Teaching Science

Review the grade level sections below and click on a topic link to launch a search that will find books (or videos).

Grade 7 Unit A:  Interactions and Ecosystems

To foster an understanding of ecosystems, this unit develops student awareness of ecosystem components and interactions, as well as natural cycles and processes of change.  Search by subject:

bog ecology and teaching
endangered species and extinction

Grade 7 Unit B:  Plants for Food and Fibre

Students develop an awareness of long-term sustainability needs and the practices and technologies developed to breed and maximize plant growth.  Search by subject:

plants and ecosystems

sustainability and teaching

Grade 7 Unit C:  Heat and Temperature

In learning about heat, students investigate sources and uses of heat energy and consider the impact of resource usage on our long-term ability to meet energy needs.  Search by subject:

energy conservation and teaching
energy conservation and activity program

Grade 7 Unit D:  Structures and Forces

Students examine different ways that structural components are configured, analyze forces involved, investigate resulting effects on structural strength and stability, examine past and present construction methods, and how science and technology link together in developing safe and efficient designs.  Search by subject:

buildings and teaching
structural engineering and safety

Grade 7 Unit E:  Planet Earth

Observation of landforms and materials that make up Earth's surface and study of the sample evidence known about Earth's interior to discover patterns in the nature and distribution of Earth's materials, and the kinds of changes that take place.  Search by subject:

rocks and minerals
mountains and teaching

Grade 8 Unit A:  Mix and Flow of Matter

Students learn that such diverse substances as air, natural gas, water and oil are fluids. In further investigations, they discover that the properties of individual fluids are important to their use, including such properties as density, buoyancy, viscosity and the fluid’s response to changes in temperature and pressure.  Search by subject:

matter and teaching
fluid dynamics

Grade 8 Unit B:  Cells and Systems

Students learn to interpret life at a variety of levels, from individual cells to complex organisms. To develop their understanding, students investigate ways that components of a living system work together and, through these studies, learn that healthy organisms function as balanced systems within a life-supporting environment.  Search by subject:

cells and teaching
health and environment

Grade 8 Unit C:  Light and Optical Systems

In learning about light, students investigate its interactions with different materials and interpret its behaviour using a geometric ray model. Students then use their understanding of light to interpret a variety of light-based technologies and envisage new technologies we may use in the future.  Search by subject:

light and teaching

light and optics

Grade 8 Unit D:  Mechanical Systems

Machines are used for many purposes in our daily lives when we need to transfer energy into motion or move materials in a controlled way. In learning about mechanical devices, students investigate how components are linked so that energy is transferred efficiently and desired functions are performed.  Search by subject:

mechanical systems
hydraulics and teaching

Grade 8 Unit E:  Fresh and Saltwater Systems

By exploring examples of aquatic systems, students come to appreciate the dynamic nature of these systems and learn about the interaction of landforms, sediments, water and climate.  Search by subject:

water management and teaching
ocean and effect and humans

Grade 9 Unit A:  Biological Diversity

In this unit, students learn that diversity is maintained through natural processes of sexual and asexual reproduction, though the survival of individual species—and variations within those species—may be influenced by ecological and human-caused factors.  Search by subject:

biological diversity
reproduction and teaching

Grade 9 Unit B:  Matter and Chemical Change

In this unit, students are introduced to the formal study of chemical substance through laboratory investigations and introductory studies of chemical theory. In the laboratory, students observe and compare chemical substances and, with guidance on safety, investigate the properties of materials and the ways they interact.  Search by subject:

elements and teaching
The Periodic Table of Elements

Grade 9 Unit C:  Environmental Chemistry

Through this unit, students become aware of human-produced chemical substances that enter and interact with environments, and they investigate potential impacts of different substances on the distribution and abundance of living things.  Search by subject:

hazardous chemicals
chemicals and environment

Grade 9 Unit D:  Electrical Principles and Technologies

Using a problem-solving approach, students create and modify circuits to meet a variety of needs. Students also develop skills for  evaluating technologies, by comparing alternative designs and by considering their efficiency, effectiveness and environmental impact.  Search by subject:

Circuits and activity programs
Cells and batteries 

Grade 9 Unit E:  Space Exploration

A study of space exploration provides an opportunity for students to examine how science and technology interact and to learn how one process augments the other. Search by subject:

space exploration
technology and space 

• Science Grades 7-9   This guide contains interactive activities and videos that can used with the Science curriculum from Grades 7-9.
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