8th Grade Science Unit 3

Big Idea:

Balanced and unbalanced forces affect the speed or direction of an object’s motion.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

8.6(A) [Readiness] Demonstrate and calculate how unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of an object's motion.

8.6(C) [Readiness]] Investigate and describe applications of Newton's 3 laws of motion such as in vehicle restraints, sports activities, amusement park rides, Earth’s tectonic activities, and rocket launches.

Focus TEKS

8.6(B) [Supporting] Differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Ongoing TEKS

8.1(A) [Tools to Know] Demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations as outlined in the Texas Safety Standards.

8.1(B) [Tools to Know] practice appropriate use and conservation of resources, including disposal, reuse, or recycling of materials

8.2(A) [Tools to Know] Plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology.

8.2(B) [Tools to Know] design and implement comparative and experimental investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and using appropriate equipment and technology

8.2(C) [Ways to Show] Collect and record data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative means such as labeled drawings, writing, and graphic organizers

8.2(D) [Ways to Show] construct tables and graphs, using repeated trials and means, to organize data and identify patterns

8.2(E) [Ways to Show] analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations, communicate valid conclusions supported by the data, and predict trends

8.3(A) [Ways to Show] In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student

8.3(B) [Ways to Show] use models to represent aspects of the natural world such as an atom, a molecule, space, or a geologic feature

8.3(C) [Ways to Show] identify advantages and limitations of models such as size, scale, properties, and materials

8.3(D) [Ways to Show] relate the impact of research on scientific thought and society, including the history of science and contributions of scientists as related to the content

8.4(A) [Tools to Know] ) use appropriate tools to collect, record, and analyze information, including lab journals/notebooks, beakers, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, anemometers, psychrometers, hot plates, test tubes, spring scales, balances, microscopes, thermometers, calculators, computers, spectroscopes, timing devices, and other equipment as needed to teach the curriculum

8.4(B) [Tools to Know] use preventative safety equipment, including chemical splash goggles, aprons, and gloves, and be prepared to use emergency safety equipment, including an eye/face wash, a fire blanket, and a fire extinguisher

Student Learning Targets:

• I will determine how forces affect the motion of an object.
• I will calculate force.
• I will measure changes in motion of an object, record them on a table, graph them, and give reasons for the changes.
• I will know what forces produce acceleration and deceleration.
• I will graph the motion of objects.
• I will analyze motion graphs and describe the motion of object.
• I will measure and calculate speed of objects.
• I will apply Newton’s laws to real-world scenarios.

Essential Questions:

• How do different forces affect the motion of objects?
• What is force and how is it calculated?
• How do speed, velocity, and acceleration differ?
• What are Newton’s Laws of motion and how do they apply to real life scenarios?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: Texas STEM, McGraw-Hill

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center