Topic: Astronomy The Earth and the Solar System Students will be able to: 8.1 Recognize that gravity is a force that pulls all things on and near the Earth toward the center of the earth. Gravity plays a major role in the formation of the planets, stars, and solar system and in determining their motions. 8.2 Describe lunar and solar eclipse the observed moon phases, and tides. Relate them to the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun. 8.3 Compare and contrast properties and conditions in the solar system (i.e. sun, planets, and moons) to those on Earth (i.e. Gravitational force, distance from the sun, speed, movement, temperature, and atmospheric conditions). 8.4 Compare and contrast properties and conditions in the solar system (i.e. sun, planets, and moons) to those on Earth (i.e. Gravitational force, distance from the sun, speed, movement, temperature, and atmospheric conditions). Topic: Chemistry and the Atom Properties of Matter Students will be able to: 8.5 Differentiate between weight and mass, recognizing that weight is the amount of gravitational pull on an object. 8.6 Differentiate between volume and mass. Define density . 8.7 Recognize that the measurement of volume and mass requires understanding of the sensitivity of measurement tools (e.g. rulers, graduated cylinders, balances) and knowledge and appropriate use of significant digits. 8.8 Explain and give examples of how mass is conserved in a closed system. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures 8.9 Recognize that there are more than 100 elements that combine in a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter. 8.10 Differentiate between an atom (the smallest unit of an element that maintains the characteristics of that element) and a molecule (the smallest unit of a compound that maintains the characteristics of that compound) 8.11 Give basic examples of elements and compounds. 8.12 Differentiate between mixtures and pure substance. 8.13 Recognize that a substance (element or compound) has a melting point and a boiling point, both of which are independent of the amount of the sample. 8.14 Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes. Heat Energy 8.15 Recognize that heat is a form of energy and that temperature changes result from adding or taking away heat from a system. 8.16 Explain the effect of heat on a particle through a description of what happens to particles during a change in phase. Topic: Ecosystem Reproduction and Heredity Students will be able to: 8.17 Recognize that every organism requires a set of instructios that specifies its traits. These instructions are stored in the organism’s chromosomes. Heredity is the passage of thse instruction from one generation to another. 8.18 Recognize that heridity information is. Evolution and Biodiversity 8.19 Give examples of ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of organisms. 8.20 Recognize that evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provides the basis of the theory of evolution. Living Things and Their Environment 8.21 Give examples of ways in which organisms interact and have different functions within an ecosystem that enable the ecosystem to survive. 8.22 Explain the roles and relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in the process of energy transfer in a food web. 8.23 Explain how dead plants and animals are broken down by other living organisms and how this process contributes to the system as a whole. 8.24 Recognize that producers (plants that contain chlorophyll) use the energy from sunlight to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water through a process called photosynthesis. This food can be used immediately, stored for later used, or used by other organism. Topic: Technology/Engineering Materials, Tools and Machines Students will be able to: 8.25 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines to solve problems. Engineering Design Students will be able to: 8.26 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process. 8.27 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem. Topic: Scientific Inquiry Use of Tools Students will be able to: 8.28 Use simple tools such as rulers, magnifiers, balances, thermometers, graduated cylinders, etc to observe and measure things carefully. Experimentation Students will be able to: 8.29 Design and conduct simple science experiments using appropriate equipment and measuring tools. Some questions may be posed by the student and some will be posed by the teacher. 8.30 Predict, observe, classify and record results clearly in journals or logs. 8.31 Communicate scientific procedures and explanations using presentations, charts, simple graphs, discussions and writing. 8.32 Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence. 8.33 Compare results and explanations with scientific knowledge. Discussion & Presentation Students will be able to… 8.34 Participate in formal and informal discussions in large and small groups, using agreed upon rules to conduct and facilitate them 8.35 Organize and present their thoughts in a logical manner 8.36 Support their ideas with evidence or details; expect and request the same of others 8.37 Actively listen, respond to, and build on ideas generated during discussions 8.38 Use the information to inform or change their perspectives 8.39 Ask for clarification when others’ responses are unclear 8.40 Summarize and evaluate what they have learned from the discussion 8.41 Evaluate the productivity of discussions using established criteria; make suggestions to improve the discussions 8.42 Give oral presentations, using established criteria to prepare, assess, and improve their presentations Composition Students will be able to… 8.43 Write frequently in response to readings, other presentations, and observations (e.g., summaries, questions, reactions, connections, predictions, reports). 8.44 Maintain a system for collecting, referring to, and sharing their thoughts, observations, writings, illustrations, and other work. 8.45 Write occasional, brief research reports to extend their knowledge beyond classroom presentations; include a clear focus and supporting details 8.46 Write, share, assess, and revise frequent responses to MCAS-like, open response (key) questions posed by the teacher |
