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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 | Definitions of acceleration, force, friction, gravity, the distance formula, weight, mass, standard international units, inertia, review of Newton’s laws of motion, terminal velocity |
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Energy | Review of radiant, potential, chemical, and mechanical energy; formulas for kinetic and potential energy; review of the law of conservation of energy |
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Machines | Review of simple machines; lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, inclined plane, and wedge; mechanical advantage, resistance |
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Waves | Definitions of wavelength, crest, trough, frequency, speed, and amplitude; transverse and longitudinal waves; the electromagnetic theory, the color spectrum, rays, sound waves, reflected and refracted waves and rays; the Doppler effect |
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Electricity | The relationship between electrical and magnetic energy; electromagnets, commutators, armature |
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Atoms | Electrons, protons, neutrons, electron cloud model; quarks, leptons, the energy ladder; atomic number and atomic mass; introduction to the periodic table |
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Chemical Reactions 1 | Energy levels; chemical bonds; ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds; electron dot diagrams; polyatomic ions |
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Chemical Reactions 2 | Endothermic and exothermic reactions; symbols used in chemical formulas; products and reactants; introduction to synthesis, decomposition, single-replacement and double-replacement reactions |
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Cells Mitosis | Review of DNA theory, the stages of mitosis; genes, DNA bonding |
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Cells Meiosis | Cell division, meiosis, chromosomes, reproduction; the process of synapses; parent and daughter cells; diploid and haploid cells |
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Traits | Mendel and the study of inherited traits; x and y chromosomes; dominant and recessive alleles; phenotypes Punnett squares |
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Simple Forms of Life | Functions and descriptions of algae, plankton, euglena, diatoms, fungi, yeasts, etc.; useful forms of molds; lichens |
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Organisms | Contributions of Aristotle and von Linne in classifying organisms; binomial nomenclature; three methods of classification |
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Human Body 1 | Review of the major systems of the body including the skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, immune, excretory, and endocrine systems |
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Human Body 2 | The immune system; the body’s lines of defense against disease; identification of lymphocytes; viruses, interferons; macrophages |
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Disease | Review of communicable and non-communicable diseases, AIDS and HIV, how it is spread; prevention and treatment of AIDS |
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Human Body 3 | Function of the muscular and skeletal systems; identification of bone parts and functions, cartilage; joint types and functions; flexors, extensors; ossification |
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Green Plants | Life process of plants; terms; herbaceous and woody stems; perennials and annuals; root systems and types; tropisms; dormancy |
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Biomes | The nine major biomes; definition of biomes; examples of aquatic biomes oceans, freshwater, and estuaries; the littoral, sub-littoral, phalagic, and photic, bathyal and abyssal zones |
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The Atmosphere 1 | Difference in heat and temperature; absolute zero; conduction, convection, and radiation; conductors and insulators; thermal energy; the greenhouse effect |
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The Atmosphere 2 | Prevailing winds, air pressure, convection cells; fronts; mercury and aneroid barometers; isobars; pressure gradients; the coriolis effect |
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The Atmosphere 3 | Fog, steam fog, the troposphere, transpiration, respiration; the hydrologic cycle; precipitation types and cloud types |
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Weathering | Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; magma, lava; extrusive and intrusive rocks; the rock cycle, physical and chemical weathering; oxidation and carbonization |
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The Changing Earth 1 | Seismic wave types; the Moho; the core, mantle, and crust of the earth; the lithosphere, cinder cone, shield cone and composite volcanoes, lateral eruptions; active volcano zones including the Ring of Fire |
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The Changing Earth 2 | Plate interaction and destruction, theory, and measurement, the seven tectonic plates, fault types, major faults in the earth, mid-ocean ridges and trenches; tension, compression, and shearing forces; the Richter scale |
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The Solar System | Studies of Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein; the laws of planetary motion; inertia, the nebular theory; the layers of the sun, sunspots, solar flares and solar prominences; solar winds, auroras |
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The Earth’s Revolution | The orbit of the earth, perihelion, aphelion, the equinoxes, equinoxes, velocity, location in the solar system, the seasons and the tilt of the earth |
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Astronomy | The celestial sphere, nuclear fusion, the constellations, zenith, azimuth, parallax, altitude; light years, astronomical units, and parsecs |
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Safety | Rules for safety in the laboratory, clean-up instructions, first aid measures, safety symbols in the laboratory and their meaning and importance |
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Science Skills | Review of the steps in the scientific method, inductive and deductive reasoning; pure and applied scientists |
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Science Fair Project 1 | Instructions and tips about effective presentations of science fair projects; developing a hypothesis, the importance of bibliography, etc. |
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Science Fair Project 2 | Review of instructions for developing a science fair project and specific help with topic selection and presentation. |
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Technology | Review of steps for a science fair project; examples of good projects; step-by-step instructions for a science fair project |
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Science Terms Review | Comprehensive review of science terms included in all lessons. |
