8th Science at Tahoma Jr. High

What To Expect

ONE COORDINATED 8th Science Web Sitefor ALL

8th GradeScience Students

Internet access from home/staying after

school, etc. - will be very useful, but not “required”. Laptops will be used a lot in class and usually

available.

Events Calendar for each day:

if you click on a Class # you’ll see…

HomeWork due

Learning Target

Entry Question

Class Activities

HomeWork

Exit Question

DOCUMENTS (the whole course is here):

HomeWork (HW)

HandOuts (HO)

PowerPoints (PPT)

*each starts with the Class # for easy reference

(no videos – due to copyright issues)

Some documents will be LOCKED as they are either for a future class OR they have

ANSWERS TO HW and CANNOT BE UNLOCKED UNTIL AFTER 6th Period.

if you click on Image Gallery there are some pictures from classes

if you click on Links, there are hyperlinks to additional help and fun things to do online

8th Science is 4 Big Units

~9 weeks – CHEMISTRY(Part A and Part B – each with a Test)

~10 weeks – PHYSICS(Part A and Part B – each with a Test)

~8 weeks – ASTRONOMY(One big unit with Big Test)

~6 weeks – SUSTAINABILITY(Next Generation Science Standards unit)

SCIENCE PRESENTATION PROJECTSdone in groups of 3 or 4 MOSTLY IN CLASS

graded individually – but collaboration skills stressed

• Introduction Individual Presentation (shows PPT can be used)

• Element “Group” Project (three individual simply combined)

• Important Chemical Group Project (first real group project)

• Electricity Group Project (develops more group skills)

• Mousetrap Car Investigative Design - Individual Project

• Space Programs Group Presentation (finalizes group skills)

8th Science Topics

Chemistry(our hardest unit, but we have to start with it since it’s involved in so many other subjects)

• Phases of Matter - Physical and Chemical Changes & Properties - Hydrolysis Lab

• Chemical Formulas and Equations• Acids and Bases (pH scale Lab)• Chemical Reactions (Unknown Gas Testing Lab)• Chemistry of Photosynthesis / Cellular

Respiration (molecular model kits)• Making Glue from Milk• Digestive System: Worm/Frog Dissection

(alternatives available)

CHEMICAL GROUP PPT PROJECT

Electricity

chemical batteries

static electricity

Electricity Production Group

PPT Project

Physics• Six Simple Machines –

Lever Lab

• Potential / Kinetic Energy (Pendulum Lab and Roller Coaster simulator)

• Motion Sensor Lab

• Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

• Friction

Individual

Mousetrap

Car

Project

Sound and Light

Sound and Light

• Wave Anatomy and Sound Waves (ear anatomy)

• Optics: Mirrors and Lenses Labs

• Light Waves (Electro-Magnetic Spectrum)

• Eye Anatomy (sheep eye dissection - alternative available)

Astronomy•Brief History of Astronomy (telescopes)

•Solar System layout (Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets)

•Sun, Earth and Moon Relationships (seasons, tides, eclipses)

•Moon Phases (StarLab indoor planetarium)

•Stellar Life Cycles and Fusion energy

•SPACE PROGRAM – Group Project

End of the Year Culminating Unit:

SustainabilityNext Generation Science Standards packaged unit will be piloted. Actual

materials have not been selected or approved yet – but will be ready for May start of unit.

Pop Bottle Rockets

fun way to use Physics to end the year

Grade Point Distribution~ 25% of points = HomeWork

~ 25% of points = Journals and Labs

~ 25% of points = PPT Projects

~ 25% of points = Tests

* even students who struggle on tests can pass

the class IF they do the other parts well

Re-Test(improve score)

PolicyRequirements are:

1. We’ll go over test in class as a group focusing on how answers were incorrect (extra time available through arrangement with teacher).

2. Register online through Google.docs – to attendAfter-School Re-Test session

3. 2nd Score Counts (even if lower)

The End(presentation will repeat)