8^TH GRADE SCIENCE CURRICULUM

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Scientists describe matter as consisting of particles. This year students will concentrate their learning to the inquiry of particles. According to a definition, a particle is any small unit (of matter or energy) that, with others, forms a larger whole. So, students will look at particles according to their size, their behavior, and their interactions with each other or within a system.

The size of particles depends on the matter or energy being studied. Students will begin with the smallest particle called the atom. Due to the size of the atom, students will use their senses to make observations to draw inferences about these particles. Using models from various scientists, the atom will be developed with its behavior and interactions.

A particle becomes a larger unit when it begins to combine with other particles. These other particles may be identical to each other or they may be different. By looking at identical particles, students might think about elements or cells. With the combining of different particles, students might think about compounds or systems. Students will study the larger of these two particles, the compound.

The compound that the students will study is simple sugar, or glucose. Glucose is the compound that plants produce through the process of photosynthesis. Using the Sun’s energy, plants will combine different compounds to produce the glucose. One of the compounds that needed for this process is water.

Water has many distinguishable properties. One of these properties is its ability to dissolve many different substances. Because of this ability, water will take nutrients to different parts of an organism where the nutrients will be used to produce energy. This process, called respiration, involves the dissolved nutrients and oxygen reacting with each other to provide the energy. By studying this chemical reaction, students will explore how particles interact in a predictable manner.

The interaction of particles is predictable when students recognize specific patterns among the particles. Students will begin with the particle called an element. Physical properties will allow elements to be classified into three categories: metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Based on these physical properties, students will have a better understanding how the periodic table of elements was arranged and how the table aids in predicting interactions between particles.

The properties of an element will allow students to determine if a particular element can combine with other elements. If so, a new particle, or compound, will be formed. Comparisons can be made between an element and a compound by observing their physical and chemical changes. Students will make these comparisons by trying to break down these particles using heat, electrolysis, and acid. If a reaction occurs, they can be defended using the law of conservation of mass.

Physical changes in particles will occur when students explore the kinetic molecular theory of matter. This theory states that matter is in constant motion. This behavior of particles with motion is attributed to the amount of heat that is absorbed or released by the particles. Students can learn how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. A particular physical change that involves heat is the changing of states of matter. Using the water cycle, an understanding of our weather can be explained through the transfer of heat. Phenomenon, such as the greenhouse effect and global warning, can be related back to the transfer of heat.

The Sun’s light energy will be explored as light is considered both as a particle and as a wave. With students’ current understanding of particles, they will need to identify characteristics of waves and how they are able to transfer energy. This transfer of energy by light waves will be focused by using the visible light section of the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will inquire how light waves interact with matter through absorption, reflection, refraction, and transmission. Concentrating on a different type a wave, students will explore the energy of sound. They can change certain properties of a wave to produce different sounds which causes energy to be transferred.

Light and sound can be produced using electrical energy. This type of energy requires students to identify a subatomic particle called the electron. These subatomic particles behave in predictable ways to allow for electricity to flow from one device to another. This electromagnetic system will explain why electricity and magnetism must coexist. Students will understand that heat can be part of this system as well as other systems.

The method of conduction for transferring heat in a mechanical system can be explained with friction. Heat is the most recognized result when energy is transferred or transformed. However, students will recognize several energy transformations and apply these transformations to a more complex mechanical system. These systems, with students’ knowledge of simple machines, will aid in their understanding that energy is required to do work, and machines will make their work easier.

One of the more complex machines is the human body. This complex machine needs to obtain energy to live, to control the life processes, to form and repair body cells, and to make new life of the same kind. Making new life of the same kind will require the students to understand a very complex particle called DNA. This DNA which is found in cells allows us to reproduce into the individual we are.