This course is the second in a two-course sequence. Middle School Comprehensive Science 2 is the second in a series of three consecutive middle school science classes. It builds on concepts introduced in the first course of the series, including the disciplines of life science, physical science, and earth-space science. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: Science (Comprehensive) A - 7th Grade
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- define the three main types of rock and apply rock characteristics to identify rock types;
- explore how the rock cycle creates new rock types from existing rock types and explain how Earth's surface is built up and torn down through the rock cycle;
- describe the characteristics of the molten layers of Earth explain the causes of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mountain formation, and ocean basins;
- explain the causes and effects of deforestation, desertification, and urbanization;
- analyze human impact on the Earth;
- describe the electromagnetic spectrum, properties of waves, and common uses for electromagnetic waves;
- recognize that light waves move in straight lines unless they travel into a transparent material, or medium, which may cause the light wave to bend;
- describe the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) and recognize that adding or removing heat may cause a change of state;
- recognize environmental changes that may impact the survival of a species and explain how a species' inability to adapt may contribute to its extinction;
- explore biotechnology as a larger field composed of cloning, genetic engineering, and artificial selection;
- explain that every organism requires a set of instructions that specifies its traits and explore the patterns of inheritance that outline these traits;
- explain how Punnett squares are used to determine genotypic and phenotypic probabilities;
- compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
Course Outline:
Module 04: Patterns of Change (Processes that Shape the Earth; Heat Flow Inside the Earth; Human Impact on the Earth)
Module 05: Energy Resources (Electromagnetic Spectrum; Properties of Light; Phases of Matter; Adaptation to the Environment)
Module 06: Heredity and Genetics (Biotechnology; Heredity; Patterns of Inheritance; Mitosis and Meiosis)
Segment Two Exam
Resources Included:Online lesson instruction and activities, opportunities to engage with a certified, online instructor and classmates, when appropriate, and online assessments to measure student performance of course objectives and readiness for subsequent academic pursuits.
Additional Costs: None
Scoring System: Michigan Virtual does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school mentor is also able to access this score within the Student Learning Portal. Schools may use this score for conversion to their own letter grading system.
Time Commitment: Semester sessions are 18-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1 or more hours per day in the course to be successful. Summer sessions are 10 weeks long: Students must be able to spend a minimum of 2 or more hours per day, or about 90 hours during the summer, for the student to be successful in any course. Trimester sessions are 12-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1.5 or more hours per day in the course to be successful.
Technology Requirements: Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.
Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/
Lightweight devices such as Apple iPads, Google Chromebooks, and tablets have limited support for Java or Flash which still appear in a small percentage of our catalog. While FLVS does not offer technical support for these devices, FLVS is working to remove Flash from their remaining course content. Students will need extra work-around steps or alternate browsers to engage with some portions of those courses. FLVS recommends students have a Windows or Mac based computer available to complete coursework in the event that your selected mobile device does not meet the needs of the course. Fully supported Operating Systems for FLVS courses include Windows (10 or higher) and MacOS (11 or higher). Supported Browsers include the most recent versions of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari on devices that support Java and HTML5. Browsers need to be up to date, and some FLVS courses may require installation or enabling of the following Plug-ins: JavaScript enabled, Cookies enabled, Java installed. https://www.flvs.net/student-parent-resources/more/system-requirements
Instructor Support System: For technical issues within your course, contact the Customer Care Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.
Instructor Contact Expectations: Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.
Academic Support Available: In addition to access to a highly qualified, Michigan certified teacher, students have access to academic videos and outside resources verified by Michigan Virtual. For technical issues within the course, students can contact the Michigan Virtual Customer Care by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.
Required Assessment: Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, instructor-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments.
Technical Skills Needed: Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to:
- Download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
- Download and install software
- Use a messaging service similar to email
- Communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
- Open attachments shared in messages
- Create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
- Edit file share settings in cloud-based applications, such as Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
- Save a file as a .pdf
- Copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
- Insert images or links into a file or html editor
- Search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
- Work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
- Activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
- Use presentation and graphics programs
- Follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
- Use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
- Create and maintain usernames and passwords
Additional Information: N/A