Science Essentials, Middle School Level: Lessons and Activities for Test Preparation

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: PHYSICAL SCIENCE: MOTION AND FORCES (22 Lessons) CHEMISTRY (34 Lessons) ASTRONOMY (16 Lessons) BIOLOGY (12 Lessons)

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
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.