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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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Matter and Atoms 1 | Definition and explanation of living and non-living matter, atoms, molecules, elements, protons, nucleus, neutrons, and the periodic table |
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Matter and Atoms 2 | The various states of matter and matter that changes its form; the concept of volume and molecules in matter |
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Compounds and Molecules | Definition and examples of mixtures, compounds, molecules, elements, and solutions |
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Electricity | Explanation of potential and kinetic energy, electrical energy, electrons and protons, electromagnets, electric current, amperes, voltage, conductors, insulators, alternating and direct current; Newton’s |
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Using Forces | Laws of inertia and gravitational forces, matches forces, newtons, joules, gravity, the effect of friction |
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Energy 1 | Energy as the ability to do work; sources of energy including batteries, wind, energy from steam, and fossil fuels, nuclear, thermal, geothermal, and solar energy; kinetic and chemical energy |
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Energy 2 | The various forms of energy; potential energy, kinetic energy, chemical energy; fuel; food as a source of energy; nuclear fission and nuclear fusion; radiation |
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Images and Refraction | Discussion of how light travels through objects; the iris, cornea, pupil, and retina of the human eye |
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Light Energy | Light and light rays, refracted and reflected light, concave and convex lenses; spectrums; translucent, transparent, and opaque surfaces |
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Cells | The cell theory, the parts of a cell, nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane, vacuoles, chloroplasts, chromosomes, viruses, protists, euglena, and paramecia, cell division and mitosis |
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Living Things 1 | Living and non-living things; metabolism; respiration, removal of waste, growth and reproduction; use of microscopic amoebas, protoplasm; cells, and life functions; oxidation |
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Living Things 2 | Identification of matter, biology as the science of life, cells as the building blocks of life, cell theory; species, parts of a flower, plant reproduction with seeds; pollination |
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Diseases | Communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, bacteria, antibiotics, acquired immune deficiency syndrome; inherited traits, disease; heredity |
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Brain and Nervous System | Identification of function of the central nervous system including the spinal cord, brain, cerebrum, association nerve cells, cerebellum, medulla, brain stem; the hypothalamus; motor nerve cells, reflexes |
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Living Things 3 | Asexual reproduction, amoebas, single cell organisms, DNA traits, sexual reproduction; chromosomes; the process of meiosis |
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Plant Growth | Definition and examples of stimuli, responses; tropisms; hormones, tendrils, and the environment |
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Environment 1 | Ecosystems, ecology, populations, community, succession, predators, prey, and people and environments |
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Environment 2 | The effects of pollution on carbon dioxide and clean air; acid rain, the greenhouse effect, thermal inversion; the ozone layer; pesticides |
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Scientists | Identification of important contributions by major astronomers, botanists, zoologists, geneticists, and chemists |
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Weather | Identification of various weather terms, layers of the atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere; weather and climate; greenhouse effect |
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Water in the Air | Relative humidity, barometers, and other measurement instruments |
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Erosion | Definition and examples of physical and chemical weathering; the erosion of rock and soil, pollution and acid rain |
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Minerals 1 | Identification of various types of minerals, fossil fuels, properties of minerals, rocks, gems, ore, dietary minerals; magma and crystals |
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Minerals 2 | Properties of minerals; luster, hardness, streak, density, crystal shape, cleavage, fracture; solubility, examples of minerals including fluorite; calcite, and jade |
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The Sun 1 | Profile of the sun and its properties; the comparison of the sun to other stars; solar flares, nuclear fusion; the sun as the center of the solar system |
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The Sun 2 | The relationship of the sun to the earth; the force of gravity , the layers of the sun, the photosphere; chromosphere; corona; solar activity; sunspots; solar winds |
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The Moon | Profile of the moon, phases, major identification points on the moon; effects of moon on earth |
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The Solar System 1 | The inner and outer planets; gravitational attraction, the effects of inertia; the orbits of planets; the ellipse; orbital velocity; aphelion; perihelion; the tilt of the earth’s axis |
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The Solar System 2 | Explanation of planetary years and days; descriptions of the nine planets and their location in the solar system |
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Beyond the Solar System | Identification of features of deep space, including quasars and black holes; galaxies, nebulae, the Milky Way, absolute magnitude; the properties of stars |
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Safety | Review of basic safety procedures, science laboratory rules; safety symbols |
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Science Skills | The steps of the scientific method; topic identification, hypothesis; development, conducting experiments; conclusions |
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Science Fair Project | How to complete a science fair project; use of the scientific method, the organization of the display board |
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Technology | Development and use of science and technology in daily life; laser discs, cd roms; modems, scanners, digital cameras, liquid crystal display |
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Science Terms Review | Comprehensive review of the science terms included in all lessons |
