Eighth Grade

Michele Garcia

Grades 5 – 8 Science Syllabus

Grade 8 Science (EARTH)

1.     Astronomy

·       Earth – Sun – Moon System

o   How do the sun and the moon affect the Earth?

·       Solar System and the Universe

o   What kind of data and evidence help us to understand the universe?

2.     Meteorology

·       Weather in the Atmosphere

o   What determines weather on Earth?

·       Climate

o   How have natural processes and human activities changed Earth’s climate?

3.     Geology

·       Minerals and Rocks in the Geosphere

o   What events form Earth's rocks?

·       Plate Tectonics

o   How do geological processes change Earth’s surface?

Grade 7 Science (LIFE)

1.     Cells and Classification of Living Things

·       The Cell System

o   How does the structure of cells determine their function?

·       Living Things in the Biosphere

o   How do scientists define and organize living things

·       Human Body Systems

o   How do systems interact in the human body?

2.     Heredity and Evolution

·       Reproduction and Growth

o   What factors influence the growth of organisms and their ability to reproduce?

·       Genes and Heredity

o   How do offspring receive traits from their parents

·       Natural Selection and Change Over Time

o   How do characteristics change over time?

3.     Living Things and the Environment

·       Ecosystems

o   How are matter and energy cycled in an ecosystem?

·       Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems

o   How do living and nonliving things affect one another?

Grade 6 Science (PHYSICAL)

1.     Matter

·       Introduction to Matter

o   How can we observe, measure and use matter?

·       Solids, Liquids, and Gases

o   What causes matter to change from one state to another?

2.     Energy

·       Introduction to Energy

o   How does energy cause change?

·       Thermal Energy

o   What happens when heat flows from one object to another?

3.     Chemistry

·       Atoms and the Periodic Table

o   How do atoms combine to form extended structures?

·       Chemical Reactions

o   How can you determine when a chemical reaction has occurred?

4.     Physics

·       Forces and Motion

o   How is the motion of an object affected by forces that act on it?

Grade 5 Science

1.     Physical Science

·       Properties of Matter

o   How do you describe properties of matter?

·       Changes in Matter

o   What evidence do we have that matter changes?

2.     Life Science

·       Energy and Food    

o   Where does food’s energy come from and how is food used?

·       Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

o   How can you model the interaction of living things in an ecosystem?

3.     Earth Science

·       Solar System

o   What is Earth’s place in space?

·       Patterns in Space

o   How do patterns change from day to day and season to season?

·       Human Impacts on Eatth’s Systems

o   How can we protect Earth’s resources and environments?

Grades are based on tests, quizzes, homework, classwork, labs, and projects.  Here is the breakdown:

Tests 20% - They will know at least a week before the test is given.

Labs 20% - Some are graded, some aren’t.  Any work not completed in class must be completed for homework.

Quizzes 20% - Usually based on vocabulary words.

Projects 20% - I try to do one at home project per trimester.  The rest are done in groups in the lab.

Homework 10% - Everyone starts off with 100%.  5 points is taken off for any homework not completed.

Classwork 10% - Usually consists of answering questions in the book.