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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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Motion | Definition of motion, reference point, and distance; the distance formula; velocity, average speed, acceleration; mass, friction, force, and inertia |
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Energy | Descriptions of kinetic and potential energy, as well as other types of energy including heat energy, chemical and mechanical energy, electrical energy, radiation; definition of work; formula for work |
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Electricity | Explanation of electrical charges; static electricity; currents and circuits; series and parallel circuits; fuses, circuit breakers, |
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Matter | Identification of states of matter including solid, liquid, gas, and plasma; sublimation, condensation; physical and chemical changes; viscosity; compounds |
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Atoms | Review of atoms, electrons, neutrons, and protons; models of the atom including the electron cloud and Bohr models; quarks, leptons; energy levels |
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Chemical Changes | Review of atoms and matter; introduction to physical and chemical changes; compounds; chemical reactions; ionic and covalent bonds |
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Cells and Cell Theory 1 | Invention of the microscope, identification of organisms and cell structure; cell functions, including osmosis and diffusion, the Cell Theory |
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Cells and Cell Theory 2 | Review of the Cell Theory; processes of plant and animal cells; photosynthesis, respiration, fermentation |
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Cells Mitosis | Explanation of three ways that cells divide; review of the process of mitosis, including interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase; how genetic traits are passed, DNA bonds |
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Organisms | Explanation of three methods of classification of organisms; explanation of the five kingdoms; steps in classification; binomial nomenclature |
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Water | Chemical definition of water, identification of oceans and ocean characteristics, organisms found in fresh water and sea water, water as it relates to life processes; the water cycle |
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Simple Forms of Life | Identification of bacteria, protozoa, algae, fungi, and viruses and how each organism functions; uses of bacteria; the phylum groups of protozoa |
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Human Body 1 | Review of the major systems of the human body and the function and interaction of each system, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, reproductive, excretive, and digestive systems |
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Human Body 2 | Emphasis on the respiratory system of the human body, the function of the lungs, blood, trachea, bronchial tubes, alveoli; the process of inhaling and exhaling and the exchange of gases |
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Green Plants 1 | Vascular plants; xylem and phloem; root systems; herbaceous and woody stems; non-vascular plants |
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Green Plants 2 | Explanation of the process of photosynthesis and plant respiration; transpiration; how plants use food to create energy |
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Ecosystems | Ecology and ecosystems defined; how organisms interact; the biosphere; populations, communities, habitats; producers, consumers, and decomposers within a community |
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Biomes | Biotic and abiotic factors within a biome; the process of symbiosis; identification of seven major biomes and their climates, plants and animals that are associated with each biome and climate |
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The Atmosphere 1 | Winds, air pressure, instruments used to measure atmospheric conditions; anemometers, local and global winds; pressure gradients |
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The Atmosphere 2 | States of water, evaporation, transpiration, condensation; types of precipitation; relative humidity; chemical changes, terms associated with water in the atmosphere, explanation of the water cycle |
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Weather 1 | How air masses cause weather changes, terms and definitions associated with weather; continental and tropical polar and maritime air masses; prevailing winds, fronts, and cloud types |
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Weather 2 | Formation of tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms, instruments used to measure storm conditions; lightning, Doppler radar |
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Weathering | Definition and examples of weathering; how weathering occurs and the effects of weathering; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; intrusive and extrusive rocks; the rock cycle; exfoliation, hydration, oxidation |
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The Changing Earth 1 | Seismic waves, the seismograph; the Richter Scale, identification of layers of the lithosphere; volcano types and terms; the Ring of Fire Plate tectonics; identification of fault types, including slip-strike and reverse thrust; mid-ocean ridges; shearing, tension, and compression; focus and epicenter of earthquakes |
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The Changing Earth 2 | The theory of plate tectonics; Pangaea and explanation of continental drift; spreading of the sea floor; mid-ocean rifts and ridges; diverging plate boundaries; the subduction zone |
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The Changing Earth 3 | The earth’s rotation, the hemispheres, the coriolois effect; revolution; latitude and longitude; apparent solar time; the prime meridian; the international date line |
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The Earth’s Rotation | The orbit of the earth; aphelion and perihelion; the tilt of the earth; solstices and equinoxes; the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; the Arctic and Antarctic circles; auroras |
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The Earth’s Revolution | Explanation of the earth’s orbit, velocity, location in the solar system, the seasons, terms associated with earth rotation and revolution |
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Astronomy | Celestial phenomena, the celestial sphere; identification of various constellations and mythology that accompany each |
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The Moon | Conditions on the moon, including the surface and layers; the atmosphere; theories of how the moon was formed; phases of the moon; apogee and perigee; gravitational pull and tides |
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Safety | Tips for maintaining safety in the laboratory; identification of symbols that indicate various types of dangers or alerts in the laboratory |
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Science Skills | Review of scientific method and other skills useful in the study of science; deductive and inductive reasoning; controlled experiments |
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Science Fair Project 1 | Review of the scientific method; directions for creating a successful science fair exhibit; selecting a topic; forming a hypothesis; researching and analyzing data |
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Science Fair Project 2 | Review of tips for completing a science fair project; detailed discussion of research, preparation of bibliography, and presentation skills |
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Technology | Development and use of technology in science; robots; alloys; artificial skin; computer athletics; radio telescopes; technology uses in cleaning oil spills |
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Science Terms Review | Comprehensive review of the science terms included in all lessons |
