Description

Instructor: Mary Anne Cheraz (Lessons By Design)

Semester Pricing: $280 per semester

($330 for Springs and Golden Valley) All Charters Accepted

Thursdays 1:15-2:15

Grade Level: 3rd-5th

Fall: Geology

Explore the wonders of the Earth! Fall semester only. Investigate the three basic types of rocks and a multitude of minerals. Examine samples and run tests to place minerals on Moh’s Hardness Scale. Learn about the dynamics and composition of the Earth including the layers within the Earth and its outside surface. Students will also learn about the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere of the Earth.

Students will receive weekly reading assignments for home. Optional written assignments are available for home use, although teacher will not be collecting homework. There are also multiple-choice quizzes available for purchase and download through the textbook company.

Class will be using 3rd edition (the latest) copies of the textbook. You should see ‘3rd Edition’ on the front cover. There are two different reading levels available in the 3rd edition which in content match very closely to one another. Students with a lower reading level can purchase the Elementary 3rd Edition (K- 4) reading level, while students with a higher reading level can purchase the middle school version (5th-8th) Strong 4th grade readers could handle the middle school book. See ISBN for each below:

I highly recommend finding used soft back versions as it will be much cheaper. These books are approved by all charters, which is why they are chosen. Try to find them used over the summer OR check them out from your charter used book libraries, if they have one. WE ARE ONLY USING THE STUDENT TEXT, not the lab book and not the teacher’s edition.

Focus on Elementary Geology, 3rd Edition, Rebecca W. Keller, PhD

ISBN 978-1-941181-39-3, Soft cover version
ISBN 978-1-941181-66-9, Hard cover version

OR for a more challenging reading level, but still directly aligned:

Focus on Middle School Geology, 3rd Edition, Rebecca W. Keller, PhD ISBN 978-1-941181-54-6 Soft cover version

Spring: Chemistry

Students will explore the wild side of science! To be unleashed in the classroom: hands-on very messy experimentation using safe household items such as simple soaps, bath supplies, and/or food items from the kitchen.

We will be following a basic recipe for success as follows:

Include equal parts: Matter, Phases of Matter, Heat Transfer, Convection, Pressure, and FUN!!! Stand back and watch the results! Overview of NEXT GEN SCIENCE 3rd-5th Standards covered.

Expectations: At home reading assignments along with optional paper and pencil activities for home.

Class will be using 3rd edition (the latest) copies of the textbook. There are two different reading levels available in the 3rd edition which match very closely to one another. Most students of this age level should use the Elementary 3rd Edition (K- 4). The

older book for Middle School (5-8th) is pretty challenging. I don’t know that students in this class will be up for the middle school book, even though the book is listed as 5-8. Ask to see a copy if you wish. See ISBN’s below.

I highly recommend finding used soft back versions as it will be much cheaper. These books are approved by all charters, which is why they are chosen. Try to find them used over the summer OR check them out from your charter used book libraries, if they have one. WE ARE ONLY USING THE STUDENT TEXT, not the lab book and not the teacher’s edition.

Focus on Elementary Chemistry, 3rd Edition, Rebecca W. Keller, PhD Softback ISBN:

ISBN : 978-1-941181-36-2 , softcover

ISBN : 978-1-941181-65-2 , hardcover