8th Grade Integrated Science
First quarter focuses on ecology, and will provide a rich context for mastering the following concepts (listed in the "Language.." box) in depth.
Language science students should use: food web, food chain, photosynthesis, respiration, predator, energy flow, solar energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy, producer, consumer, prey, mutualism, parasitism, competition, environment, capacity
Second quarter, students learn to differentiate between physical and chemical properties and changes. Students will verify just how important chemistry is to every aspect of daily life.
Language science students should use: chemical properties, physical properties, chemical change, physical change, reaction, reactants, products, respiration, photosynthesis, temperature, molecules, heat energy, chemical energy, atoms, energy
Third quarter students will find themselves designing their own physics experiments, and using the science department ipads to collect, analyze and share the data and findings from those experiments. Kinetic and potential energy are experienced when simple machines are brought together for the construction of "Rube Goldberg" machines. Waves are also studied as the means for delivering light, heat, water, sound and earth.
Language science students should use: energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, force, gravity, complex machine, wave, friction, amplitude
During fourth quarter we will assess geologic phenomena and deduct information from fossils, rocks, and rock formations.
Language science students should use: volcano, earthquake, weathering, minerals, fossils, sedimentary, magma, metamorphic, rock cycle, igneous, sedimentation, deposition, geology, paleontology