Middle School Science Curriculum Standards Map (Grades 6-8)

Grade 6 Science Curriculum Units and Standards Alignment

The Grade $6$ science curriculum is partitioned into six primary instructional modules, each focused on specific Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Unit $6.1$, titled Light & Matter, is centered on standards PS4-2* and LS1-8. This is followed by Unit $6.2$, Thermal Energy, which encompasses a broader set of standards including PS1-4, PS3-3, PS3-4, PS3-5, PS4-2, and ETS1-4. The third module, Unit $6.3$, is Weather, Climate & Water Cycling, which addresses standards ESS2-4, ESS2-5, ESS2-6, and PS1-4*.

The curriculum continues with Unit $6.4$, Plate Tectonics & Rock Cycling, which is aligned with ESS1-4, ESS2-1, ESS2-2, and ESS2-3. Unit $6.5$, Natural Hazards, focuses on ESS3-2, PS4-3, ETS1-1, and ETS1-2. The final module for Grade $6$ is Unit $6.6$, Cells & Systems, which covers biological and system-level standards LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3, and LS1-8*.

Grade 7 Science Curriculum Units and Standards Alignment

The Grade $7$ science curriculum consists of six specialized units of study designed to deepen understanding of chemical and biological processes. Unit $7.1$, Chemical Reactions & Matter, incorporates standards PS1-1, PS1-2, PS1-5, and LS1-8. Unit $7.2$, Chemical Reactions & Energy, focuses on standard PS1-6 alongside engineering standards ETS1-2, ETS1-3, and ETS1-4. Unit $7.3$, Metabolic Reactions, is governed by standards LS1-3, LS1-5, LS1-7, PS1-1, and PS1-2.

Furthermore, Unit $7.4$, Matter Cycling & Photosynthesis, encompasses standards LS1-2, LS1-6, LS2-3, and PS1-3. Unit $7.5$, Ecosystem Dynamics & Biodiversity, is highly comprehensive, covering LS2-1, LS2-2, LS2-4, LS2-5, ESS3-3, and ETS1-1. The final unit for the academic year is Unit $7.6$, Earth's Resources & Human Impact, which aligns with ESS3-1, ESS3-3, ESS3-4, ESS3-5, and ETS1-2*.

Grade 8 Science Curriculum Units and Standards Alignment

The Grade $8$ curriculum represents the final tier of middle school science development and includes six investigative units. Unit $8.1$, Contact Forces, evaluates standards PS2-1, PS2-2, PS3-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-3, and LS1-8. Unit $8.2$, Sound Waves, is built upon standards PS4-1, PS4-2, and LS1-8*. Unit $8.3$, Forces at a Distance, explores physical interactions through standards PS2-3, PS2-5, and PS3-2.

The curriculum also features Unit $8.4$, Earth in Space, which links earth science with physics via standards ESS1-1, ESS1-2, ESS1-3, PS2-4, and PS4-2. Biological sciences are revisited in Unit $8.5$, Genetics, which includes standards LS1-2, LS1-4, LS1-5, LS3-1, LS3-2, and LS4-5. The final instructional segment, Unit $8.6$, is Natural Selection & Common Ancestry, covering standards LS1-4*, LS4-1, LS4-2, LS4-3, LS4-4, and LS4-6.

Curriculum Map Revision History

This comprehensive mapping of science units and their corresponding standards for Grades $6$, $7$, and $8$ was most recently updated on the date of $1/23/2022$. The document serves as an exhaustive reference for the alignment of pedagogical content within the Middle School science program.