Science classes cover physics and chemistry following the North American Montessori Center's Matter and Energy curriculum for Upper Elementary (ages 9-12).
Topics Covered During for the School year 2013-2014
August-September
8/29 – Intro to Matter and Atomic Structure. 4-5 years assignment - Atomic Nomenclature. 6+ year assignment – Who is John Dolton?
9/5 – Atomic Structure, Elements and Intro to the Periodic Table, "Build an Element". 4-5 years assignment - Atomic Nomenclature. 6+ year assignment – What is the most rare and most common element in the universe?
9/9 – Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, "Build an Element (Continued)". Watched animation of size comparison, Zoomed out from a hydrogen nucleus to the universe. Pretty neat, check it out: Magnifying the Universe
9/12 – Molecules "In motion". 4-5 years assignment - Draw or make a 2D model of Sodium Chloride (salt) and label, 4th years - pick an element and write about it in your journals. 6+ year assignment – Draw or make a 3D model of Sodium Chloride (salt) and label, What is the temperature (F/C) of absolute zero?
9/16 – Year 6+: Molecular Bonds (covalent and ionic), build glucose molecule. Year 4&5 The States of Matter (Liquids), build glucose molecule. 6+ years assignment - Write a story about people/animals/things with characteristics of ionic and covalent bonds. 4&5 year assignment – write in your journals elements 1-5 and their symbol, memorize.
9/19 – Year 4&5: The States of Matter (Gases). Year 6+: Elements and their atomic properties card game, 4-5 years assignment - write in your journals elements 6-10 and their symbol, memorize.
9/23 - States of Matter - all start memorizing elements 1-5, 6+ assignment 3 gasses and colors as plasma, 4-5 assignment - Uses of plasma.
9/26 - States of Matter ( Solids) - memorizing elements 6-10, brass ball experiment.
9/30 - Air Pressure, upside down glass with water. memorizing elements 11-15 6+ assignment "Does Air Have Weight?" experiment.
October - November
10/3 - Water Pressure - pressure increases with depth. Tin can with holes experiment. memorizing elements 16-20.
10/7 Changes in Matter - Chemical and Physical Changes, Endothermic and exothermic reactions, Conservation of Matter. 6+ assignment - report on Antoine Lavoisier. memorizing elements 21-25
10/10 - Chemical and Physical Changes - Precipitates, Iodine Clock Experiment. memorizing elements 26-30
10/14 - No School
10/17 - Elements, Compounds and Mixtures - 4-5 assignment list 4 of each, 6+ assignment list 8 of each. memorizing elements 31-35
10/21 - Acids and Bases - Testing for pH, Carbon Dioxide and acidification of the ocean and it's effects. 4-5 assignment research how to make a homade acid-base indicator, 6+ assignment Report on industrial uses of acids and bases. memorizing elements 36-40.
10/24 - Density