6–8 Science Lessons
Teach these free hands-on, interactive mini-lessons covering life science, physical science, and Earth and space science.
Grades: 6th - 8th Grade
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- Getting Started with Amplify Classroom
Seasons
Students manipulate online models of the Earth to better understand how the seasons are a product of the sun and Earth system. Students confront common misconceptions to refine their thinking and arrive at a better understanding of the seasons.
- 6th Grade: Sunlight in the Seasons
- 7th Grade: Distance from the Sun
- 8th Grade: Direct Sunlight and Earth’s Tilt
Energy in Motion
Students explore the concepts of energy in motion, speed, and collision; and create models, using materials typically found in a science classroom.
- 6th Grade: Kinetic Energy and Mass
- 7th Grade: Potential and Kinetic Energy
- 8th Grade: Newton’s Laws of Motion
Organisms and Ecosystems
Students explore the concept that living organisms have important roles in the survival of an ecosystem. Students create models and act out different organisms' interactions. New and improved lessons coming in October!
- 6th Grade: Energy Flow in an Ecosystem
- 7th Grade: Resource Availability
- 8th Grade: Changes in Ecosystems Affect Populations
Shaping Earth
Students explore the different factors that change Earth’s surface and how long that can take. They learn about time scale as they uncover how geologists and other scientists use clues to describe Earth’s distant past.
- 6th Grade: Geologic Timeline
- 7th Grade: Geologic Changes to Earth
- 8th Grade: Pangea
Heredity
Students use the Polypad interactive tool to explore how birds’ heredity is affected by several different factors. By gathering and inputting data, students observe the different physical traits that result from variations in bird heredity.
- 6th Grade: Behaviors and Structures Support Survival
- 7th Grade: Variety in Organisms
- 8th Grade: Predicting Genetic Variation
Vocabulary Games
Students practice using and making connections with vocabulary in Earth and space science through several digital vocabulary games.
- Middle School: Earth and the Universe Vocabulary Game
- Middle School: Geologic History of Earth Vocabulary Game
- Middle School: Weather Vocabulary Game
- Build Your Own Vocabulary Game: Spinner
- Build Your Own Vocabulary Game: Connections
- Build Your Own Vocabulary Game: Polygraph
Thermal Energy
Students manipulate mass, time and temperature when cooking a turkey to better understand thermal energy transfer.
- Turkey Toaster