to continue thriving as the planet ebbs and flows. Learn about how the Hawaiian islands were formed, what happens to a forest after it is struck by a tsunami, and more in this interactive and informative boilogy lesson!

22 Ecological Succession Review 03:00

23 Population Ecology 15:08

Populations, like organisms in general, are highly dependent on one another. If one population is booming, you can rightfully assume that another is suffocating as a result. A balance is necessary in order for an ecosystem to continue functioning at every level of the energy pyramid. This "equilibrium" is what each ecosystem is in constant search for. Witness this phenomenon as we explore several examples of how populations of organisms affect one another in this introduction to population ecology!

24 Population Ecology Review 03:52

25 Carrying Capacity 20:12

As we learned in our previous lesson, populations are very capable of limiting other populations. But, is it possible for populations to limit themselves as well? In this lesson we will answer this question and more as we define "carrying capacity" and practice ways of determining the carrying capacity of an existing population. We will study several population growth models, including our own human population, in order to speculate how big these species can get in their habitat. We will also discuss a variety of other factors (limiting factors) that might hinder a population from growing further. Explore this concept through a variety of real-life examples in this analysis-based lesson!

26 Carrying Capacity Review 02:20

Unit 3 - Cells

27 Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes 19:41

Life starts with the cell, but it doesn't end there! Cells can live on their own OR they can live as a unit to make up a much more intricate organism! With all these possibilities comes different types of cells - prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. These two types of cells may have many differences, but what they both share is an amazing ability to be and build life! In this lesson you will learn all about the most simple form of life - the prokaryotic cell - as well as the more complex and evolved form of life that makes up our own human bodies - the eukaryotic cell. Compare and contrast these two major cell types in this interactive lesson!

28 Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes Review 03:11

29 Cell Theory and Organelles 16:25

Cells are a world of their own - inside them an intricate and miraculous matrix of chemicals working to keep the miracle of life intact. We begin this lesson by discussing the 3 parts of the cell theory to round out our overall understanding of cells and their place in our world. Then, we will dive in to the major membrane-bound organelles that make up the inside (and outside) of the Eukaryotic cell. We will compare a plant cell and an animal cell - both their shape and the organelles that reside in them. To finish off the lesson, you will brainstorm analogies which compare the parts of a cell to the parts of a city! Let's dive in to the tiny world inside the cell together!

30 Cell Theory and Organelles Review 03:20

31 Cellular Energy 14:58

Energy is required for life, we know this much! But how do we get the energy from the sun in to our bodies to help us do all the things we need to do in a day? Well, it's not as simple as just eating (or if you're a plant, photosynthesizing)! There are very important chemical reactions happening in all of your cells at all times in order to maintain the energy needs that your body requires. In this lesson we will discuss two major processes: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. We will compare the two processes - their products, reactants, and where they occur - and describe exactly how these processes help our cells stay alive and functioning!

32 Cellular Energy Review 03:26

33 The Cell Membrane 18:17

The cell is precious and therefore needs a very strong guard to protect itself. That's one of the major roles of the cell membrane - to be a "bouncer" for the cell. The cell membrane is very selective about what it allows to enter - and exit - the cell, and for good reason! There are many things out there looking to attack the cell but often are unsuccessful if they cannot get inside. Learn all about the amazing cell membrane and how it selects what enters and leaves the cell. We will also take a look at how the "chosen ones" (needed molecules) make their way through the intricate fluid membrane in order to do the job they came to do! This lesson comes equipped with a fun and engaging at-home lab!

34 The Cell Membrane Review 03:28

35 DNA: The Blueprint of Life 15:05

DNA contains an incredible amount of information in all organisms big and small! This information can be found along the complex molecule as a series of chemicals called Nitrogen Bases. Learn about how these nitrogen bases determine the traits of an organism and the overall structure of this amazing biological macromolecule in this interactive and informative lesson!

36 DNA: The Blueprint of Life Review 03:18

37 Cell Specialization 16:01

Life is complex and our bodies are some of the most complex on the planet! Within our bodies (and the bodies of multicellular organisms) are many different types of cells. Each of these unique cell types perform specialized jobs and therefore have unique shapes associated with their specific job. This is how we have different tissues and organs and organ systems - it's all thanks to our cells' ability to express only the genes needed to do the job they are meant to do! Learn about gene expression and how this leads to cell specialization in this informative lesson!

38 Cell Specialization Review 03:36

39 The Cell Cycle 14:32

Since cells are alive they must also grow and develop throughout the course of their short lives. This growth and development, however, looks much different from the stages of growth and development that we as humans exhibit throughout our own lives. This lesson will explore the major stages of the cell cycle and how DNA replication fits in to the equation. This cycle explains how cells spend the majority of their life as well as how cells divide (reproduce) when it is time (hint - they don't need a mate)!

40 The Cell Cycle Review 03:38

41 Mitosis and Cancer 15:59

We know that the cell goes through a series of developmental stages known as the "cell cycle", but how much of a role does Mitosis play in this life cycle? Mitosis - or cell division - might be a short portion of a cell's life BUT that doesn't make it any less important! Mitosis is necessary for the growth and development of organisms, the reproduction of cells, and the health of those cells! Learn about the 4 stages of Mitosis in more detail with this lesson and identify what happens when the cell begins to divide out of control. We will discuss how cancer can result from mistakes made during the cell cycle leading to uncontrolled mitosis and apply this to our understanding of how cells function in the body. Join me as we dive deeper into the world of cell division!

42 Mitosis and Cancer Review 02:33

43 Virus's 18:16

You've probably been sick from a viral infection before and may have been confused as to why you couldn't take antibiotics to get better. There are a lot of differences betwenn viruses and bacteria and these differences are discussed in detail in this lesson! Learn about what viruses are, how they "invade" and cause sickness in organisms, how they interact with healthy cells, and why they need to do so in this exciting lesson!

44 Virus's review 03:08

Unit 4 - Genetics & Heredity

45 Intro to Genetics & Heredity 18:15

You are a product of your parents - BOTH of them! You may look like one of your parents more than the other, but you are still equal parts of each of them on a chromosomal level. This lesson explores the foundation of genetics and heredity, specifically single-gene traits. We will begin by studying traits that show patterns of dominance and will lay the groundwork for such studies with some basic terminology. You will leave this lesson with a better understanding of how your traits are determined and how they are written and packaged into your chromosomes!

46 Intro to Genetics and Heredity Review 03:13

47 Mendelian Genetics Part 1 - Law of Segregation 15:20

Do you look more like one of your parents than the other? Likely this is the case and likely it is a result of Gregor Mendel's Law of Segregation of alleles. Each parent equally contributes their DNA to their offspring, but some genes within this DNA have been known to "overshadow" others, a concept known in the genetics world as "gene dominance". Learn about how the genes of each parent equally seperate and contribute to the genome of their offspring in the first part of our two part lesson over Mendelian Genetics!

48 Mendelian Genetics Part 1 Review 04:15

49 Mendelian Genetics Part 2 - Punnett Sqaures 20:00

Studying Mendelian Genetics can allow us to explain and even predict why certain traits appear in the offspring of two parents. In order to predict such outcomes, punnett sqaures can be used to analyze possible genotypes and phenotypes! In this lesson we will learn how to set up a punnett square, perform a monohybrid cross, and analyze the results of the punnett square in the form of "genotypic and phenotypic ratios".

50 Mendelian Genetics Part 2 Review 08:19

51 Karyotypes 18:41

We have learned that the genetic material, or DNA, of an organism is tightly wound and packaged into chromosomes. But what do these chromosomes look like inside the nucleus and what does the number and arrangement of these chromosomes tell us about the organism? Learn how to analyze the karyotype of an organism in this lesson and practice a practical application of this concept as we compare karyotypes of different species!

52 Karyotypes Review 03:25

53 Pedigrees 18:37

Pedigrees aren't just any family tree, they show a unique snapshot of the inheritance of certain traits among generations of family members! Pedigrees are extremely helpful tools in identifying the liklihood of trait inheritance as well as analyzing a pattern of inheritance throughout the family. In this lesson you will learn how to read a pedigree and all of its symbols. You will then use your knowledge of such symbols and pedigree structure to develop a pedigree of your own family!

54 Pedigrees Review 03:33

55 Genetic Disorders 17:50

In this lesson we will address a handful of genetic disorders and will use karyotypes to analyze the origin of each. We will discuss how genetic disorders are passed from parent to offspring and how one can identify the presence of a genetic disorder using a karyotype. Learn about the basics of genetic disorder aquisition through this lesson.

56 Genetic Disorders Review 04:34

57 Comparing Sexual & Asexual Reproduction 16:10

One thing that all life has in common is the ability to reproduce, but the manner by which organisms accomplish this looks different around the world. Reproduction is necessary for species survival and therefore the method by which a species reproduces is meant to compliment the species itself. Learn about the advantages AND disadvantages of both major reproductive methods - sexual and asexual - in this informative lesson. Then, we will identify how these methods help an organism to adapt to a changing environment.

58 Comparing Sexual & Asexual Reproduction Review 05:06

59 Natural Selection 17:17

Our planet is always changing and the species that inhabit it must also have the ability to adapt to it's changes. The adaptations that allow organisms to survive in their environment are found to last the test of time and are passed down from surviving parent to offspring. On the contrary, traits that hinder an organisms' survival are typically not seen to last for many generations. This idea of nature "selecting" for or against certain traits is called "natural selection" and is presumed to lead to the evolution, or change, of a species over time. In this lesson we will explore the theory of Natural Selection and analyze situations in which this occurs in nature!

60 Natural Selection Review 08:56

61 Biodiversity 16:40

There are many different forms of life on our planet, and the fact that our planet changes and yields changing species brings even more differences about! In this lesson we give a name to this "diversity of life" and discuss how such diversity is beneficial in the maintinence of an ecosystem. We will take a look at several biomes around the planet and identify the conditions that lead to an increase in biodiversity of a region.

62 Biodiversity Review 05:05

63 Taxonomy & Classification 15:13

All of the life that calls planet earth home holds a special spot in the puzzle of life. Scientists have and continue to organize ALL of this life into a tiered system - a branch of science known as "taxonomy"- and to do so is no simple task! In this lesson we will learn about the system by which organisms are classified based on their similarities to one another. In addition, we will discuss the system by which scientitists assign formal names to species based on their classification. Join me as we answer the questions you have about the puzzle of life on earth!

64 Taxonomy & Classification Review 02:18

Unit 5 - Matter & Energy

65 Matter and Energy Intro 14:36

Life on Earth wouldn't be possible without it's non-living counterpart: matter! In this lesson we begin to transition into the world of physical science as we prepare to study chemistry and physics. This lesson will introduce two major concepts that we will dive deeper into over the course of this unit: Matter and Energy. What is matter and in what forms does it exist? What is energy and how is it transferred through matter? Answer these questions and more in this informative introductory lesson!

66 Matter and Energy Intro Review 04:00

67 Inside the Atom 21:11

We know of the atom as being the smallest possible unit of matter that exists, but is the atom itself made of anything? In fact it is and this is what today's lesson is all about! In this lesson you will learn about the structure and physical properties of atoms inluding the subatomic particles that together make them up. You will also learn how to write the models with which we represent atoms and their properties: Bohr models and Lewis Dot structures. We can learn a lot about an element and the way its atoms behave by analyzing their structure - join me as we explore the microscopic world inside the atom!

68 Inside the Atom Review 07:27

69 The Periodic Table 16:27

Scientists have built a tool that organizes more than 100 elements that are known to exist by their chemical and physical properties. This "puzzle" of a tool is known as the periodic table of elements and gives us a lot of insight into the similarities and differences between the elements that make up our planet! Having an understanding of how the periodic table is designed and organized can help us to better work with the elements that populate it. In this lesson we will take a closer look at this unique and important tool to better understand the many elements that make up the matter all around us!

70 The Periodic Table Review 02:34

71 Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids 16:20

All of the elements known to exist can be categorized as one of three things: a Metal, Nonmetal, or a Metalloid. These element classifications are based on a variety of chemical and physical factors that affect how the atom behaves on it's own and when it is around others! In this lesson we will explore the three categories of elements and identify the chemical and physical properties that characterize them. Then, we will practice identifying a few mystery substances using the observable properties they posess. Understanding the differences between these three types of elements can help us to better serve our bodies, colonize our planet, and grow our technology capabilities!

72 Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids Review 02:09

73 Chemical vs. Physical Changes 17:58

It is necessary that matter changes - necessary to keep our bodies alive through many chemical reactions known as metabolism, necessary to recycle important molecules around the planet such as water, and even necessary for the formation of new stars and worlds beyond our planet! Learn about the many ways matter can change and how these many ways fall into one of two general categories: physical and chemical. Then, apply your understanding of such changes to identify the types of changes occuring in everyday tasks such as cooking! This lesson is accompanied by a fun at-home lab!

74 Chemical vs. Physical Changes Review 05:16

75 Kinetic vs. Potential Energy 18:40

Energy is found all over our planet and exists in many different forms! While energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can most definitely be transferred and todays' lesson is all about how energy is transferred from one form to another - from potential to kinetic - and vice versa! Identify the difference between kinetic and potential energy and relate your understanding of these to the motion of a roller coaster in this exciting lesson!

76 Kinetic vs. Potential Energy Review 04:18

77 Forces and Motion 20:05

A Force - a push or a pull - causes objects to be set into motion. This lesson will analyze the types of motion that can be observed, predicted, and calculated by a given force that acts upon it! Learn about the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces and apply your understanding of these to everyday situations to explain how objects move. This lesson serves as a precursor to a further analysis of the motion of objects - Newton's three laws - and will set you up for success in learning about these laws in the following lessons!

78 Forces and Motion Review 02:43

79 Newton's 1st Law of Motion 17:03

Sir Isaac Newton, an english scientist and mathmetician, is famed for defining three "laws" of physics that help us to understand the world around us, and today we explore the first of these three laws! All objects - including you - have a natural resistance to change their motion (or lack thereof)! This is called "inertia" and it means that an object that is moving will tend to continue moving and an object at rest will remain at rest, UNLESS an outside force acts upon it. In this lesson we will look at the various ways that this law of inertia can explain the motion of objects given the unbalanced forces acting upon it!

80 Newton's 1st Law of Motion Review 03:22

81 Newton's 2nd Law of Motion 18:45

Force, Mass, and Acceleration - all things that are found in moving (and non-moving) objects! Sir Isaac Newton's 2nd law of motion analyzes the relationship between these three variables and can be used to explain and predict the motion of objects on our planet and beyond it. This lesson will teach you to work word problems related to Newton's 2nd Law in order to solve for each of the variables listed. You will also learn how to rearrange the equation that defines Newton's 2nd Law in order to solve for the missing variables. Join me as we strive to discover more about how things move on our planet!

82 Newton's 2nd Law of Motion Review 06:29

83 Newton's 3rd Law of Motion 14:41

You've probably heard the saying "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" - and you may have not realized the scientific nature of this statement! We can all identify a time in our lives that this principal has rung true, but in today's lesson we will apply the scientific meaning of this principal to describe the motion of objects around us. Newton's third law helps us to to explain a lot about our world and even helps us to learn beyond it by launching rockets into space! Join me as we dive into Newton's 3rd and final law of motion to gain a better understanding of the universe around us!

84 Newton's 3rd Law of Motion Review 02:36

Unit 6 - Earth's Forces

85 Inside Planet Earth 15:11

Earth is a unique planet in our solar system as well as in our universe! This is in large part due to the unique nature of it's composition - the materials, sizes, and temperatures of the layers found inside. In this lesson we will explore the major layers found within planet Earth and we will use this information to justify what we observe on the surface. You will leave this lesson with a better understanding of why our planet looks and acts the way it does from the inside out!

86 Inside Planet Earth Review 03:13

87 Plate Tectonic Theory 21:37

In this lesson we seek to explain various structures, land forms, natural disasters, and phenomena that we witness along the surface of our planet earth using the theory of plate tectonics. We will discuss how the movement of the mantle beneath the surface of the earth causes changes in the "continental puzzle" and how this has been hypothesized to change over time. We will look at evidence of the supercontinent "Pangaea" that scientists believe once existed and will learn about the ever-puzzling "ring of fire" that surrounds the pacific plate!

88 Plate Tectonics Review 04:35

89 Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition 17:15

Have you ever wondered how the Grand Canyon was formed? Or why the river that once ran near your house no longer meanders near you anymore? These instances and many more can be explained through three formative processes witnessed on the Earth's surface - Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition! In this lesson we explore each of these processes and analyze how these processes work together to change the shape of the land over time. This lesson is also complete with an at-home "skittles" lab to further explore the concepts of weathering, erosion, and deposition!

90 Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Review 02:34

91 Water on Earth 14:25

Do you wonder where your water comes from? Or perhaps why you are warned "not to drink the water" when you visit certain cities? The quality of a regions' water is dependent on its watershed and this lesson looks at the different ways that water "sheds" along the surface of our planet! We will discuss where our drinking water comes from, how aquifers make excellent underground water storage containers, and where the majority of Earth's freshwater can be found! This lesson is complete with an at-home watershed lab to simulate how surface water flows in a fun way!

92 Water on Earth Review 03:28

93 Weather Systems 17:03

Today you will feel like a meteorologist as you explore the causes of different weather patterns witnessed along the surface of our planet. We will discuss how air masses move as a result of energy transfer and how the movement of air masses causes both high and low pressure systems. You will analyze a radar map in order to apply your understanding of pressure systems and fronts - all of which are a result of the amazing energy supplier, the sun!

94 Weather Systems Review 03:47

95 Natural Disasters 11:07

The focus of today's lesson is all things natural disasters. We will discuss the cause of Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Floods, and Tsunami's. This lesson will tie the previous 3 lessons of Plate tectonics, watersheds, and weather systems into a nice bow as we sum up how the many forces found in and on our planet cause such events!

96 Natural Disasters Review 03:53

About This Course

Join me as we dive into the miracle of life on planet earth and explore how our physical planet fosters such life! Designed to align with 7th and/or 8th grade science cirriculum and based off the NGSS and TEKS (Texas Standards), this course will prepare students to tackle the more advanced and specific science courses they will experience in high school. Students will engage in thought provoking lessons designed to challenge their thinking of the planet and the possibilities that abound from our understanding of it. We will begin our learning journey by diving into the biological world, introducing the topics students are sure to revisit in high school biology. Students will identify what life is, how it exists, and how our planet fosters such life with elaborate ecosystems and recycling of nutrients & energy. In addition, students will explore what makes life unique and how genetics and heredity dictate the way life exists on the planet today. We will continue building our comprehensive understanding of the planet by addressing how molecules make up cells, practicing basic chemistry principals, and applying these principals to our ever-changing planet Earth. Students will then explore how our planet responds to these principals and supports the life that inhabits it. This comprehensive course will inspire those who take it to see the world through a new set of eyes, leaving students to appreciate the beauty of life and our planet with a hunger to learn more!

Target Audience

The target audience for this course is 7th and/or 8th grade students preparing for more advanced high school science coursework. This course is designed to align with 7th and 8th grade science cirriculum but also serves as an excellent precursor to high school biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Students will become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in any high school level science course!

Course Includes

Number of Lessons: 48 complete lessons

Number of Reviews: 48 reviews (one to accompany each lesson)

Total videos: 97 (Course Intro, Lessons, and Reviews)

Number of Units: 6 units (listed below)

Average Video Lesson Length: 17 minutes

Total Hours of Video Lessons: ~14 hours

Average Review Lesson Length: 4.5 minutes

Total Hours of Review Lessons: ~3.5 hours

Quizzes ("Tests"): 48 (one for each lesson)

Test answer sheets: 48 (compiled into one document)

Average Quiz Size: 3 questions

Each Lesson Includes:

Video Lesson comprised of an in-person introduction followed by an interactive explanatory video with colors, drawings, diagrams, and photos to make things interesting, fun, and easy-to-follow! Video lessons range between 12 and 22 minutes long, with most falling around 15-18 minutes in length.

Practice Exercise or Activity - These range from application worksheets to research activities, inquiry projects, text analysis, and even a few at-home labs! Some lessons are equipped with more than one exploratory activity. Labs and activities can be found embedded in the corresponding lesson, NOT on the resources tab, in an effort to keep the course flow.

Review Video in which the exercise/activity is reviewed and answer keys are discussed. Answer keys are embedded into each review video following each lesson. Review videos range between 2 and 10 minutes long, with most falling around 4 minutes in length.

Short Quiz to summarize and confirm comprehension of the concept learned.

Units of Study

1. Unit 1: Communicating Science - In this unit, students will learn how to effectively study, analyze, and communicate science! To learn is one thing, but to communicate what you learn is a skill of it's own. Scientific literacy is paramount in a student's academic success for any science discipline and I make it my mission to ensure that students are equipped with such skills! Students will learn the scientific method, how to graph like a pro, best practices in communicating results, and what sort of exciting careers are waiting for them in the science world!

2. Unit 2: Energy in Ecosystems - In this unit, students will explore how energy is transferred through the living and non-living parts of the planet. We will explore the organization of life and how nutrients and energy flow through living ecosystems. We will analyze the interactions between species and take a look at the impact that certain populations have on others. This unit serves as a comprehensive study of ecology!

3. Unit 3: Cells -In this unit, students will dive into the microscopic world of the cell! We will begin by learning about the different types and complexitites of cells in general, followed by the organelles that fill them. We will focus on several cellular processes such as membrane transport, respiration and photosynthesis, gene expression, cell communication, cell specialization, cell division, and DNA replication. This unit serves as a wonderful precursor to high school biology and will leave students with a clear understanding of the microscopic world around us!

4. Unit 4: Genetics and Heredity - In this unit, students will explore the study of genetics and trait inheritance! We will learn to predict genetic outcome in offspring following Gregor Mendel's laws and students will leave hungry to know more about what makes their DNA so unique! We will learn to use tools such as punnett squares, pedigrees, and karyotypes to derive and communicate assumptions. This unit will also explore topics such as genetic disorders, natural selection, and biodiversity - another excellent precursor to high school biology!

5. Unit 5: Matter and Energy - This unit dives into both chemistry and physics! Students will learn about the structure of the atom and how to predict an atoms behavior by understanding its structure and placement on the periodic table. Students will learn the difference between chemical and physical changes, and will study each of Newton's 3 laws of motion. This unit aligns well with 8th grade science cirriculum for any state and will cover all the essentials of physics and chemistry needed prior to entering high school!

6. Earth's Forces - This unit ties it all together in a perfect bow with an analysis of how the materials and forces on the planet impact the planet's surface, motion, and many of the phenomena witnessed around us! We will take a look at Earth's composition, plate tectonic theory, weather, natural disasters, and more! An exciting end to an enlightening adventure through our planet, this unit leaves students eager to go out and explore the world around them!

Teacher: Kelsie
Areas of expertise: Life Science, Biology & Chemistry
Education: Kansas State University- Degree in Secondary Education with emphasis Biology & Chemistry
Interests: Cooking, Hiking, Boxing, Purebarre & working out, spending time with my family
Skills: Certified personal trainer & Cheer Coach
Associations: Certified Teacher in Texas, USA: Science 4-8 & Life Sciences 8-12. Additional Certifications: ESL EC-12 & Physical Education EC-12.
Issues I care about: Inspiring students to be lifelong learners!

My name is Kelsie Brown and I have been a teacher for 6 years. I began my career teaching high school biology and environmental science in Wichita, Kansas but have since been teaching in Fulshear, Texas. While in Texas I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science as well freshman Pre-AP Biology. I am so thankful to be able to share my passion for science and love for kids through this wonderful platform. The more I learn about science, the more miraculous the world around me becomes. I strive to spark the same realization in the students I teach - to leave them with wonder, curiosity, and in awe of the world around them! Join me as we dive into the beautiful workings of our world and the life that abounds it!

Digital Quizzes and Tests Answer Keys Document

Test Preparation Document

Course Outline

View the course breakdown by unit and lesson title.

Test Answer Keys

The answer keys to each lesson test can be found in this document.

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