earth systems science 8th grade standard...

Earth Systems Science

8th Grade Standard 3.1 8.Earth Systems.3.1 Weather is a result of complex interactions of Earth's atmosphere, land

and water, that are driven by energy from the sun, and can be predicted and described through

complex models.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. Why does weather vary from day to day?

2. What are the strengths and limitations of

different types of weather models?

3. What are the variables that make predicting

weather challenging?

4. What actions should be taken to protect

yourself and others both indoors and/or

outdoors during severe weather conditions

common to your locality?

5. How do weather patterns relate to climate?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Differentiate between basic and severe

weather conditions, and develop an

appropriate action plan for personal safety and

the safety of others.

b. Observe and gather data for various weather

conditions and compare to historical data for

that date and location.

c. Use models to develop and communicate a

weather prediction.

Academic Vocabulary:

air mass

atmosphere

atmospheric pressure

cloud

Coriolis Effect

dew point

flood plain

Greenhouse Effect

hurricane

jet stream

severe weather

tornado

tsunami

water cycle

weather

weather advisory

weather warning

weather watch

wind

Assessment:

1. Evaluate student notes over the PowerPoint

for completeness.

2. Grade the Research Paper with rubric that is

attached to lesson.

3. Use the worksheet over weather map for

assessment.

4. Grade student tables from the lesson.

5. Grade the Lab Workbook.

6. Grade student lab results and explanations.

7. Assessments are available throughout the

unit.

8. Assessment is located within the lesson.

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 160

http://app.curriculumtrak.com/client/benchmark/view_detail.cfm?memberid=1751&benchid=993


8th Grade Standard 3.1 9. Create and use a rubric to evaluate the

feasibility and accuracy of the student action

plan posters for fire, flood, and tornado

events.

3. Worksheet over Weather Map

3. Key to Worksheet over Weather Map

9. Rubric Generator

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. Use the Weather PowerPoint for lecture and

discussion.

2. Have students write a research paper on

cloud formation and classification.

3. Students can create their own weather maps

and forecasting lab for tracking and predicting

weather.

4. Warm and Cold Fronts: This activity

teaches students how to interpret weather

maps with identified fronts.

5. Have students complete this lab over

interpreting current weather maps.

6. Have students complete this lab examining

temperature change.

7. The Severe Weather Unit: This unit consists

of a series of related lessons that form a

comprehensive study of dangerous weather

patterns in the United States.

8. Weather Unit: Students complete a lesson

series, learn data and graphing, examine

weather data (temporal and spatial), and use

the data to investigate questions about weather

patterns and trends.

Resources/Technology:

The Science Queen

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

The Science Spot

Geology Lesson Plans

Weather Units

Scholastic Weather Watch Sources

Middle School Weather Lessons

The Tornado Project

Activities and Resources on Weather

Examples of Cloud Types

Link to Historical Weather

A Teacher's Guide to Weather Lessons


http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/img4a.gif

http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/img4answer.gif

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/predict.html

http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/fronts.html

http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/page/download.php?fileinfo=d2VhdGhlcm1hcHMucGRmOjo6L3d3dy9zY2hvb2xzL3NjL3JlbW90ZS9pbWFnZXMvZG9jbWdyLzMzNGZpbGUxMjY1LnBkZg==&sectiondetailid=17511

http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/page/download.php?fileinfo=dGVtcENoYW5nZUxhYi5wZGY6Ojovd3d3L3NjaG9vbHMvc2MvcmVtb3RlL2ltYWdlcy9kb2NtZ3IvNTcyZmlsZTUxMjgucGRm&sectiondetailid=17511

http://www.thesciencequeen.net/8Units.htm

http://clipart.mrdonn.org/index.html

http://www.freeclubweb.com/powerpoints/science/index.html

http://www.wartgames.com/themes/science/index.html

http://www.freeclubweb.com/ipad.html

http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classweather.html

http://geology.com/teacher/weather.shtml

http://science.lotsoflessons.com/weather/overviews.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/

http://www.middleschoolscience.com/earth.htm

http://www.tornadoproject.com/

http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/modules/nw_wx_watch/index.html

http://app.curriculumtrak.com/client/unit_plan/unit_field_retrieve.cfm?memberid=1751&unitid=421&fieldid=6&attachid=4660

http://www.wunderground.com/history/

http://www.air-n-water.com/weather-lessons.htm


8th Grade Standard 3.1 9. Brainstorm, discuss, and role play the steps

of an appropriate action plan for use in the

event of fire, flood, tornado. Consider both

the need for personal safety and the safety of

others. Have the students create three posters

(one on each topic) which must include

feasible action plans for each event. Display at

school and in the community as Public Service

Announcements.

1. Weather PowerPoint

2. Cloud Research Paper with Rubric

3. Create Your Own Weather Map

4. Weather Fronts

5. Lab

6. Lab Examining Temperature

7. Severe Weather Unit

8. Weather/Climate Unit




http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/predict.html

http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/integrated/athena/curric/weather/hsweathr/fronts.html

http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/page/download.php?fileinfo=d2VhdGhlcm1hcHMucGRmOjo6L3d3dy9zY2hvb2xzL3NjL3JlbW90ZS9pbWFnZXMvZG9jbWdyLzMzNGZpbGUxMjY1LnBkZg==&sectiondetailid=17511

http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/page/download.php?fileinfo=dGVtcENoYW5nZUxhYi5wZGY6Ojovd3d3L3NjaG9vbHMvc2MvcmVtb3RlL2ltYWdlcy9kb2NtZ3IvNTcyZmlsZTUxMjgucGRm&sectiondetailid=17511

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/frames/Subjects/la/b4u5.html



8th Grade Standard 3.2 8.Earth Systems.3.2 Earth has a variety of climates defined by average temperature,

precipitation, humidity, air pressure, and wind that have changed over time in a particular

location.



1. How does the climate in one area compare

and contrast with another area?

2. Why are there different climates on Earth?

3. How has Earth’s climate changed over

time?

4. What evidence supports and/or contradicts

human influence on climate change?

5. What is the difference between weather and

climate?

6. How is climate affected by geographical

location and features?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based scientific explanation to

account for Earth’s different climates.

b. Research and evaluate direct and indirect

evidence to explain how climates vary from

one location to another on Earth.

c. Examine, evaluate, and question

information from a variety of sources and

media to investigate how climates vary from

one location to another on Earth.


air pressure

atmospheric pressure

climate

global warming

humidity

ozone layer

precipitation

temperature

Assessment:

All assessments are located within the lesson

plans provided.


1. Changing Forest: Students explore criteria

for classifying forests and then compare a

tropical rainforest to a local forest. They read

about the Maya Biosphere Reserve in

Guatemala and analyze maps of the region to

determine recent changes in forest cover.

2. Protecting through Certification: Students

explore different criteria that may be involved

in forest certification and consider the benefits

of certification to the Guatemalan rainforest


Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints


Free I-pad Apps

Video on Climate Modeling

Link to Climates of the World







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zExRvlaLZbU

http://www.climate-zone.com/


8th Grade Standard 3.2 and rainforest communities. They then create a

brochure to educate family, friends, and other

students about the benefits of buying certified

forests products when they have the choice.

3. Climate Basics: In this activity, students

explore the relationship between CO2 and

climate by graphing changes in atmospheric

CO2 over a 50-year period. They also

interview family members or neighbors to find

out whether they have observed any climate

changes in the area.

4. Carbon Cycle: Earth has a fixed number of

carbon atoms which circulate among air,

plants, animals, soil, and minerals by way of

the carbon cycle. This activity uses a game to

introduce students to the carbon cycle and to

help them see how carbon in the atmosphere is

connected to living things.

5. Trees and Carbon Activity: Forests store

more carbon than any other land-based

ecosystem. Tropical rainforests, like

Guatemala’s Petén region, have the potential

to store even more. In this activity,

students measure a tree to estimate the amount

of carbon stored in it.

6. Forests of Guatemala: Students learn about

the distribution of forest and humans around

the world and then analyze maps of the Maya

Biosphere Reserve to determine recent

changes in forest cover and to consider the

causes of these changes.

7. Investments in Forest Carbon: Students

consider what makes the forest valuable to

people and then read a case study about a

community in the Petén preparing to sell

carbon credits based on carbon sequestered in

the community’s forests.

Animation for Air Circulation

Rainforest Alliance

Climate PowerPoint

Interactive Climate Model

Climate Games and Activities

8th Grade SCOPE Lessons


http://www.kevinflint.org/ppt/chap5/Animations/global_circ_anim.html

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/curriculum/climate


http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/cli_model.html

http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/cli_games.html

http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/scope/eighth_lessons/index.html


8th Grade Standard 3.2 8. What is a greenhouse? This activity is

designed to have students become familiar

with how a greenhouse retains heat by

building simple models. Through discussion,

they can gain an understanding of how the

atmospheric Greenhouse Effect causes the

earth to retain heat.

9. What factors influence a greenhouse?

Students identify at least three factors

affecting the heat-trapping ability of a

greenhouse, including the transparency of the

greenhouse cover, color of the surfaces inside

the greenhouse, and type of surfaces inside.

10. Human Activity and Climate Change: In

this activity, students examine graphs of GHG

emissions and their increases associated with

human activity.

1. Guatemala's Changing Forest

2. Protecting through Certification

3. Climate Basics

4. Carbon Cycle

5. Trees and Carbon

6. Forests of Guatemala

7. Investments in Forest Carbon

8. What is a Greenhouse?

9. Factors that Affect a Greenhouse

10. Human Activity and Climate Change


http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/curriculum/eighth/lesson1

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/curriculum/eighth/lesson2

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/curriculum/climate/activity1





http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_2_12t.htm



Earth Systems Science 8th Grade Standard 3.3

8.Earth Systems.3.3 The solar system is comprised of various objects that orbit the Sun and are classified based on their characteristics.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies:

1. How are the various bodies in the solar system similar and different?

2. How does investigating characteristics of the various bodies in the solar system provide clues to Earth’s origin and evolution?

3. Why do objects such as satellites, moons, and planets stay in orbit?

4. How is the life cycle of a star such as the sun similar to the cycle of life on Earth?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Construct a scale model of the solar system and use it to explain the motion of objects in the system such as planets, sun, moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets.

b. Describe methods and equipment used to explore the solar system and beyond.

c. Design an investigation that involves direct observation of objects in the sky, and analyze and explain results.

d. Research, critique, and communicate scientific theories that explain how the solar system was formed.

e. Use computer data sets and simulations to explore objects in the solar system.

f. Recognize that mathematical models are used to predict orbital paths and events.


asteroid comet dwarf planet meteor moon orbit cloud orbital path planet satellite solar system star sun

Assessment:

1. Grade the question sheet from the Solar System to Scale Lab.

2. & 3. Examine the PowerPoint notes for completeness.

4. Use the lab sheets for assessment.

5, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11. Assessments are located within the lessons.

6. Use a rubric to evaluate the multimedia presentation.

1. Solar System Scale Lab Worksheet 6. Multimedia Rubric #1 6. Multimedia Rubric #2


http://app.curriculumtrak.com/client/benchmark/view_detail.cfm?memberid=1751&benchid=995�

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http://www.ncsu.edu/mmania/mm_docs/mm_judge_rubric2.html�


6. Multimedia Rubric #3 6. Multimedia Rubric #4


1. Have students construct a scale model of the solar system. They will need a large open space (e.g., football field) and the Solar System to Scale Lab pdf.

2. Use the Explore the Solar System PowerPoint created by NASA to lecture and have students take notes. This covers methods and equipment.

3. Use the informational PowerPoint on the solar system and its formation for students to learn as they take notes.

4. Use the full lab book for comparing the size and distance of the solar system.

5. Puzzling Planets: Students learn the order of the planets, research the main characteristics of the nine planets, and understand the basic structure of our solar system.

6. What's Out There?: At the conclusion of each mission, students create a multimedia presentation to share during a mock press conference.

7. Out of Darkness a New Night Sky: Students explore the advances made with the optical telescope, from Galileo to Kepler. They use their own powers of observation to make deductions about the surface of Mars from visual imagery and to formulate research questions for explorers on the surface of Mars.

8. Modeling the Solar System Lesson: In this lesson, students calculate the relative distances between planets in our solar system, build a model illustrating those distances to scale, and compare the model with standard solar system


Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints


Free I-pad Apps

Grade 8 SCOPE Lesson (Scroll to Unit 5.)

The Known Universe YouTube Video

Scholastic's Solar System

Pictures of Solar System to Scale NASA Solar System Exploration Earth's Different Satellite Orbits Image of Solar System Earth Science Unit


http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow4/may99/mm-rubric.html�

http://www.uen.org/Rubric/rubric.cgi?rubric_id=16�

http://quest.nasa.gov/vft/docs/SSML1/SSML1Tchr.pdf�

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/planets/index.html�

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/shuttle/index.html�

http://clipart.mrdonn.org/index.html�

http://www.freeclubweb.com/powerpoints/science/index.html�

http://www.wartgames.com/themes/science/index.html�

http://www.freeclubweb.com/ipad.html�

http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/scope/eighth_lessons/index.html�

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U&feature=youtu.be�

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/unit/solar-system-everything-you-need�

http://www.phrenopolis.com/perspective/solarsystem/�

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm�

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/OrbitsCatalog/page2.php�

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm�



illustrations.

9. Best of the Solar System Lesson: Introduce students to planetary research and familiarize them with the planets and their features.

10. Scaling Down the Solar System: In this lesson, students work collaboratively to gain a better understanding of the vastness of space by scaling down the solar system.

11. Searching for Just the Right Planet Task is an interactive class activity. Scenario: It is now the year 2055. Z-Tech, a large multi-national company, wants to put a space hotel in orbit around one of the other planets in our solar system. Your class has been given the job of searching for the perfect location for this hotel.

1. Solar System to Scale 2. Explore the Solar System with Notes 3. Solar System Information PowerPoint 4. Lab Book 7. Out of Darkness a New Night Sky Lesson 8. Modeling the Solar System Lesson 9. Best of the Solar System 10. Scaling Down the Solar System 11. Searching for Just the Right Planet Task







http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/space-out-modeling-the-solar-system/�

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/segwayed/lessons/BOSS/lessonplan2.htm�

http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=26283�

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/solar_sy.htm�


8th Grade Standard 3.4 8.Earth Systems.3.4 The relative positions and motions of the earth, moon, and sun can be

used to explain observable effects such as seasons, eclipses, and moon phases.



1. Why do we observe changes in the relative

positions of the earth, moon, and sun from

Earth over time?

2. How do the relative positions of the earth,

moon, and sun affect natural phenomenon on

Earth?

3. How are the tides affected by the earth,

moon, and sun's positions?

4. What are the different shapes and phases of

the moon?

5. What is a solar eclipse? Lunar eclipse?

6. What causes the seasons on earth?

7. How can models help us to explain the

relative motions of the earth, moon and sun?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based explanation using relative

positions of the earth, moon, and sun to

explain natural phenomenon, including tides,

eclipses of the sun and moon, and the different

shapes of the moon as viewed from Earth.

b. Analyze and interpret data to explain why

we have seasons.

c. Use models to explain the relative motions

of the earth, moon, and sun over time.


eclipse

lunar

moon

moon phase

natural phenomenon

season

sun

tide

Assessment:

1. Have the students place the cookies in order

of the moon's phases and the teacher can

generally evaluate the correctness of the phase

and order.

2. Use the Virtual Moon Lab Sheet for

assessment.

3. Assessment is located within the lab. Grade

the Moon Phases and Eclipses lab sheet.

4. Evaluate the correctness and completeness

of all or parts of the Seasons Lab Book.

5. Examine the notes over presentation as

assessment.




8th Grade Standard 3.4

6. Grade the quiz over the PowerPoint

Presentation.

7. Use the pre/post test embedded in the

Lesson Plan.

8, 9, & 10. Assessment is located within

lesson.

2. Virtual Moon Lab Sheet

6. Quiz for PowerPoint Presentation


1. Oreo® Moon Phases: Students recreate the

lunar phases using the frosting from Oreo

cookies. Any round cookie or crackers with

cream cheese can also be used if Oreos are not

an option.

2. Students access the Virtual Moon Phase

Lab and follow procedures.

3. Moon Phase Eclipse Lab: Students

demonstrate and illustrate how the relative

positions of the sun, earth and moon cause the

phases of the moon as seen from Earth.

4. Season Lab Book: This is a book with

multiple activities that the students can do

alone, in small groups, or as a class.

5. Use the PowerPoint presentation on seasons

for teaching and discussion.

6. Use the PowerPoint presentation on Moon

Phases for teaching and discussion.

7. Lesson Plan on Tides: Students describe

how sea levels are constantly changing with

daily and monthly cycles and list some causes


Daylight Hour Explorer

Eclipse Slideshow Simulator

Lunar Phase Quizzer

Seasons and Elliptical Simulator

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints


Free I-pad Apps

Tides and Currents Resources

eThemes

Oreo Moon Phases Pictures

Phases of the Moon Lab Activity

Moon and Sun PowerPoint

Science Class.Net Site with Multiple

Activities

NOAA Ocean Service Lessons



http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level2/moonlight.html

http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/animations/coordsmotion/daylighthoursexplorer.html

http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/animations/lunarcycles/shadowsim.html

http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/animations/lunarcycles/lunarphasequizzer.html

http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/animations/coordsmotion/eclipticsimulator.html





http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/education.html

http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1378

http://www.algebra4children.com/Geography/faulting-folding.html

http://janinehuldie.hubpages.com/hub/The-Phases-of-the-Moon-A-Middle-School-Science-Hands-On-Lesson


http://science-class.net/Oceanography/waves_currents_tides.htm

http://science-class.net/Oceanography/waves_currents_tides.htm

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/lessons/welcome.html


8th Grade Standard 3.4 and effects of tidal changes.

8. Ocean Current Lab: Students define ocean

currents and understand overall surface

circulation. The lab shows the relationship

between global air circulation and oceanic

currents. Students learn about the influences of

wind, water temperature, landmasses, and

water density on currents.

9. Seasons on Earth: In this lesson, students

use class discussion, interactive activities,

hands-on activities, and videos to learn about

the seasons, Earth's motion, and the role of its

tilted axis. Students also study satellite data

showing seasonal changes of plant life and

explore an example of long-term natural

climate change.

10. Seasons Greetings: This lesson uses video

segments from the NATURE film Earth

Navigators to explain what causes the earth’s

seasons and seasonal changes. Students

explore the causes and effects of the changes

in the earth’s seasons using a hands-on activity

and a Web interactive. As a culminating

activity, students learn about seasonal

milestones using video segments from Earth

Navigators.

1. Oreo Moon Phases

2. Virtual Moon Lab

3. Moon Phases and Eclipse Lab

4. Seasons Lab Book

5. PowerPoint on Seasons

6. PowerPoint on Moon Phases

7. Lesson Plan on Tides

8. Ocean Current Lab

9. Seasons on Earth Lesson

10. Seasons Greetings



http://abernathyscience.com/online%20labs/Moon%20Phases%20Lab.html





http://oceandrilling.coe.tamu.edu/curriculum/Sea_Level/Tides/teachers_notes.html


http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.lp_seasons/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/lessons/seasons-greetings/lesson-overview/4809/

earth systems science 8th grade standard...

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