Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Search Home
 
Print this page
 
Physical Science (ELL)
  

Physical Science – ELL

Recommended Prerequisite:  None

Grades Offered:  9 - 12

Credit:  ½ - 1

SDE Course Code:  3202

MNPS Course Code:  SCI6104

 

Course Description: 

In a sheltered classroom environment, students will study introductory chemistry and physics.  This course covers fundamental concepts such as: force, motion, interactions of matter, energy, structure and properties of matter.  Students learn the relationships between science and technology, and how science affects all life.  Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies and group activities should constitute a major portion of the learning experience. Conservation of matter and energy is an underlying theme throughout the course.  Physical Science will provide the knowledge, prerequisite skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision-making about matters of scientific and technological concern.  Students will be administered the Physical Science end-of-course test at the conclusion of this course.

 

Course of Study:

 

  • Properties of Matter
    • distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter
    • investigate how matter can be separated and identified
    • analyze physical characteristics of matter (e.g. melting point, boiling point, density, color, solubility, odor and flammability)
    • experiment with various substances to investigate pH, acidic, and basic properties
    • compare and contrast pure substances and mixtures
    • distinguish between elements and compounds
    • compare and contrast heterogeneous and homogeneous mixture

 

  • Structure of Matter
    • research and compare current and historical models of the atom
    • describe and provide examples for the Law of Conservation of Energy
    • build models to represent various atoms, including subatomic particles, electron configuration and valence electrons
    • explain various trends and properties  (e.g. family names, ionic charge, size, mass, type of matter, state of matter) of elements using the periodic table
    • compare and contrast covalent, ionic and metallic bonding
    • write formulas for common compounds and symbols for familiar elements

 

  • Interactions of Matter
    • writes chemical reactions identifying reactants and products
    • explains differences between chemical and physical changes in matter
    • uses the Law of Conservation of Mass to balance chemical equations
    • investigates chemical properties such as combustion, oxidation and acid-base reactions
    • writes and identifies the four types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, and double displacement)
    • compares and contrasts exothermic and endothermic reactions

 

  • Force and Motion

o       explain and predict the motion of objects using Newton’s Laws of Motion

o       explains the relationship between varying gravitational force to mass and distance

o       discusses the generation of power, work, and energy as they relate to living and non-living things

 

  • Energy
    • gives examples of energy conversions
    • identifies wave characteristics (e.g. trough, crest, amplitude, frequency)
    • solves problems involving wave speed, frequency and length
    • compares and contrasts transverse and longitudinal waves
    • compares and contrasts the characteristics of sound and light
    • explains the kinetic theory of motion
    • describes and cites examples of conduction, convection and radiation
    • investigates the relationship between electricity and magnetism
    • designs and creates series and parallel circuits
    • uses Ohm’s Law to calculate voltage, current and resistance
    • identifies products of nuclear decay
    • compares and contrasts nuclear fission and fusion

 

Standards: 

MNPS standards for Physical science can be accessed at: 
http://www.mnps.org/PageFactory.aspx?PageID=3353

State Physical science standards can be found at:  http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards2001/sci/cisciphysicalscience.htm  

 

Textbook:      

             Physical Science, 2001,AGS  (Special Populations -  3rd Gr. RL)

 

Concepts and Challenges: Physical Science, 4/e, 2003, Globe Fearon (Special Populations -6th gr. RL)

 

Science Spectrum: A Physical Approach; Holt, Rinehart and Winston (basal)

           

Recommended/Required Resources:

  • Laboratory facility with access to a source of water, electricity and natural gas for lab equipment; required
  • Access to computers that are web-accessible; required
  • Computer-based probe ware such as light sensors, motion detectors, temperature probes, pH meters, etc; recommended
  • Various types of lab equipment and apparatus for inquiry investigations; required
  • http://www.internet4classrooms.com/eoc_physci.htm