8th Grade Science
1st Quarter Focus :
2nd Quarter Focus:
Vocabulary: volume, mass, weight, density, solubility, solute, solvent, solution, saturation, law of conservation of mass, molecule, heterogeneous mixture, homogeneous mixture, atom, nucleus, proton, electron, neutron, atomic number, ion, element, periodic table, group, period, pH, element, compound, substance, mixture, physical property, boiling point, melting point, temperature, chemical property
3rd Quarter Focus:
Vocabulary: planet, revolution, rotation, solstice, equinox, moon, moon phases, ellipse, tides, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, dwarf planet, asteroid, comet, astronomical unit, light-year, nebula, meteor, star, apparent, magnitude, luminosity, absolute, brightness, sunspot, solar flare, prominence, electromagnetic, spectrum, H-R diagram, galaxy, satellite
4th Quarter Focus:
Vocabulary: autotroph, heterotroph, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, biotic factor, abiotic factor, energy pyramid, food web, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle
Suggested Links and Resources
FLStudents.org
FLDOE Toolkits
Gizmos
PhetEd
Smithsonian
Study Jams
Science Buddies
WatchKnowLearn
NSF.Gov
Windows2Universe
USGS Education
NASA
ACS/ Middle School Chemistry
Apps for Success!
1st Quarter Focus :
- Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; processes of science include formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigation into those questions, collection of appropriate data, evaluation of the meaning of those data, and communication of this evaluation.
- Processes of science frequently do not correspond to traditional portrayals of "scientific method".
- Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.
- Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.
- Define a problem from the eighth grade curriculum using appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types, such as systemic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
- Design and conduct a study using repeated trials and replication.
- Use phrases such as "results support" or "fail to support" in science, understanding that science does not offer conclusive 'proof' of a knowledge claim.
- Explain how hypotheses are valuable if they lead to further investigations, even if they turn out not to be supported by the data.
- Analyze methods used to develop a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of science.
- Understand that scientific investigations involve the collection of relevant empirical evidence, the use of logical reasoning, and the application of imagination in devising hypotheses, predictions, explanations and models to make sense of collected evidence.
2nd Quarter Focus:
- All objects and substances in the world are made of matter. Matter has two fundamental properties: matter takes up space and matter has mass which gives it inertia.
- Objects and substances can be classified by their physical ans chemical properties. Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Weight, on the other hand, is the measure of force of attraction between an object and Earth.
- Explore the scientific theory of atoms by using models to explain the motion of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.
- Differentiate between weight and mass recognizing that weight is the amount of gravitational pull on an object and is distinct from, though proportional to mass.
- Explore and describe the densities of various materials through measurement of their mass and volume.
- Classify and compare substances on the basis of characteristic physical properties that can be demonstrated or measured for example, density, thermal or electrical conductivity, solubility, magnetic properties, melting and boiling points, and know that these properties are independent of the amount of the sample.
- Recognize that there are a finite number of elements and that their atoms combine in a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter.
- Recognize that elements are grouped in the periodic table according to similarities of their properties.
- Explore the scientific theory of atoms by recognizing that atoms are the smallest unit of an element and are composed of sub-atomic particles.
- Identify basic examples of and compare and classify properties of compounds, including acids, bases, and salts.
- Distinguish among mixtures and pure substances.
- Matter can undergo a variety of changes.
- When matter is changed physically, generally no changes occur in the structure of the atoms or molecules composing the matter.
- When matter changes chemically, a rearrangement of bonds between the atoms occurs. This results in new substances with new properties.
- Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass by demonstrating and concluding that mass is conserved when substances undergo physical and chemical changes.
- Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes.
- Investigate and describe how temperature influences chemical changes.
Vocabulary: volume, mass, weight, density, solubility, solute, solvent, solution, saturation, law of conservation of mass, molecule, heterogeneous mixture, homogeneous mixture, atom, nucleus, proton, electron, neutron, atomic number, ion, element, periodic table, group, period, pH, element, compound, substance, mixture, physical property, boiling point, melting point, temperature, chemical property
3rd Quarter Focus:
- The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind's need to explore continues to lead to development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.
- Recognize that there are enormous distances between objects in space and apply our knowledge of light and space travel to understand this distance.
- Recognize universe contains many billions of galaxies and each galaxy contains billions of stars.
- Distinguish the hierarchical relationships between planets and other astronomical bodies relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size and composition.
- Explore the Law of Universal Gravitation by explaining the role that gravity plays in the formation of planets, stars, and solar systems and in determining their motions.
- Describe and classify specific physical properties of stars: apparent magnitude, temperature, size, and luminosity.
- Create models of solar properties including: rotation, structure of the Sun, convection, sunspots, solar flares, and prominences.
- Compare and contrast properties of objects in Solar System including Sun, planets, and moon to those of Earth, such as gravitational force, distance from the Sun, speed, movement, temperature, and atmospheric conditions.
- Compare various historical models of the Solar System, including geocentric and heliocentric.
- Explain impact of objects on each other including: Sun on the Earth including seasons, gravitational attraction of the Moon on Earth, including phases, tides, and eclipses, and the relative position of each body.
- Assess how technology is essential to science for such purposes as access to outer space and other remote locations, sample collection, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information.
- Identify and compare characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum such as wavelength, frequency, use, and hazards and recognize its application to an understanding of planetary images and satellite photographs.
Vocabulary: planet, revolution, rotation, solstice, equinox, moon, moon phases, ellipse, tides, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, dwarf planet, asteroid, comet, astronomical unit, light-year, nebula, meteor, star, apparent, magnitude, luminosity, absolute, brightness, sunspot, solar flare, prominence, electromagnetic, spectrum, H-R diagram, galaxy, satellite
4th Quarter Focus:
- Living things all share basic needs for life.
- Living organisms acquire the energy they need for life processes through various metabolic pathways.
- Matter and energy are recycled through cycles such as the carbon cycle.
- Describe and investigate the process of photosynthesis, such as the roles of light, carbon dioxide, water and chlorophyll production of food release of oxygen.
- Describe and investigate how cellular respiration breaks down food to provide energy and releases carbon dioxide.
- Construct a scientific model of the carbon cycle to show how matter and energy are continuously transferred within and between organisms and their physical environment.
- Cite evidence that living systems follow the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy.
Vocabulary: autotroph, heterotroph, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, biotic factor, abiotic factor, energy pyramid, food web, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle
Suggested Links and Resources
FLStudents.org
FLDOE Toolkits
Gizmos
PhetEd
Smithsonian
Study Jams
Science Buddies
WatchKnowLearn
NSF.Gov
Windows2Universe
USGS Education
NASA
ACS/ Middle School Chemistry
Apps for Success!
iOs/Apple Devices:
Android Devices/Google Play:
Android Devices/Google Play: