Middle School Resource

The Greenhouse Effect by PhET

This simulation will allow students to see how the Earth’s temperature changes due to the Greenhouse Effect. Students can select the level of atmospheric greenhouse gases during an ice age, in the year 1750, today, or at some time in the future. Just how do greenhouse gases change the climate?

Using the simulation, students will:

• Describe what happens to the temperature, sunlight, and infrared photons as you change the concentration of greenhouse gases.
• Explore the differences between the ice age and today.
• What happens when clouds are present?
• Explain why the temperature increases as the concentration of greenhouse gases increases.

Related NY State Academic Standards: S.MS.LS.2.5 and MST4.I.LE.7.2

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Middle School Resource

Regular Coke vs. Diet Coke: Which is Denser?

This lesson is designed as an introduction to a density unit. Using products that students encounter every day, you can demonstrate the concepts of density, volume, and mass. By the end of this lesson, students will understand that, although cans of Regular and Diet Coke have the same volume, Regular Coke is denser because of the sugar content.

Related NY State Academic Standards: S.MS.PS.1.7, MST4.I.PS3.1, MST4.C.C.PS3.1, and more!

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Middle School Resource

Classroom Idea- Clarifying with Grouping Symbols

Have students express the numbers 1 through 10 by combining 4’s with any mathematical operation. They must make sure they use the order of operations correctly and use parentheses when needed to show exceptions; for example, 5 = (4 x 4 + 4) / 4.

Encourage students to find a variety of solutions. Have them explain why their order of operation works.

Related NY State Academic Standards: 5.OA.3, 6.EE.1, MST3.5.PS.14 and more!

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Middle School Resource

Understanding Weather and Climate Patterns

This lesson will help students understand climate patterns in relation to different points in the United States. Students will choose or be assigned a location and use the internet to research climate patterns and predict climate for their specified location.

Related NY State Academic Standards: S.MS.ESS.2.2, S.MS.ESS.2.3, S.MS.ESS.2.6 and more!

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Middle School Resource

Power Writing – Writing to Inform

Students will be learning to use writing techniques to write an organized logical paragraph when “Writing to Inform.”

Related NY State Academic Standards: W.5.2, W.5.2.a, W.5.2.b and more!

Middle School Resource

Math in Everyday Life: Angles in Physical Therapy

Making the connection between real life and math in the classroom can be difficult. In this brief video, see how to make the connection. Students interview a physical therapist who tells them about the role of mathematics in his job. They examine his measurement tools and use a simple tool, called a goniometer, to measure angles of their own bodies. Students also find out about the academic background and working conditions of physical therapists.

Related NY State Academic Standards: CDOS.E.2.1.A, CDOS.E.3a.BS.1.A, CDOS.I.2.1.A and more!

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Middle School Resource

Bridges by Discovery Education

Students will understand the following:

-Bridges are categorized into three primary types: suspension, beam, and arch.

-Each is designed and built according to certain principles of engineering.

Related NY State Academic Standards: S.MS.PS.2.2, MST4.I.PS5.1, MST4.I.PS5.2 and more!

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Middle School Resource

Primary Sources and Personal Artifacts by Library of Congress

This lesson plan introduces the practice of using primary sources; where to find primary sources, what they are, how to examine them, and how to construct a context to tell more of the story.

Related NY State Academic Standards: SS.SSP.3.1.7, SS.SSP.4.1.7, SS.SSP.5.1.2 and more!

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Middle School Resource

Rosa Parks: My Story by ReadWorks

In a series of lessons, this unit explores a variety of literary concepts using the text “Rosa Parks: My Story.”

Related NY State Academic Standards: RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3 and more!

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Middle School Resource

African Drums and Culture

Students will identify and research several African drums.

Related NY State Academic Standards: NAS.MU.Pr4.2.5.c, NAS.MU.Pr4.2.6.c, NAS.MU.Pr4.2.7.c and more!

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