Science Essentials, Middle School Level

Science Essentials Middle School Level gives classroom teachers and science specialists a dynamic and progressive way to meet curriculum standards and competencies. Science Essentials are also available from Jossey-Bass publishers at the Elementary and High School Levels.

You’ll find the lessons and activities at each level actively engage students in learning about the natural and technological world in which we live by encouraging them to use their senses and intuitive abilities on the road to discovery. They were developed and tested by professional science teachers who sought to give students enjoyable learning experiences while preparing them for district and statewide proficiency exams. For easy use, the lesson and activities at the Middle School Level are printed on a big 8 ½” x 11” lay-flat format that folds flat for photocopying of over 165 student activity sheets, and are organized into four sections:

1. PHYSICAL SCIENCE: MOTION AND FORCES (22 Lessons)
2. CHEMISTRY (34 Lessons)
3. ASTRONOMY (16 Lessons)
4. BIOLOGY (12 Lessons)

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Credits xiii

PART I HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 1

Strategies 3

Introduction to the Five-Step Program 3

Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP World History Exam 4

Calendars for Preparing for Each of the Plans 6

Graphics Used in This Book 10

PART II AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AP WORLD HISTORY EXAMINATION 13

Background Information 15

Reasons for Taking the Advanced Placement Examination 16

What You Need to Know About the AP World History Examination 16

World History Diagnostic Test Section I 21

Answers and Explanations 31

Section II/Document-Based Question (DBQ) 39

Change-over-Time Question 43

Comparative Question 44

Comments on Possible Solutions to the Free Response Questions 45

PART III REVIEW OF WORLD HISTORY 49

Unit 1 Foundations (8000 B.C.E.--600 C.E.) 51 (51) The World History Environment and Periodization 51

Development of Agriculture and Technology 59

Structure of Early Civilizations 64

Rise of Classical Civilizations 71

Origins of World Belief Systems 83

Interactions in the Late Classical Period 91

Unit 1 Summary: Foundations (8000 B.C.E.--600 C.E.) 98

Timeline 98

Key Comparisons 99

Change/Continuity Chart 99

Unit 2 Period Two (600--1450) 102

The Rise and Spread of Islam 102

The Expansion of China 113

Changes in European Institutions 122

Interregional Trade and Exchange 130

Empires in the Americas 141

Unit 2 Summary: Period Two (600--1450) 148

Timeline 148

Key Comparisons 148

Change/Continuity Chart 149

Unit 3 Period Three (1450--1750) 151

Empires and Other Political Systems 151

Hemispheric Exchange 164

Systems of Slavery 170

Cultural and Intellectual Changes 175

Unit 3 Summary: Period Three (1450--1750) 181

Timeline 181

Key Comparisons 181

Change/Continuity Chart 181

Unit 4 Period Four (1750--1914) 183

The Industrial Revolution and Social Changes 183

Demographic and Environmental Developments 190

World Trade 195

Political Revolutions 201

Western Imperialism 211

Unit 4 Summary: Period Four (1750--1914) 219

Timeline 219

Key Comparisons 220

Change/Continuity Chart 220

Unit 5 Period Five (1914--Present) 222

World Wars and Depression 222

The Cold War and the Postwar Balance of Power 231

End of the Cold War and Nationalist Movements 241

Global Trade 245

Technological Developments 250

Social Changes 254

Demographic and Environmental Developments 260

Unit 5 Summary: Period Five (1914--Present) 266

Timeline 266

Key Comparisons 267

Change/Continuity Chart 267

PART IV TEST STRATEGIES 269

The Multiple-Choice Question 271

The Document-Based Question 273

The Change-over-Time Question 276

The Comparative Question 278

PART V PRACTICE TESTS 281

Practice Test One 285

Answers and Explanations 296

Practice Test Two 317

Answers and Explanations 327

APPENDIXES 347

Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms 349

Appendix 2: Bibliography 357

Appendix 3: Web sites 359

About the Author 361

Mark J. Handwerker, Ph.D. has taught science in the Los Angeles and Temecula Valley Unified School Districts. As a mentor and instructional support teacher, he has also trained scores of new teachers in the "art" of teaching science. Dr. Handwerker is the author/editor of articles in several scientific fields and the coauthor of an earth science textbook currently in use. Science Essentials Middle School Level gives classroom teachers and science specialists a dynamic and progressive way to meet curriculum standards and competencies. Science Essentials are also available from Jossey-Bass publishers at the elementary and high school levels.

You'll find the lessons and activities at each level actively engage students in learning about the natural and technological world in which we live by encouraging them to use their senses and intuitive abilities on the road to discovery. They were developed and tested by professional science teachers who sought to give students enjoyable learning experiences while preparing them for district and statewide proficiency exams.

For easy use, the lesson and activities at the Middle School Level are printed on a big 81/2" x 11" lay-flat format that folds flat for photocopying of over 165 student activity sheets, and are organized into four sections:

I. PHYSICAL SCIENCE: MOTION AND FORCES (22 Lessons)

II. CHEMISTRY (34 Lessons)

III. ASTRONOMY (16 Lessons)

IV. BIOLOGY (12 Lessons)

Each section offers detailed lessons with reproducible activity sheets for teaching basic concepts and skills in one main area of science at this level. Each lesson includes:

• The Basic Principle underlying the lesson and accompanying student activity
• The specific science Competency students will demonstrate
• A list of Materials needed to complete the activity
• An easy-to-follow, illustrated Procedure for presenting the lesson and accompanying student activity handout
• Observations & Analysis describing the desired results and answers to the student activity
• A two-page, illustrated Student Handout with step-by-step directions for carrying out the activity and recording observations and conclusions

The lessons in each section are followed by sample test items focusing on the concepts and skills emphasized in that section. These will help students prepare for the types of questions they will be asked in actual test situations and are followed by answer keys.

All three grade level volumes—elementary, middle school, and high school—give you stimulating and effective ways to help students master basic science content and prepare to demonstrate their knowledge at the particular level.

"As a first year science teacher, I found these ready-to-use lessons and activities a life saver. They spared me hours and hours of planning and preparation. I didn't have to 'reinvent the wheel'. I just rolled right into the fun of teaching."
—Jim Jackson, math and science teacher, Earl Stanley Gardner Middle School, Temecula Valley Unified School District

“As a first year science teacher, I found these ready-to-use lessons and activities a life saver. They spared me hours and hours of planning and preparation. I didn't have to 'reinvent the wheel'. I just rolled right into the fun of teaching."--Jim Jackson, math and science teacher, Earl Stanley Gardner Middle School, Temecula Valley Unified School District