Science Pacing Guide

Eighth Grade

Unit 1: Structure & Properties of Matter / Quarterly Benchmark Assessment Window
(Sept. 25th- Oct. 5th)
Time Frame / (8 weeks)
Instructional Days / August 10-October 5, 2015 (Test QBA1 by October 5th)
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Physical Science
S8P1. Students will examine the scientific view of the nature of matter.
  1. Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
  2. Describe the difference between pure substances (elements and compounds) and mixtures.
  3. Describe the movement of particles in solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas states.
  4. Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter as physical (i.e., density, melting point, boiling point) or chemical (i.e., reactivity, combustibility).
  5. Distinguish between changes in matter as physical (i.e., physical change) or chemical (development of a gas, formation of precipitate, and change in color).
  6. Recognize that there are more than 100 elements and some have similar properties as shown on the Periodic Table of Elements.
  7. Identify and demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter.

Unit 2: Transformation of Energy
Time Frame / 5.5 weeks
Instructional Days / October 6 - November 13, 2015 (This material will be included in QBA2.)
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Physical Science
S8P2. Students will be familiar with the forms and transformations of energy.
  1. Explain energy transformation in terms of the Law of Conservation of Energy.
  2. Explain the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
  3. Compare and contrast the different forms of energy (heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound) and their characteristics.
  4. Describe how heat can be transferred through matter by the collisions of atoms (conduction) or through space (radiation). In a liquid or gas, currents will facilitate the transfer of heat (convection).

Unit 3: Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation / Quarterly Benchmark Assessment Window (QB2 December 4th through December 14th)
Time Frame / 6 weeks 2nd nine weeks test will only include chapter 15, Characteristics of Waves. The rest of the unit will be on the QBA3. The window for QBA3 is February 26th through March 7th.
Instructional Days / November 16, 2015-January 15, 2016
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Physical Science
S8P4. Students will explore the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation.
  1. Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
  2. Describe how the behavior of light waves is manipulated causing reflection, refraction diffraction, and absorption.
  3. Explain how the human eye sees objects and colors in terms of wavelengths.
  4. Describe how the behavior of waves is affected by medium (such as air, water, solids).
  5. Relate the properties of sound to everyday experiences.
  6. Diagram the parts of the wave and explain how the parts are affected by changes in amplitude and pitch.

Unit 4: Force & Motion / Quarterly Benchmark Assessment Window
(Feb. 26th to March7th)
Time Frame / 5 weeks
Instructional Days / January 18 - February 19, 2016
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Physical Science
S8P3. Students will investigate relationship between force, mass, and the motion of objects.
  1. Determine the relationship between velocity and acceleration.
  2. Demonstrate the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object in terms of gravity, inertia, and friction.
  3. Demonstrate the effect of simple machines (lever, inclined plane, pulley, wedge, screw, and wheel and axle) on work.

Unit 5: Forces in Nature
Time Frame / 20 days (4 weeks)
Instructional Days / February 22 - March 18, 2016
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Physical Science
S8P5. Students will recognize characteristics of gravity, electricity, and magnetism as major kinds of forces acting in nature.
  1. Recognize that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object and that the force exerted depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are.
  2. Demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel circuits and how they transfer energy.
  3. Investigate and explain that electric currents and magnets can exert force on each other.

Unit 6: Be the Scientist / Quarterly Benchmark Assessment Window
(No CUA for this unit)
Time Frame / 4 to 5 weeks depending upon when State Assessment Ends
Instructional Days / 20 to 25 days (You may pull content standards with this unit as well.)
Georgia Content Focus Standards / GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Habits of the Mind
S8CS1. Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.
  1. Understand the importance of-and keep-honest, clear, and accurate records in science.
  2. Understand that hypotheses can be valuable even if they turn out not to be completely accurate.
S8CS2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
  1. Follow correct procedures for use of scientific apparatus.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate techniques in all laboratory situations.
  3. Follow correct protocol for identifying and reporting safety problems and violations.
S8CS3. Students will have the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.
  1. Analyze scientific data by using, interpreting, and comparing numbers in several equivalent forms, such as integers, fractions, decimals, and percent.
  1. Apply the metric system to scientific investigations that include metric to metric conversions (i.e., centimeters to meters).
  1. Address the relationship between accuracy and precision.
  2. Use ratios and proportions, including constant rates, in appropriate problems.
S8CS4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory procedures.
  1. Use appropriate technology to store and retrieve scientific information in topical, alphabetical, numerical, and keyword files, and create simple files.
  1. Learn and use standard safety practices when conducting scientific investigations.
S8CS5. Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.
  1. Observe and explain how parts can be related to other parts in a system such as the role of simple machines in complex machines.
S8CS6. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
  1. Write clear, step-by-step instructions for conducting scientific investigations, operating a piece of equipment, or following a procedure.
  2. Write for scientific purposes incorporating information from a circle, bar, or line graph, data tables, diagrams, and symbols.
  3. Organize scientific information in appropriate tables, charts, and graphs, and identify relationships they reveal.
S8CS7. Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.
  1. Question the value of arguments based on small samples of data, biased samples, or samples for which there was no control.
  2. Recognize that there may be more than one way to interpret a given set of findings.
GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Nature of Science
S8CS8. Students will be familiar with the characteristics of scientific knowledge and how it is achieved.
  1. When similar investigations give different results, the scientific challenge is to judge whether the differences are trivial or significant, which often requires further study. Even with similar results, scientists may wait until an investigation has been repeated many times before accepting the results as meaningful.

Benchmark Review / Be the Scientist
Time Frame / March 28 until GMAS EOG Science / Post-testing Window through End of School Year
Instructional Days / Approximately 10-15 days (2-3 weeks) / Approximately 20-25 days (4-5 weeks)
Georgia Content Focus Standards Review /
  • Whole group, small group and individual benchmark review based on spiraled formative benchmark exam data
/
  • Additional benchmark review for targeted non-proficiency students
  • Lab activities, research projects, Earth Day Essay and activities

Georgia Science
Supporting Standards / Unit 1: Structure & Properties of Matter / Unit 2: Transformation of Energy / Unit 3: Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation / Unit 4: Force in Motion / Unit 5: Force in Nature / Unit 6: Be the Scientist
S3CS1 / X / X / X / X / X / X
S3CS2 / X / X / X / X / X / X
S3CS3 / X / X / X / X / X / X
S3CS4 / X / X / X / X / X / X
S3CS5 / X / X / X / X
S3CS6 / x / X / x / x / x / x
S3CS7 / X / X / x / X / X
S3CS8 / X / X / X / X / x

GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Habits of the Mind

S8CS1. Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.

  1. Understand the importance of-and keep-honest, clear, and accurate records in science.
  2. Understand that hypotheses can be valuable even if they turn out not to be completely accurate.

S8CS2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.

  1. Follow correct procedures for use of scientific apparatus.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate techniques in all laboratory situations.
  3. Follow correct protocol for identifying and reporting safety problems and violations.

S8CS3. Students will have the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.

  1. Analyze scientific data by using, interpreting, and comparing numbers in several equivalent forms, such as integers, fractions, decimals, and percent.
  1. Apply the metric system to scientific investigations that include metric to metric conversions (i.e., centimeters to meters).
  1. Address the relationship between accuracy and precision.
  2. Use ratios and proportions, including constant rates, in appropriate problems.

S8CS4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory procedures.

  1. Use appropriate technology to store and retrieve scientific information in topical, alphabetical, numerical, and keyword files, and create simple files.
  1. Learn and use standard safety practices when conducting scientific investigations.

S8CS5. Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.

  1. Observe and explain how parts can be related to other parts in a system such as the role of simple machines in complex machines.

S8CS6. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.

  1. Write clear, step-by-step instructions for conducting scientific investigations, operating a piece of equipment, or following a procedure.
  2. Write for scientific purposes incorporating information from a circle, bar, or line graph, data tables, diagrams, and symbols.
  3. Organize scientific information in appropriate tables, charts, and graphs, and identify relationships they reveal.

S8CS7. Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.

  1. Question the value of arguments based on small samples of data, biased samples, or samples for which there was no control.
  2. Recognize that there may be more than one way to interpret a given set of findings.

GA: Science (GPS), GA: Grade 8, Nature of Science

S8CS8. Students will be familiar with the characteristics of scientific knowledge and how it is achieved.

When similar investigations give different results, the scientific challenge is to judge whether the differences are trivial or significant, which often requires further study. Even with similar results, scientists may wait until an investigation has been repeated many times before accepting the results as meaningful.

Quarterly Benchmark Assessment Information:

  • 20 – 30 Multiple Choice questions
  • 1 or 2 constructive response questions per quarterly assessment

Georgia Milestones End of Grade Test Information:

  • Approximately 70-75 multiple choice questions given in two sections
  • open-ended (constructed-response) items in language arts and mathematics (all grades and courses);
  • a writing component (in response to passages read by students) at every grade level and course within the language arts assessment;
  • norm-referenced items in all content areas and courses, to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and
  • transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-penc​il as back-up until the transition is complete.

8th grade Science Milestones
Content weights / Structure of Matter / 30%
Force and Motion / 30%
Energy and Its Transformation / 40%