Middle School Physical Science Curriculum for Private Schools
Physics Complete – Middle School is a grades 6–8 physical science course for private and independent schools that have no district science framework. It covers motion and forces, from speed, velocity and acceleration to Newton's laws, friction, gravity and air resistance, and energy, from kinetic and potential energy to conduction, convection and radiation. It is a compact digital curriculum of 20+ resources, from $149.90, with instant access.
View the science course →Physics Complete – Middle School, from $149.90, is a focused physical science curriculum for grades 6–8 with 20+ resources. It teaches motion and forces, including distance, speed, velocity, acceleration, motion graphs, balanced and unbalanced forces, Newton's laws conceptually, friction, gravity and air resistance, and energy, including kinetic and potential energy, transformations, work and power, and heat transfer. Inquiry practices are described as NGSS-style. Private schools should confirm it fits their own requirements.
The curriculum
Physics Complete – Middle School, Grades 6–8
Start with the full curriculum. The other resources below are optional add-ons. Open any cover for the full contents and price.
Physics Complete – Ready-to-Use Curriculum for Middle School Physics
Physics Foundations Bundle | Measurement, Motion & Forces | 3 Complete Units | Grades 5–9
Physics Complete Curriculum Bundle | 15 Ready-to-Teach Units | Grades 5–12
Chemistry Complete – Ready-to-Use Curriculum for Middle School Chemistry
Teach-Life-Balance: The Complete Time-Saving Course for Teachers (incl. Planner, Guides & Templates)
The real problem
Physical science when one teacher covers every science
At small private schools, physical science often gets the least attention. The science teacher may be a biologist by training who feels confident with cells and less so with acceleration and motion graphs. Physical science then becomes a few demonstrations, a rocket launch and a worksheet on simple machines. Students reach high school without a solid grasp of the difference between speed and velocity, or why balanced forces do not mean nothing is happening. Physical science is also where math anxiety appears. Reading a motion graph or calculating speed scares some students, while others want to move faster. In a class of twelve that spread is very visible. Parents notice too, especially families aiming for competitive high schools with strong physics. Then there are practical limits: the school has some balls, ramps and stopwatches, maybe not much more. You need a physical science sequence that teaches concepts clearly, uses graphs and models alongside simple investigations, keeps the math manageable, and gives a non-specialist teacher enough structure to explain Newton's laws with confidence.
Why it fits
How it helps a small science department
The curriculum is compact and conceptual, which suits a teacher covering several sciences.
- Newton's laws are taught at a conceptual level, which a non-physics specialist can explain confidently.
- Motion graph lessons build data skills students need for high school physics.
- Friction, gravity and air resistance lessons work with simple materials you likely already have.
- Heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation connects physics to everyday experiences.
- Answer keys and slides support teachers outside their main science specialty.
- A compact set of 20+ resources fits a semester or a shared science rotation.
Getting started
Your first two weeks with it
A practical way for a small school to start physical science:
- Read the motion and forces unit firstGo through the lessons and answer keys yourself before teaching. Non-specialists especially benefit from seeing how the curriculum explains velocity and acceleration. Note questions as you read.
- Gather simple materialsCollect balls, ramps, stopwatches and measuring tapes. Many motion and friction investigations need little more, and nothing is supplied with the curriculum. Ask colleagues to lend items.
- Teach speed before velocityStart with distance and speed, then add direction to introduce velocity. The order builds confidence for students wary of math. Practice both with simple walking races.
- Draw a motion graph from real dataHave students time a rolling ball and graph the results. Turning their own measurements into a graph makes the concept stick. Compare graphs across groups.
- Plan where energy fitsOne option is motion and forces in the fall and energy in spring. Write that plan down so your head of school can see the sequence.
Which version
Choosing a version, and pairing sciences
The $149.90 version with 20+ resources covers middle school physical science. The $189.90 option includes Teach-Life-Balance as well: a digital course with a planner, guides and templates aimed at saving you time. Choose it if you are covering several sciences and planning time is tight, but it adds no physics content. Because physical science courses often include chemistry, combining this with Chemistry Complete – Middle School using TEACHMORE15 gives 15% off and covers matter, atoms and the periodic table alongside motion and energy.
Honest limits
What it does not do
It is compact, with 20+ resources, so a full-year physical science course will likely need chemistry or supplementary material. No lab equipment is included. The NGSS-style description refers to inquiry practices, not certified alignment. Your school should check it against its own science requirements and accreditation expectations. A second science teacher using the files means sending Teach Lessons a brief message first. Should it not suit your classes, a 7-day exchange for store credit of equal value is available, though not a cash refund.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is it NGSS-aligned or approved for accredited private schools?
Its inquiry practices are described as NGSS-style, but Teach Lessons does not claim alignment with NGSS or any state standards, and no accreditor has endorsed it. It is written for U.S. middle school classrooms. Compare it with your school's science requirements and confirm with your administration.
Is 20+ resources enough for a full year?
It covers motion, forces and energy, which suits a semester or part of a broader physical science course. For a full year, many schools pair it with chemistry. The Physics Foundations Bundle for grades 5–9 at $59.99 and the Physics Complete Curriculum Bundle at $129.99 may also appear as optional extras.
I am not a physics teacher. Can I teach this?
That is a common situation in small schools. Newton's laws, work and power are taught at a conceptual level, and slides and answer keys guide each lesson. Read each unit before teaching it and you will have a clear explanation ready. Reviewing it alongside the slides beforehand helps a lot.
How much math is involved?
Students work with distance, speed and motion graphs, which involve some calculation and graph reading. Differentiated worksheets help students who struggle with math while others work on more demanding tasks. Graphs come from simple measurements, such as timing a rolling ball, so the numbers stay concrete and manageable for most middle schoolers.
Do I need special equipment?
No special equipment is required, and none is supplied. Simple investigations on motion and friction work with everyday materials like balls, ramps and stopwatches. Diagrams and models cover the rest. If your school has more equipment, use it for extra investigations, but the course does not depend on it.
Can our school ask questions before purchasing?
Yes. Questions about school purchasing or about colleagues using the materials can be sent to Teach Lessons before buying. Say how many people will teach from it, and Teach Lessons will explain what the licence allows. After purchase, files arrive by email and stay in your account under Orders.
Teach motion, forces and energy with confidence
Check what the curriculum includes on the product page and pick the version that fits your science plan.
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