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The A+LS Science curriculum is a comprehensive, completely integrated science curriculum for grade levels 1-12. A sequence of nine titles provides for an extensive, integrated solution that is fully correlated to major mastery standards and leading, adopted textbooks.
The Science titles deliver knowledge in Science Skills utilizing a four-step approach: Study, Practice, Test, and Essay modules are utilized to define the instructional environment. The Study module provides a text- and graphics-based delivery of knowledge. In this module, pictures and diagrams are utilized to present and reinforce important concepts. Each of the lessons in the Study modules contain a wealth of content and graphic support. The graphic images all magnify to full screen size to concisely present and reinforce these concepts. The Practice module provides the student an opportunity, in a non-scored and non-graded environment, to practice skills acquired through studying. Engaging, interactive feedback prompts the student to right answers when wrong answers to questions are entered, and the student has instant access to the Study material for reference. All questions in the Practice module are drawn from a bank of approximately 30 questions through an algorithm which randomizes question selection to prevent duplication. In the Test module, the student takes a scored examination, the results of which are recorded in the A+LS Management System. Upon completion of the Test, the student electronically "turns in" their test and may instantly see test results and the correct answers to questions missed. Questions can be in "multiple-choice" or "fill-in-the-blank" format. The Essay module allows the student to compose individual, free-form answers to a wide variety of questions and problems.
| LESSON # | LESSON TITLE | LESSON CONTENT |
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Intro to Earth Science | Introduction to earth and space themes, identification of terms associated with course, overview of careers associated with earth and space science |
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Skills Development 1 | Using diagrams, charts, and tables to display information, comparison of uses of pie charts, line charts, bar graphs, etc. |
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Skills Development 2 | Measurement of metric mass and length, area, and volume. |
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Earth Chemistry | Review of elements and their properties, atomic structure, and nuclear forces |
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Review 1 | Review of previous lessons |
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The Universe | History and structure of the universe, laws of matter in the universe, observations of events and phenomena in the universe |
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Galaxies & Stars | Examination of large distances, long time scales, the nature of nuclear reactions, identification of various galaxies and types of stars, star temperatures, white dwarfs, super-giants, novas, and black holes |
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The Sun | Origin of the sun, radio waves, ultra-violet, infrared, and gamma rays, sunspots, solar flares |
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Constellations | Identification and location of constellations, gravitation and expansion of constellations and the universe, energy produced by constellations |
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The Solar System | Identification of objects and events in the solar system, how the solar system has changed through billions of years, orbits, satellites, characteristics of various planets |
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The Planet Earth | Study of interactions among the earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and organisms, how natural occurrences such as earthquakes and volcanoes affect the surface of the earth, plate tectonics |
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The Earth’s Moon | Examination of the characteristics and cycles of the moon, the orbit of the moon, lunar features, how the moon affects the earth |
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The History of Flight | Origins of flights in Greek mythology, balloons, airships, dirigibles, zeppelins, and airplanes, warplanes, and modern air travel |
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History of Space Flight | Development of rockets, jet engines, Sputnik, the Mercury program, Gemini, Apollo programs, lunar landing programs, skylabs and crews of each |
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Review 2 | Review of the solar system, stars, planets, and flight |
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The Atmosphere | Characteristics of different atmospheric layers, heating and cooling of the atmosphere and oceans, convection within the atmosphere, wind and ocean currents |
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Formation of Winds 1 | Cloud cover, the rotation of the earth, static conditions and their effects on weather; weather terms, weather cycles |
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Formation of Winds 2 | Air currents, high and low pressure, global winds, Coriolis effect, doldrums, horse latitudes, trade winds, the jet stream, monsoons, weather satellites |
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Clouds & Fronts | Identification of various cloud types, weather symbols, warm fronts, cold fronts, occlusive fronts, and stationary fronts |
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Storms & Climate 1 | Weather predictions, thunderstorms, thunder, lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards |
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Storms & Climate 2 | Climatology, temperature, latitude, precipitation, oceans, altitude, mountain ranges, climate zones, world climates, climate in the United States |
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Review 3 | Review of atmosphere, winds, weather, storms, and climate |
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The Hydrosphere | The importance of water, forms of water, water as a requirement for life and in the development of civilizations, uses of water, the water cycle, water shortages, and water |
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The Oceans | Characteristics and conditions of oceans and salt water; life forms in the ocean; tides and currents; the ocean floor, features of the ocean floor, currents, location of the oceans of the world |
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Ocean Features | Oceanography, structure of ocean floors, the continental shelf, slope, rise, margin, and ocean basins, submarine life, seamounts, reefs, coral, ridges, guyots, abyssal plains, tides, upwelling, and wave features |
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Surface Water | Identification of characteristics and location of sources of fresh water on the earth; life forms found in fresh water; the water cycle and transfer of energy; glacier formation and movement, polar ice caps, life forms that are supported by the ice caps; movement and increase and decrease in size of glaciers and ice caps |
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Underground Water | Sources and locations of various underground water systems; the water table, connections between underground and surface water systems |
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Review 4 | Review of the hydrosphere, oceans, and other water |
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The Lithosphere | Identification and examination of layers of the earth, the conditions at each layer, mineral and fossil fuel sources; decay of radioactive isotopes and the production of energy, identification and location of various physical characteristics of the earth’s surface; how the surface of the earth has changed through time; heating and cooling of the earth’s surface |
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Plate Tectonics | Identification of plates and plate types, identification of various plate movement and how they affect the surface of the earth and the oceans |
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Mountains | Definition of topography; measurement of various features of the earth, rock sequences and formation; soil types and formation, identification and location of various mountain ranges of the United States and the world |
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Volcanoes | Examination of volcano types, formations, types of eruptions, elements of volcanic eruptions; predicting volcano activity; effects of volcanic activity on the atmosphere |
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Rocks & Minerals | Rock types, characteristics, formation, systems for dating; rocks and soil; fossils; using radioactive isotopes to measure time, identification of minerals, characteristics of minerals, mineral resources and their uses; measuring minerals |
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Weathering & Erosion | Examination of the effects of geochemical cycles on the surface of the earth; the ice ages; extinction of various species, soil types and characteristics; soil movement; soil composition; elements of soil; examination of time and space dimensions and concepts; measuring large lengths of time; identification of various global ages |
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Fossils & Dinosaurs | Fossil formation and uses; sources of fossil fuels; using fossils to correlate sequences of geologic time, Examination of animal and plant life in the early ages of the earth; correlation of physical features ; food sources, and causes of extinction |
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Energy | Renewable and non-renewable forms of energy; identification of various types of energy including thermal, solar, kinetic, fossil fuel, water power and wind energy; identification and location of natural resources of the earth, technology that allows for the most efficient use, reuse, and conservation of natural resources |
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Review 5 | Review of topography, rocks, and soil |
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Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive examination over entire course content |
