Grade 8
Unit 1: Reproduction, Heredity, and Evolution
Unit Overview: During this unit, students will compare and contrast the processes of asexual and sexual reproduction. They will also learn the structure of reproductive organs as well as the function of the organs on the reproductive, endocrine and immune systems. This knowledge leads to the study of how environmental and physical factors impact and contribute to biodiversity. At the end of the unit, students should be able to describe the genetic product of cell division and its implications in terms of diversity of life.
Unit 2: Forces and Motion on Earth
Unit Overview: During this unit, students will learn the effects of different types of forces on the motion of objects, through the study of the Newton’s laws of motion. Students should be able to explain how changes in motion, perspective, and reference of objects, depend on different variables such as mass, direction of motion, and frame of reference
Unit 3: The Sun, Moon, and Earth System
This unit studies the interactions and relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Predictable motions of the Moon and Earth cause natural phenomena that impact life on Earth. Students will understand better the concepts of patterns, cause and effect, and energy, when they construct models that will best represent their explanation about how forces maintain the Sun, Earth, and Moon system in a predictable motion, and how this predictable motion is the effect of many natural events, such as tides and eclipses.
Unit 4: Humans and the Environment: Needs and Tradeoffs
This unit studies energy and materials needs, and how the use of resources of energy impacts the environment for living things. At the end of this unit, students should be able to discuss the impact of the use of energy resources and publish written sources about solutions to different environmental issues, and pose the use of alternative energy resources.
Unit 1: Reproduction, Heredity, and Evolution
Unit Overview: During this unit, students will compare and contrast the processes of asexual and sexual reproduction. They will also learn the structure of reproductive organs as well as the function of the organs on the reproductive, endocrine and immune systems. This knowledge leads to the study of how environmental and physical factors impact and contribute to biodiversity. At the end of the unit, students should be able to describe the genetic product of cell division and its implications in terms of diversity of life.
Unit 2: Forces and Motion on Earth
Unit Overview: During this unit, students will learn the effects of different types of forces on the motion of objects, through the study of the Newton’s laws of motion. Students should be able to explain how changes in motion, perspective, and reference of objects, depend on different variables such as mass, direction of motion, and frame of reference
Unit 3: The Sun, Moon, and Earth System
This unit studies the interactions and relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Predictable motions of the Moon and Earth cause natural phenomena that impact life on Earth. Students will understand better the concepts of patterns, cause and effect, and energy, when they construct models that will best represent their explanation about how forces maintain the Sun, Earth, and Moon system in a predictable motion, and how this predictable motion is the effect of many natural events, such as tides and eclipses.
Unit 4: Humans and the Environment: Needs and Tradeoffs
This unit studies energy and materials needs, and how the use of resources of energy impacts the environment for living things. At the end of this unit, students should be able to discuss the impact of the use of energy resources and publish written sources about solutions to different environmental issues, and pose the use of alternative energy resources.
