Grade 7 Physical Science ยท NGSS MS-PS1-4, MS-PS3-3, MS-PS3-4

Unit 3: Thermal Energy, Kinetic Particle Velocity & Calorimetry

A rigorous unit investigating molecular kinetic collisions, latent heat during phase changes, and closed-system thermodynamic equilibrium.

10-Day Instructional Sequence & WIDA Language Milestones
Days 1โ€“2 ๐Ÿ”ฌ Kinetic Molecular Theory

Particle velocity simulations, temperature definition, and nominalized nouns.

Days 3โ€“4 ๐ŸงŠ Phase Change Heating Curves

Graphing latent heat plateaus and explaining intermolecular bond disruption.

Days 5โ€“6 ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Calorimetry & Heat Transfer Lab

Measuring Joules of thermal transfer into water in insulated containers.

Days 7โ€“8 ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Thermal Insulator Design Challenge

Engineering insulated devices and constructing comparative evaluation arguments.

Days 9โ€“10 ๐Ÿ† Unit 3 WIDA 4.5 Performance Assessment

Integrated reading and writing CER report on thermal equilibrium.