Interactive Science ©2011

Interactive Science © 2011 is a standards-based, next generation middle grades science program for Grades 6-8 that features an innovative write-in student edition that connects the Big Ideas of science to students' lives.

Interactive Science © 2012 features three instructional paths: text, inquiry, and digital. Focus on one path or blend all three together.

• The text path includes our innovative write-in student edition and the DK Big Ideas of Science Reference Library.

• The inquiry path features our hands-on labs and activities scaffolded for all learners.

•The digital path features our next generation, online learning environment where teachers can connect with students, manage their classes, and customize to their teaching style.

Interactive Science © 2011 utilizes the Understanding By Design (UbD) model to help students uncover answers to the Big Ideas of science. This model leads students to a deeper understanding of the science concepts. Grant Wiggins, creator of UbD, is one of the main program authors. Each lesson is also structured using the 5E Learning Cycle (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate).

There are twelve modules available for the program. These modules are grouped by the following strands:

The Nature of Science
Science and Technology

Earth Science
Earth's Structure, Earth's Surface, Water and Atmosphere, and Astronomy and Space Science

Life Science
Ecology and the Environment, Cells and Heredity, The Diversity of Life, and Human Body Systems

Physical Science
Introduction to Chemistry, Forces and Energy, and Sound and Light

The text path includes Pearson's innovative write-in student edition and the DK Big Ideas of Science Reference Library.

The write-in student edition is not a workbook but rather an interactive text. It provides students with a personal record of their learning experiences in science class. The program allows students to read, write, draw, graph, and self-assess all in one place.

Part of learning about science involves students exploring their own natural curiosities. The DK Big Ideas of Science Reference Library reinforces the unifying concepts of science and encourages student to dig deeper in their explorations of these Big Ideas.

Minds-on inquiry interactivities are provided in the write-in student edition, while hands-on inquiry activities are provided in the module's Teacher's Lab Resource. The yellow LabZone icons in the write-in student edition and the Teacher's Edition and Resource indicate hands-on activities.

The program includes a variety of hands-on inquiry activities. These activities range from teacher demonstrations to open-ended, student-directed activities. Activities include:

•Teacher Demonstrations
These teacher-led activities illustrate concepts or provide students with additional background information to prepare them for upcoming activities.

•Inquiry Warm-Ups
These short activities occur at the beginning of each lesson. Inquiry Warm-Ups are used to engage students and prepare them for the concepts that are covered in the lesson.

•Quick Labs
Quick Labs are short, simple hands-on activities that allow students to see a concept in action.

•Lab Investigations
There is an in-depth Lab Investigation available for each chapter. Each Lab Investigation has the following versions:

– Directed Inquiry
Directed Inquiry labs guide students step-by-step through the lab activity.

– Open-Ended Inquiry
Open-Ended labs allow students to ask their own questions and design their own processes.

•Virtual Labs
Virtual Labs provide students the opportunity to explore in a virtual laboratory environment. You may use these activities if you are pressed for time, or you may assign them for homework.

MyScienceOnline.com is the digital hub for Interactive Science © 2011. This starting point will direct you to the digital path that is housed on Pearson SuccessNet.

Visit the Interactive Science © 2011 section of myPearsonTraining.com and select the SuccessNet tab. Most of your setup questions will be answered in this section.

There are so many activities in the digital path, and it is almost impossible to complete all of them. Feel free to choose the most appropriate activities for your students. You may do this by selecting activities via the Search feature.

Most of the program's print components are available and editable online. You may locate these components by visiting the My Teacher Resources column on the left side of the Teacher Home page. They will be accessible from the Resources and Downloads section.