← Elementary explorer · K–5 High school curriculum · 9–12 → Middle School Curriculum Explorer · Grades 6–8
See the path.Build understanding. Explore a suggested progression, find a useful next lesson, and make the thinking visible. For parents, homeschool families, tutors and teachers.
96 original mini-lessons3 grades8 subjects
A starter map of selected skills, with practice and answers. Science and social studies sequences are suggested; electives and local requirements vary.
Follow a question.Explain your thinking.
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
Plan a fair light comparison and separate a measured pattern from a conclusion.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-LS1-5 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.1 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: What Can Seedling Data Tell Us? Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
Build a model connecting cell parts with the needs of the whole cell.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-LS1-2 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.7 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: A Cell Works as a Team Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Connect a short scientific description to particle diagrams of a pure substance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-PS1-4 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.7 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: Draw What Warming Changes Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Model a branching water cycle and identify the drivers of movement.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-ESS2-4 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.7 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: Follow Water Along More Than One Path Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Use a top-view paper model to distinguish illumination from Earth-based appearance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-ESS1-1 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.7 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: Why the Moon’s Shape Seems to Change Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Compare competing designs with a clear decision rule and acknowledge tradeoffs.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation MS-ETS1-2 Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connection RST.6-8.7 Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage. Open lesson →: Which Shade Shelter Meets the Brief? A curriculum map. A place to start. These 96 original mini-lessons sample selected skills across grades 6–8. This is a starter curriculum map and lesson collection, not a complete year of daily instruction, every standard, or an accredited course.
Contributes to Common Core standard identifies a selected math or English skill. Grade-specific codes retain their actual grade. Science and social studies use a Supporting Common Core literacy connection only for the reading or writing activity described; this does not establish subject-content alignment.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectation describes a partial science connection to a grades 6–8 band expectation. A paper model or short data task does not fulfill the entire performance expectation. Each mapping explains its limits. Science and social studies grade placements are suggested; course sequences vary.
Visual arts, music and computing may be electives or rotations. Course availability and health/PE requirements vary. Where no verified subject-content mapping is recorded, the lesson states Subject-content alignment not yet verified . Any supporting Common Core activity is identified separately.
Use North Carolina’s Standard Course of Study ↗ for local planning. No NC alignment is claimed without a verified crosswalk. Standards are briefly paraphrased here; use each official source for its full wording.
Looking for the earlier middle school starter lessons with teacher video choices? Open that collection →