Mrs. Meersman

I have a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Governors State University. I went back to school for my teaching certificate also from Governors State University. I am certified to teach Math and the Social Sciences.

What’s happening in Science and Social Studies this year?

I am excited to start a new school year.  This will be my fifth year teaching Science and Social Studies.  I’m an avid history buff and hope that my “love of all things history” will help me to instill a love of learning the subject to my students.  Science is very hands on and we spend time every week in the STEM Trailer.  I’m looking forward to continuing to enrich the Science curriculum here at Union.

Social Studies

This year in Social Studies we continue to work with Unit Plans to take a deeper dive into the different eras of United States History.  Students are learning to be Historians.  We will be reading from many sources throughout the year: primary and secondary sources, original works, and others.  We are trying to get a better understanding of the events and issues that faced the nation during these time.

6^th Grade

• Unit 1 – A New Government and Constitution
  Unit 2 – Our Changing Landscapes (Westward Expansion)
  Unit 3 – A Union Challenged ( The Civil War)

7th Grade

• Unit 1 – A Union Challenged (The Civil War)
• Unit 2 – Government Organizations – The Constitution
• Unit 3 – Immigration, Prosperity and Depression

8^th Grade

• Unit 1 – Dehumanization, Scapegoats, and Ghettos
  Unit 2 – Movement Protest and Change
• Unit 3 – Modern History

Science

In Science each year we study different aspects of Earth and Space Science, Physical Science and Life Science.  Study will include experiments, research, and projects to develop our understanding of the topics.

6th Grade

• Cells – Introduction and the Anatomy of Cells
• Ocean Currents
• Kinetic Energy
• Reproduction in Plants and Animals
• Sensory Receptors
• Inheritance and Genetic Variation

7th  Grade

• Competition in Ecosystems
• Structure of Matter
• Changes in Energy on the Molecular Level
• Relationships in Ecosystems
• Plate Tectonics
• Ecosystem Biodiversity

8th Grade

• Newton’s Third Law of Motion
• Potential Energy
• The Solar System
• Electric and Magnetic Forces
• Geologic History of Earth
• Natural Selection
• Introduction to Properties of Waves