Welcome to the Science Department at South Middle!

6^th Grade - Earth Science

Course Description (Per the Georgia Department of Education): The middle school earth science course is designed to give all students an overview of common strands in earth science including, but not limited to, meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, resources, and human impact on the earth.  Sixth grade students observe and explain how an aspect of weather can affect a weather system.  They use different models to represent systems such as the solar system and the sun/moon/earth system.  They use what they observe about the earth’s materials to infer the processes and timelines that formed them.  Sixth graders write instructions, describe observations, keep and analyze the data they collect, and show information in graphical form.  When analyzing the data they collect, sixth graders can recognize relationships in simple charts and graphs and find more than one way to interpret their findings.  The students replicate investigations and compare results to find similarities and differences.

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Sixth-Grade-Georgia-Standards.pdf

6th Grade - Advanced Earth Science

Course Description:  Explore the depths of earth science in our Advanced Earth Sciences course for sixth graders. Building upon the Georgia Standards of Excellence, students delve into meteorology, geology, astronomy, and oceanography. Sixth grade students observe and explain how an aspect of weather can affect a weather system.  They use different models to represent systems such as the solar system and the sun/moon/earth system.  They use what they observe about the earth’s materials to infer the processes and timelines that formed them. Through hands-on activities and engaging discussions, students develop a deep understanding of our planet's processes. Emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving, this course fosters a profound appreciation for the natural world while equipping students with essential scientific skills.

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Sixth-Grade-Georgia-Standards.pdf

7th Grade - Life Science

Course Description (Per the Georgia Department of Education): The middle school life science course is designed to give students the necessary skills for a smooth transition from elementary life science standards to high school biology standards.  The purpose is to give all students an overview of common strands in life science including, but not limited to, diversity of living organisms, structure and function of cells, heredity, ecosystems, and biological evolution.  Students will develop the skill necessary to keep records of their observations and use those records to analyze the data they collect.  They observe and use observations to explain diversity of living organisms and how the organisms are classified.  They use different models to represent systems such as cells, tissues, and organs.  They use what they know about ecosystems to explain the cycling of matter and energy.  They use the concepts of natural selection and fossil evidence in explanations.  Seventh graders write instructions, describe observations, and show information in graphical form.  When analyzing the data they collect, seventh graders can recognize relationships in simple charts and graphs and find more than one way to interpret their findings.

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Seventh-Grade-Georgia-Standards.pdf

7th Grade - Advanced Life Science

Course Description: Explore the depths of life science in our Advanced Life Sciences course for seventh graders. Serving as a bridge between elementary and high school standards, this course delves into key strands including organism diversity, cellular structure, heredity, ecosystems, and evolution. Through engaging labs, interactive experiments, and collaborative projects, students deepen their understanding and hone their scientific reasoning skills. By course end, students are not only prepared for high school biology but also equipped with a profound appreciation for the living world as they design, create and engage in argumentation.

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Seventh-Grade-Georgia-Standards.pdf

8th Grade - Physical Science for High School Credit

Course Description (Per the Georgia Department of Education): The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science.  This course is designed as a survey course of chemistry and physics.  This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion and forces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior.  Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Physical-Science-Georgia-Standards.pdf

8th Grade - Advanced Physical Science for High School Credit

Course Description (Per the Georgia Department of Education): The Physical Science Georgia Standards of Excellence are designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8, and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science. The standards in this course are designed as a survey of the core ideas in the physical sciences. Those core ideas will be studied in more depth during the chemistry and physics courses. The physical science standards include abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms and the role they play in determining the properties of materials, motion and forces, the conservation of energy and matter, wave behavior, electricity, and the relationship between electricity and magnetism. The idea of radioactive decay is limited to the understanding of whole half-lives and how a constant proportional rate of decay is consistent with declining measures that only gradually approach to zero. Students investigate physical science concepts through the study of phenomena, experiences in laboratory settings, and field work. 

Standards: Course Standards can be found at  https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Physical-Science-Georgia-Standards.pdf