Earth Science

Grade 8 Science Curriculum

Unit of Study: EARTH
Suggested Time: 10 Weeks

 

Content Standard 8.3 The solar system is composed of planets and other objects that orbit the sun.

  • Gravity is the force that governs the motions of objects in the solar system.
  • The motion of the earth and moon relative to the sun causes daily, monthly and yearly cycles on earth.
Essential Question: How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet?

 

Focus Question #1 Why do planets orbit the sun?

Expected performances (C28) The student will be able to:

a. extend their knowledge of gravity to the moon, the sun, and other large objects in our solar system.

b. predict how variations in mass and distance affect the gravitational forces between planetary objects.

c. explain the effect of gravity on the orbital movement of planets in the solar system.

Required Activities:

  1. Analyzing gravity data lab. (Ex: “Gravity Versus Distance” Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – Text Book, p.18 (CINQ. 6, 7)
  2. Gravity, mass, and distance inferring activity (Ex: “The Force of Gravity” Inferring Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy – Color Transparencies Book”, p. J5 and textbook p. 17 (CINQ. 9)
  3. Mass vs. weight comparison activity. (Ex: “Mass Versus Weight” Web-based activity) Refer to http://www.nyu.edu/pages/mathmol/textbook/weightvmass.html (CINQ. 2, 7, 9)
  4. Extraterrestrial weight comparison activity. (Ex: “Your Weight in the Solar System” Enrichment Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, p. 60 (CINQ. 7, 9)

Optional Activities:

none

Assessments:

(State-provided performance assessment will be imbedded in this unit)

Assess performance expectations C28a through C28c and inquiry skills expectations. (Ex: “Gravity and Motion” Section Assessment) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” textbook, p.19 (CINQ. 9)

Assess performance expectations C28c and inquiry skills expectations. (Ex: “Speeding Around the Sun - Design Your Own Lab” Assessment) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, pgs. 202-204 (CINQ. 1, 3, 4, 7)

 

Focus Question #2 How is the sun’s light affected by the motion of the earth and the moon?

Expected performances (C29) The student will be able to:

a. explain how the regular motion and relative position of the sun, earth and moon affects the seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses.

b. explain why we have tides.

Required Activities:

  1. Earth and sun shadow modeling activity. (Ex: “Reasons for the Seasons” Skills Lab) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, pgs. 52-54 (CINQ. 5, 7, 9, 10, 1)
  2. Moon observation real-time logging activity. (Ex: “Track the Moon” Chapter Project) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, pgs. 38-44 (CINQ. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  3. Moon phase modeling activity. (Ex: “A ‘Moonth’ of Phases” Skills Lab) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, pp. 69-70 (CINQ. 4, 5, 8, 10)
  4. Tidal force modeling activity. (ex: “Modeling the Moon’s Pull of Gravity” Teacher Demo Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” Teacher edition textbook, p. 26 (CINQ. 5, 9)
  5. Tidal height graphing activity. (Ex: “Tracking the Tides” At-home Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” Lab Zone CD-ROM (CINQ. 2, 5, 6, 7)
  6. Solar eclipse modeling activity. (Ex: “Making Models” Skills Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” Lab Zone CD-ROM (CINQ. 5, 6)
  7. Comparing solar and lunar eclipses activity. (Ex: “Comparing and Contrasting Solar and Lunar Eclipses”) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” Lab Zone CD-ROM (CINQ. 2)

Optional Activities:

  1. Sundial building and graphing activity. (Ex: “Build a Simple Sundial” Enrichment Activity) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” – All In One Resource Book, p. 51 (CINQ. 8, 9)

Assessments:

Assess performance expectations C29b and inquiry skills expectations. (Ex: “The Tides” Performance Assessment) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” All In One Resource Book, pgs. 85-87 (CINQ. 5, 8)

Assess performance expectations C29a and C29b. (Ex: “Earth, Moon, and Sun” Chapter Test) Refer to Prentice-Hall “Astronomy” All In One Resource Book, pgs. 88-91

Resources:

Prentice Hall Astronomy

 

Bold face indicates CORE expected performances to be assessed by CMT

Ledyard Public Schools
Revised 5/20/05
Approved by Instructional Council May 20, 2005