Eighth Grade
Science
Instructor: Mrs. Shannon West
Phone: 572-2680
E-mail: swest@stcatherineofsiena.org
Grade: 8
Credit:
Prerequisite:
Description:
Eighth Grade Science will allow the individual student to identify, investigate, and explain the physical and natural principles of our environment. The course will include but not limited to the following topics: equipment identification and use, chemistry, heredity, electricity and magnetism, and geology. Eighth Grade Science prepares the students to view and appreciate science as an important part of their life.
Standards:
Upon completing the Eighth Grade Science course students should be able to:
Grading:
Students will be evaluated on class assignments and activities including but not limited to the following:
Course Content:
· Chapter 1 The World of Physical Science- Design and conduct experiments using the scientific method, use webquest to develop a measurement board game, use equipment to measure volume, mass, length, and temperature of various objects, answer open response questions about science safety. 4 weeks
· Chapter 2 The Properties of Matter, Chapter 3 State of Matter, & Chapter 4 Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures- Classify store-bought substances as an element, compound, or mixture based on their ingredient labels, develop methods of separating various mixtures into their components based on their physical properties.
3 weeks
Unit 4 The Atom (Physical Science)
· Chapter 11 Introduction to Atoms- study the development of the Atomic Theory, perform a webquest “atoms attack”. 1 week
Unit 5 Interactions of Matter (Physical Science)
· Chapter 13 Chemical Bonding & Chapter 14 Chemical Reactions- Draw ionic and covalent bonds, answer open response questions exhibiting knowledge of the bonding processes, and complete TYE DYE shirt activity. 1 week
Unit 5 Cont’d 1 week
Unit 2 Motion and Forces (Physical Science)
· Chapter 5 Matter in Motion- Measure and calculate speed of a moving object, create distance vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs and interpret those types of graphs, measure and calculate acceleration of inertia using lab equipment, reconstruct an accident scene using physics principles. 2 weeks
· Chapter 6 Forces in Motion- Predict and measure time required for an object to fall (egg drop), investigate action/reaction pairs (skateboard lab), investigate the laws of physics most often employed in amusement park thrill rides, create models of bridges, and test the structures to identify which one functions the best. 4 weeks
Unit 3 Work, Machines, and Energy (Physical Science)
· Chapter 9 Energy and Energy Resources & Chapter 10 Heat and Heat Technology- Investigate transfer of energy, design and conduct experiments to determine the rate of dispersion of food coloring dropped into water of different temperatures, produce reports describing the inquiry approach, observations, and explanations of effects of temperature on rates of dispersion, list forms of energy during different stages of transfer, answer an open response questions justifying knowledge of energy consumption.2 weeks
· Chapter 17 Introduction to Electricity & Chapter 18 Electromagnetism- Investigate electrical energy and conductivity through resistors, construct series and parallel circuits with resistors, investigate electromagnetic forces, produce electricity by thrusting one end of strong bar magnet through wire coils that have different numbers of turns, investigate alternative sources of energy. 4 weeks
Unit 7 Human Body Systems (Life Science)
· Chapter 26 Reproduction and Development- Make a model of a placental mammal’s uterus to see how well it protects a fetus, use graphs to determine the change in length of a developing fetus. 1 week
Unit 3 Heredity, Evolution, and Classification (Life
Science)
· Chapter 5 Heredity & Chapter 6 Genes and Gene Technology- Build a model of DNA out of simple materials, complete a lab on easy to observe human variations, use Punnett squares to demonstrate inheritance patterns and to help determine probability of inheritance, research human genetic disorders, create a family tree using photos of their family, research the Human Genome project, research Mendel and create a time line of his research, complete a lab to compare expected results observed using Punnett squares and how the principles of heredity are related to chance. 3 weeks
· Chapter 18 Interactions of Living Things- Investigate and illustrate a food web for organisms in your area, analyze the importance of the food web and how human activity disturbs the food web, design a food web by displaying the foods used to produce a typical pizza or typical evening meal. 1 week
· Chapter 19 Cycles in Nature- Analyze the most recent census data and calculate the population density of Ft. Thomas and compare it to other cities in Kentucky, design and carry out an investigation to determine if populations in a closed ecosystem change over time, complete owl pellet investigation designed to highlight predator/prey relationships. 1 week
· Chapter 20 The Earth’s Ecosystems- Design dioramas of the six major biomes using cooperative group learning, investigate and design a water ecosystem, visit Environmental Education Center(Field Trip) 2 weeks
· Chapter 21 Environmental Problems and Solutions- investigate pollution, conservation, and design recycling program. 2 ½ weeks
Unit 3 The Restless Earth (Earth Science)