Simple Machines
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Program Overview
The Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science series is a comprehensive, activity-based, K-8 science curriculum made up of 42 stand-alone units, 18 of which are designed for grades 6-8. The series is constructed around 7 major themes: (1) systems and interactions, (2) scale and structure, (3) stability, (4) energy, (5) evolution, (6) patterns of change, and (7) models. The subject of each unit--for example, using energy--is presented from the perspective of one or more of these themes. One theme is designated as the "major theme" for a unit, and any others are treated as "related themes." For each unit, a wide range of materials, including some optional components, is available for students and teachers.
Student Edition
Recommended grade level:
7-8.
Using Energy contains 5 lessons in which students discover how thermal energy is produced and investigate the effect of thermal energy on matter, examine the relationship between thermal energy and other forms of energy, and discuss different types of energy resources. The organizing theme for this unit is energy (major theme).
Each of the 5 lessons in the unit typically requires 5 to 8 days for completion. During the unit students define thermal energy and develop an understanding of the relationship between thermal energy and temperature. They also learn the difference between temperature and heat; compare and contrast conduction, convection, and radiation; and learn about the main sources of thermal energy, their relationships, and how they occur. Students discuss the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and learn about the importance of energy conservation.
Sample activities include observing that objects become warmer with increasing motion, and experimenting with hot and cold water in plastic bags to discover that thermal energy moves from warmer objects to cooler objects. Other activities include designing and testing an insulated box made to slow the melting of an ice cube, observing that different materials conduct heat at different rates, constructing a solar collector and comparing how long the solar collector and a traditional heat source such as a hot plate take to heat water, and calculating daily energy consumption and its cost.
Each lesson contains narrative information and a series of sequential, hands-on activities--such as an introductory "minds-on" activity, short "try this" activities, and a longer "explore" activity. The latter, which is a lab activity, takes a class period to complete. Students use activity logs to record ideas, observations, and results.
Special unit features include curriculum links to language arts, literature, mathematics, music, and art; information about science careers; and narrative sections highlighting science, technology, and society connections.
Teacher's Planning Guide
This teacher's planning guide, a spiral-bound, wraparound edition, provides information and strategies for teaching the 5 lessons in the student edition. Each lesson is introduced by a 4-page section that offers background information, a lesson planning guide, and assessment options. Marginal notes on the lesson pages provide discussion ideas, tips on meeting individual needs, suggestions for addressing misconceptions, assessments ideas, and curriculum connections.
Program Resources and Support Materials
A wide range of materials, including some optional components, is available. Examples include consumable and nonconsumable activity materials; audio- and videotapes; interactive videodiscs; color transparencies; assessment materials; a teacher anthology of short stories, poems, fingerplays, and songs; trade books; teacher resource masters; activity cards; activity logs; concept summaries and glossaries for students acquiring English; and software with problem-solving simulations for students.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Change, constancy, and measurement.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Properties and changes of properties in matter; transfer of energy.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Understandings about science and technology.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Science and technology in society.
Prices:
Student edition (ISBN 0-02-276142-X), $7.06. Teacher's planning guide (ISBN 0-02-276090-3), $55.98. Unit package, $115.68. Activity materials kit, $86.00. (Contact publisher/supplier for complete price and ordering information.)
Publisher/supplier:
McGraw-Hill.
Materials:
Available locally, from commercial suppliers, or in kit.
