1. GMS Science Curriculum Night 2010

2. GCISD Science Philosophy Vision of GCISD Science: Science instruction is interactive, engaging, thought-provoking, relevant and hands-on. Science concepts are socially constructed through problem solving, inquiry, reflection and discourse. Science Beliefs: Students learn science best through inquiry and constructivism. Science instruction leads to deep conceptual understandings. Real world connections solidify understanding of science concepts. Student interaction and processing are critical components of science instruction. Ongoing assessment and data guide daily science instruction. Discourse and reflection are more valuable than assigning and completing.

3. Levels of Study On-Level Science – covers all middle school TEKS prepares students for high school sciences. PreAP Science- covers all middle school TEKS and prepares students for AP high school sciences. Accelerated Science- covers all middle school TEKS plus IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) TEKS and prepares students for AP high school sciences.

4. Grade Level TEKS- On Level and Pre AP Strands of Study 6 th 7 th 8 th Total Science Investigations and Reasoning 13 39 Matter and Energy 96621 Forces, Motion and Energy 83314 Earth and Space 751426 Organisms and Environments 617427 Total TEKS 434440127

5. Grade Level TEKS - Accelerated Strands of Study 6 th 7 th 8 th Total Science Investigations and Reasoning 13 39 Matter and Energy 123033 Forces, Motion and Energy 0030 Earth and Space 927036 Organisms and Environments 274031 Total TEKS 504673169

6. Topics of Study- Science and PreAP Science 1 st – Science Processes and Chemistry 4 th – Weather and Ecology 2 nd – Physics5 th – Plate Tectonics and TAKS review 3 rd - Space6 th – TAKS review and Inquiry Project

7. Topics of Study- Accelerated Science 1 st – Science Processes; Matter & Energy 2 nd – Properties of Matter; Atoms & Periodic Table; Chemical Bonding 3 rd – Solutions; Nuclear Changes 4 th – Dimensional Analysis; Force & Motion 5 th – Work & Machines; Energy 6 th – Characteristics of Waves; Electricity

8. TAKS Talk- 6 th TEKS Questions

10. TAKS Talk- 7 th TEKS Questions

12. TAKS Talk- 8 th TEKS Questions

13. TAKS Talk- 8 th TEKS Question

14. Passing vs. Commended Met Standard (Passing) 33 questions out of 50 must be answered correctly. (66%) Commended Performance 44 questions out of 50 must be answered correctly. (88%)

15. So... How Can I Help My Child? Have your child teach you the lesson for each day Relate science to everyday happenings such as: Video games, cooking, TV shows Binders, planners

16. Helpful Science Websites Thinkfinity – www.thinkfinity.comwww.thinkfinity.com Gizmos – www.explorelearning.comwww.explorelearning.com Visual Dictionary - http://visual.merriam- webster.com/science.phphttp://visual.merriam- webster.com/science.php TAKS Released Items and practice tests- http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id=385 0&menu_id3=793