Teaching Middle School Science at Home
Middle school science is an important part of your child’s education and luckily, it can be a ton of fun too.
Whether it’s your favorite subject to teach your tweens or your least favorite, you’ll love these tips for making your science lessons incredibly engaging, curriculum that’s easy to use, and science topic ideas. We’re also sharing all kinds of cool science experiments that your child can do at home.
So, don’t be scared because middle school science is totally doable. It’s a lot like elementary science, but with more challenging topics. Keep reading to see how you can make the most of these important junior high years.
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Middle School Science
Science is a great subject for middle schoolers because it gives them a chance to use interactive activities, like experiments and labs, to help understand the world around them. It also teaches them how to think critically and solve problems.
Plus, science is a ton of fun!
With harder classes around the corner, now’s the time for kids to build their science knowledge and gain an appreciation of the subject if they don’t have one.
What Science is Taught in Middle School
Generally, middle school science curriculum includes topics in Earth science, life science, and physical science. It may also include some level of chemistry and physics, to get kids familiar with it before high school.
Some common themes usually covered in science classes during the middle school years include the
- scientific method
- properties of matter
- energy and its transformations
- ecosystems
- earthquakes, geology, volcanoes, and other earth science subjects
- the principles of physical science like velocity and distance
- biology topics such as cells, genetics, DNA and life cycles
- and more
However, as homeschoolers, don’t feel like you have to stick with what is commonly taught during these years. You actually have quite a bit of leeway with your studies.
If your tween is passionate about robotics, spend a semester learning about robotics. Interested in gardening? Dive deep into botany for a bit.
Just make sure that by the end of 8th grade, your teen is ready for high school science.
How to Teach Middle School Science
When it comes to teaching middle school science, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, hands-on learning is incredibly important at this age.
Students who do hands-on science activities, like this lava lamp science project, grasp how to apply the scientific method in the real world. They also learn how to ask questions, discover answers, and use data to ask new questions.
However, you can start requiring more critical thinking from your students by incorporating lab reports and other activities that encourage them to dive deeper into questions, analyze data, and draw their own conclusions.
Additionally, try to find ways to make the material relevant to your tweens’ lives. For example, if you’re teaching a unit on ecology, have them research local environmental issues and brainstorm steps they can take to make a difference.
When you make the material engaging and applicable to their everyday lives, you help them retain the information and develop a genuine interest in the subject matter.
Teaching the Scientific Method
Use this free resource to teach your tween about the scientific method and how to fill out a science notebook.
Middle School Science Curriculum
Here are some of our favorite curriculum choices for science. They’re all user friendly and will give your tweens a solid foundation in each subject, so they’re ready for high school science. Plus, they include a bunch of interesting hands-on activities, so it will be easy for you to make your lesson plans engaging.
If you are looking for a general science curriculum for your middle school homeschooler, this course should be at the top of your list.
Consider using BookShark’s science curriculum with your teen if you need a full physical science program. Kids will build simple machines, experiment with force, and see electrolysis in action with their physics, electromagnetism, and waves course.
Help tweens build a solid foundation in science with this online course from Student Success Skills.
When your teen is ready, you can make biology fun and easy by using Apologia’s homeschool biology curriculum.
Helpful Ideas for Teaching Middle School Science
If you’re stuck on how to get out of the textbook, check out some of these ideas for making science more interesting for tweens.
Add some science-based virtual field trips to your lesson plans.
Discover how to raise a science minded child.
Are you still teaching science all by yourself? If so, maybe it’s time to start a science co-op.
Use these helpful science tools to make middle school science exciting.
Take a trip to your local aquarium to bring science to life.
Engaging Science Activities
As I said, the best way to teach science to tweens is to make it as interactive as possible. To do that, you need to make sure your lessons are filled with fun, engaging activities.
Luckily, I’ve got you covered. Here are a ton of awesome science experiments and hands-on activities that your older kids will love.
Whether you’re studying chemistry, life science, physical science, or just want a fun project, you’ll find something you can easily do at home on this list.
Learning from Mistakes
It can be very powerful for kids to study inventors and their inventions as part of their science curriculum. We have electricity, phones, computers, and hundreds of other items thanks to these creative and committed individuals. What if we could encourage our kids to think more like inventors – to stretch their thinking and make mistakes? Here are some ideas for you.
Have some fun exploring these Ben Franklin inventions with your tweens.
Show your older kids the benefits of making mistakes through the lessons of Thomas Edison.
Kids will love learning about the science behind silly putty and how a mistake made it into a world famous toy.
Yummy science is sometimes the best science. Bake some chocolate chip cookies as part of a lesson on inventors and their mistakes.
Must-Have Resources for Middle School Science
- All-in-one experiment products like Snap Circuits, this chemistry kit, and this one with over 65 different activities will make science fun for kids and easy for you!
- Books full of fun activities like 50 STEM projects you can do at home and these physics experiments for kids.
Hopefully, you see that teaching middle school science doesn’t have to be too scary. Just use the ideas and resources found here to turn it into everyone’s favorite subject!
What’s your favorite tip for teaching science to tweens at home?
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