In Unit 1, students read chapters of the text Patient Zero and explore two related questions that thread through the entire module. One question relates to the people who have sought to understand and manage epidemics: the scientists, curious individuals, and epidemiologists whom we refer to as “epidemic detectives.” What were these people’s mindsets and contributions, and how did they behave differently from those around them? The other question relates to what an epidemic is, in general, and what a medical or biological epidemic is, in particular. What characteristics did the large-scale disease outbreaks that we refer to as epidemics have in common, and how do they spread? Exploring these foundational questions about epidemics and the people who “fought” them provides the conceptual scaffolding and some of the terminology necessary for extending the study of medical epidemics to social epidemics in Unit 2.

Students will read three chapters from the anchor text, Patient Zero, examining examples of epidemics in the 17th century to the early 20th century. In the first half of the unit, students examine the wide variety of text features and structures incorporated in each chapter of Patient Zero, as well as how major sections contribute to the whole text and the development of ideas. Students will practice determining the meanings of words and phrases, especially technical terms associated with epidemiology. In the second half of the unit, students focus more on the interactions among the individual epidemiologists or scientists, the events during the epidemics, and the ideas about disease at the time, as well as consider the mindsets, tools, and character traits that enabled the scientists to solve these medical mysteries. Students also practice determining the impact of word choice on meaning and tone.

Please note that students do not read about the COVID-19 pandemic in this unit; however, there are references to this pandemic in some of the chapters in Patient Zero. Students are given opportunities to share and discuss their experiences of epidemics.

Patient Zero contains references to sensitive topics such as disease and death as well as the conditions that contribute to disease. These issues must be carefully and sensitively discussed, particularly when making connections to the COVID-19 pandemic, to give students context as they read the story. Consider speaking with students and families in advance, especially those who may have sensitivity to topics discussed.

In this unit, students begin to read nonfiction texts at their level as they choose independent research reading texts. There are Independent Reading Sample Plans (see the Tools page: http://eled.org/tools) with ideas on how to launch independent reading. Students should complete 20 minutes of independent research reading for homework when they are not reading a chapter from the anchor text. Students should also continue independent research reading over weekends.

Smithsonian in the Classroom presents Building Up, Breaking Down. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students investigate how buildings weather. See what happens to a building once it has been erected. Students will look at similarities and differences among urban and rural settings. In an examination of the geology of buildings, they will also look at such things as rock fracture, chemical weathering, and pollution. In addition to detailed lesson plans, this amazing teaching resource comes complete with background information, vibrant visuals, and student handouts.

Students use their knowledge of tornadoes and damage. The students will work in groups to design a structure that will withstand and protect people from tornadoes. Each group will create a poster with the name of their engineering firm and a picture of their structure. Finally, each group will present their posters to the class.

What causes lightning and why are some places safer than others when it strikes? What causes lightning and why are some places safer than others when it strikes? This unit is designed to help students build a deeper understanding of atomic structure and atomic-scale force interactions through exploration of phenomena surrounding lightning and other static interactions. Students engage with stories and data about lightning and investigate a similar phenomenon in water droppers. They further investigate static interactions with various materials, including sticky tape, digging down to the subatomic level. Students apply these ideas back to lightning and further investigate force interactions, developing Coulomb’s law and ideas about polarization that can be applied to other phenomena. They identify electric fields as the source of the large energy transfers in lightning and explain lightning’s sudden behavior using ionization. They consider why structures made of certain materials provide protection from lightning and investigate why bodies of water, most of which contain dissolved salts, are particularly dangerous during storms. Finally, students develop a consensus model and transfer their understandings to the phenomena of airplane radomes and conducting gels used to simulate brains.

OpenSciEd content is highly rated in EdReports and is aligned to NGSS standards.

These pages are part of a site called "Evolution," that accompanies a textbook by the same name. Mark Ridley is the author, and in this section he discusses the evidence for evolution.

Students will review their knowledge of tension and focus on tensile loads and failure caused by them.

A narrated animation of the process of ovulation. This video shows a simulation of the path an egg takes from the fallopian tubes to the uterus. [1:28]

This chapter provides detailed information on solutions. Learn why solutions form, how different structures react in solutions, and about gaseous solutions in liquids. Also find a comprehensive review section.

Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further understand the effects that compression and tension forces have with respect to the strength of structures. Spaghetti cannot hold much tension or compression; therefore, it breaks very easily. Marshmallows handle compression well, but do not hold up to tension.

This site from the Nobel eMuseum allows you to read about the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin (1910-1994 CE), who was honored "For her determinations by X-ray techniques of the structures of important biochemical substances." This website is organized into the following sections: "Presentation Speech," "Biography," "Nobel Lecture," and "Other Resources."

Lesson plan with subsequent pages to use with the lesson. Images with landform word match up and additional work on earth modeling.

A collection of resources about tunnels that includes basic facts about tunnels, challenges faced by tunnel diggers, famous tunnels from around the world, and a lab that helps you understand the kinds of forces that keep tunnels from collapsing. Also includes links to recommended websites on related topics.

Principles of Macroeconomics 2e covers the scope and sequence of most introductory economics courses. The text includes many current examples, which are handled in a politically equitable way. The outcome is a balanced approach to the theory and application of economics concepts. The second edition has been thoroughly revised to increase clarity, update data and current event impacts, and incorporate the feedback from many reviewers and adopters. Changes made in Principles of Macroeconomics 2e are described in the preface and the transition guide to help instructors transition to the second edition. The first edition of Principles of Macroeconomics by OpenStax is available in web view here.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Identify the components of GDP on the demand side and on the supply side
Evaluate how economists measure gross domestic product (GDP)
Contrast and calculate GDP, net exports, and net national product

Over several days, students learn about composites, including carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, and their applications in modern life. This prepares students to be able to put data from an associated statistical analysis activity into context as they conduct meticulous statistical analyses to evaluate/determine the effectiveness of carbon fiber patches to repair steel. This lesson and its associated activity are suitable for use during the last six weeks of an AP Statistics course; see the topics and timing note for details. A PowerPoint® presentation and post-quiz are provided.

To introduce the two types of stress that materials undergo compression and tension students examine compressive and tensile forces and learn about bridges and skyscrapers. They construct their own building structure using marshmallows and spaghetti to see which structure can hold the most weight. In an associated literacy activity, students explore the psychological concepts of stress and stress management, and complete a writing activity.

This site provides information on carbohydrate metabolism regulation through a quiz set-up. Answer each question, and the correct answers will be presented, complete with a full tutorial.