Intro to Physical Science: Lab Safety, Scientific Method & SI Units Unit | MS Physical Science

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This unit is included in the Physical Science Curriculum 5E Model.

Teach the scope of physical science, lab safety, the scientific method, and measurement with SI units using this comprehensive Intro to Physical Science Unit designed for middle school.

This complete unit includes lessons, notes, interactive notebooks, hands-on labs, quizzes, stations, task cards, word walls, QR codes, and assessments—everything you need for a zero-prep start to your physical science course.

Perfect for grades 6–9, this unit helps students build foundational skills in safety, measurement, inquiry, and scientific thinking before diving into physics and chemistry topics.

Aligned to NGSS Middle School Science (Science & Engineering Practices + PS core foundations) for inquiry, lab safety, and measurement.

⭐What’s Included

• PowerPoints for:
  • Scope of Physical Science
  • Science Lab Safety
  • Methods of Science & Technology
• Student Notes (print + digital)
• Interactive Notebook Activities
• Mini-Quizzes + Digital Assessments
• Teacher Demo: Eye Safety
• Guided Inquiry Lab: Measure with SI Units
• Science Stations (STEM Challenge Included)
• Task Cards (print + digital)
• Study Guide
• Final Chapter Assessment
• Word Wall in English & Spanish
• QR Codes giving students access to a free online textbook
• 9-day pacing guide
• Answer keys included for all components

⭐ Key Concepts Covered

• What physical science is (chemistry + physics foundations)
• Safety rules, symbols & proper lab practices
• Completing and understanding a lab safety contract
• Scientific method steps
• Variables, controls, hypotheses & data collection
• Using SI measurement tools: mass, volume, temperature, length
• Measurement accuracy, precision & error
• Technology vs science
• How scientists use models and data

⭐ Why Teachers Love This Unit

• Perfect first unit to establish routines and safety
• Hands-on SI measurement lab builds core scientific skills
• Clear visuals make safety and inquiry concepts easy to teach
• Word Wall (English + Spanish) supports vocabulary growth
• QR codes help students access background text instantly
• Zero prep — everything needed is included

⭐ Ideal For

• Middle School Physical Science
• First unit of the year
• Scientific method & safety week
• Measurement & lab skills practice
• NGSS SEP alignment
• Interactive notebook or station-heavy classrooms

⭐ Suggested Pacing Guide – Intro to Physical Science (9 Days)

Day 1: Teacher Demo – Eye Safety; Section 1 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 2: Section 1 Mini-Quiz; Section 2 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 3: Section 2 Mini-Quiz; Guided Inquiry Lab – Measure with SI Units
Day 4: Section 3 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 5: Section 3 Mini-Quiz; Science Stations
Day 6: Science Stations
Day 7: Creation Station Final Draft + Testing
Day 8: Task Cards + Study Guide
Day 9: Chapter Assessment

Copyright © NGS Magnified, LLC. All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón.  All NGS Magnified curriculum is creative property of Erica Colón and cannot be resold or distributed.  This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.