8th Grade Science

Mrs. Mindy

Unit 2:

Earth History and Evolution

Weekly Breakdown of the Unit with Goals:

Week 1: The Rock Cycle

8.E.2.1:Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).

8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.

Week 2: Relative and Absolute Dating:

8.E.2.1:Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).

Week 3: Layers of the Earth and Plate Tectonics:

8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.

Week 4: Evolution of Earth’s Land and Life Forms :

8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.

Week 5:Evolutionary Biology and Adaptations:

8.L.4.2: Explain the relationship between genetic variation and an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.

Week 6:Wrap up all labs and activities, test taking strategies, test review and test!!!

Key Vocabulary:

Inner Core / Outer Core / Mantle / Crust / Lithosphere
Asthenosphere / Tectonic Plate / Continental Drift / Pangaea / Mid-Ocean Ridge
Convection / Convection Current / Plate Tectonics Theory / Divergent Boundary / Convergent Boundary
Transform Boundary / Rift Valley / Magnetic Reversal / Hot Spot / Subduction
Fossil / Original Remains / Ice Core / Index Fossil / Absolute Age
Half-Life / Uniformitarianism / Geologic Time Scale / Unicellular Organism / Mulitcellular Organism
Mass Extinction / Evolution / Natural Selection / Adaptation / Speciation
Gene / Classification / Taxonomy / Six Kingdoms / Relative Age

Key Essential Questions:

  1. What role did density have in forming the layers on the Earth?
  1. How do the three main types of rocks differ in the way that they were formed?
  1. How do relative and absolute dating differ?
  1. How are ice cores used to tell stories of Earth’s past?
  1. How are index fossils used to date rocks?
  1. How is the Geologic Time Scale organized and how is the evolution of life and land described?
  1. How do organisms adapt to their environment?
  1. How does natural selection affect population?

Unit 1 Assignment Matrix: Science

How to Use this Matrix:

Shaded assignments are mandatory

At least 15 assignments must be completed by the end of Unit 1

The blank spaces are “student choice” assignments. This means that you can create an assignment of your choosing, but you must first submit a Proposal Form and wait for approval before you begin, so plan carefully and use your time wisely!!!

Unit 1: Week 1
Topic: The Rock Cycle
Goals: 8.E.2.1 and 8.L.4.1 / Unit 1: Week 4
Topic:Evolution of Earth’s Land and Life Forms
Goals: 8.L.4.1
Assignment # / Assignment Title / Assignment #
1-A1 / Rock Cycle Drawing / 1-D1 / A Date with the Fossil Record
1-A2 / Rock Cycle Journey Game / 1-D2 / Fossil Lab
1-A3 / Rock ID Lab / 1-D3 / Our Changing Earth
1-A4 / Friendly Rock Talk Probe / 1-D4 / Model Geologic Time Scale
1-A5 / 1-D5
1-A6 / 1-D6
Unit 1: Week 2
Topic: Relative and Absolute Dating
Goals: 8.E.2.1 / Unit 1: Week 5
Topic: Genetic Variation and Adaptation
Goals: 8.L.4.2
Assignment # / Assignment Title / Assignment #
1-B1 / Ask a Rock or Ask an Ice Core (Stations 1-4 and 6-7) / 1-E1 / Natural Selection: Fishy Frequencies
1-B2 / Radiometric Dating Math Skills / 1-E2 / The Making of the Fittest Video with Questions
1-B3 / Creating a Rock Sequence / 1-E3 / The Making of the Fittest Activty
1-B4 / Penny Lab for Half Lives / 1-E4 / Peppered Moths and Pollution Online Simulation
1-B5 / 1-E5
1-B6 / 1-E6
Unit 1: Week 3
Topic: Plate Tectonics
Goals: 8.L.4.1 / Unit 1: Week 6
Topic: Wrap Up and Test Review
Assignment # / Assignment Title / Assignment #
1-C1 / Ask a Rock or Ask an Ice Core (Station 5) / 1-F1
1-C2 / Layers of Earth Mini Model with Drilling Into Earth Activity Sheet / 1-F2
1-C3 / Types of Boundaries / 1-F3
1-C4 / Convection Currents Lab / 1-F4
1-C5 / 1-F5
1-C6 / 1-F6