GRADE 8 SCIENCE CURRICULUM

SCIENCE PROCESSES

Inquiry Process

Students Will:

Design and conduct scientific investigations

Construct graphs and charts from data and observations.

Generate scientific questions based on observations, investigations and research.

Inquiry Analysis and Communication

Students Will:

Analyze information from data tables and graphs to answer scientific questions.

Draw conclusions from sets of data from multiple trials of a scientific investigation to draw conclusions.

Reflection and Social Implications

Students Will:

Identify the need for evidence in making scientific decisions.

Describe what science and technology can and cannot reasonably contribute to society.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Properties of Elements

Acids and Bases

Students Will:

Identify properties of common families of elements.

Analyze the properties of common elements in terms of reactivity and conductivity.

Metals and Non Metals

Students Will:

Identify properties of common families of elements.

Analyze the properties of common elements in terms of reactivity and conductivity.

Force---Motion and Work

Students Will:

Describe/Compare the motions of common objects in terms of speed and direction.

Design strategies for moving objects by application of forces.

Identify the basic forces in everyday interactions.

Recognize Newton’s Laws of Motion and understand how they apply to real-life situations.

Simple Machines

Students Will:

Identify and use simple machines.

Describe how simple machines change the effort force to do work.

LIFE SCIENCE

Invertebrates and Vertebrates

Students Will:

Compare/Contrast organisms into major groups on the basis of structure and function.

Analyze how parts of living things are adapted to carry out specific functions.

Human Body

Students Will:

Identify the systems involved in vital functions such as digestion, circulation, respiration, movement, control and coordination.

Explain the various levels of organization in relationship of structure and function within an organism, including cells, tissues, and organs.

Disease and Immunity

Students Will:

Describe the structure and properties of viruses and bacteria.

Describe the different types of diseases.

Explain how antibiotics are used to fight disease.

EARTH SCIENCE

Inland Waters

Students Will:

Explain the behavior of waters in the geosphere.

Compare/Contrast surface water systems in regard to their relative sizes as Earth’s freshwater reservoirs and the dynamics of water movement.

Oceanography

Students Will:

Describe the major causes for the ocean’s surface and deep water currents, including the prevailing winds, Coriolis Effect, unequal heating of the Earth, and changes in water temperature and salinity.

Distinguish between the different ocean zones and recognize organisms adapted to life in each zone.

Describe the major features of the ocean floor, including trenches, mid-ocean ridges, seamounts and plains.

Pollution: Air and Water

Students Will:

Explain how human behavior affects the basic processes of natural ecosystems and the quality of the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Explain ways in which humans have had a major impact on other species through land use and pollution.

Analyze ways that individuals and society can reduce the effects of pollution.