Science: 8th Grade
Core Question 1:
What can I do to help my child prepare for 8th grade physical science?
Encourage your child’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Around the house and in
everyday life are lots of things that have to do with physical science. Pointing them out, asking
questions, or experimenting will be both fun and educational. Try some of the following:
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Kitchen Chemistry (http://www.pbskids.org/zoom/games/kitchenchemistry)
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Electricity – point out the breaker box at home and its function; a light switch completes a
circuit. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/electricity.html
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Laws of Motion – friction vs. frictionless (try sliding down a hill on an ice block this summer);
inertia (reason for wearing a seat belt); skateboarding
http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/newton/newton.html;
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_friction.html;
http://www.exploratorium.edu/skateboarding/
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Tools increase force without increasing effort – screwdriver, wrench, crowbar, pulleys,
wheelbarrow http://www.edheads.org/activities/odd_machine/index.shtml;
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/forces/simplemachines/grownups.weml
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Baseball – Why does a curve ball curve? How to hit a home run?
http://science.kqed.org/quest/files/imp/112a_physicsofbaseball.pdf
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Play “Will it float?” then try to figure out why it floats or why it didn’t float
http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/pdf/lesson_plan14.pdf
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Kites and paper airplanes – experiment with designs and record the results
http://www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/; http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kite-Out-of-aPlastic-Bag; http://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-make-a-kite.html
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Even a trip to Elitches – roller coasters and other rides are combinations of potential and kinetic
energy http://www.superchargedscience.com/documents/RollerCoasterPhysics.pdf;
http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster;
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster.htm;
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/amusement-park-physics/a/1411/;
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/
http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/amuse_park_physics.pdf
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Look for ways the metric system is used. http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/568
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Find average speed by dividing distance by time whether it’s a walk to the park, a bike ride, a car
trip, or traveling by plane
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Watch Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/games/central.html
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Look for ideas for a science fair project (online search for: Science Fair Projects)
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Visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden http://www.nrel.gov/;
Note: Denver Public Schools provides these websites as a suggestion for additional content and does not
assume responsibility for the quality or content provided.
Core Question 2:
What will my child learn throughout the year during 8th grade physical
science?
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Scientists believe that all events can be explained in terms of interactions between objects.
Scientists study interactions through observations and experimentation to determine properties
of objects and the nature of interactions.
Scientists can describe, analyze, and explain interactions by considering the energy transferred
between objects.
Despite changes that often occur during interactions, some things remain the same. During
interactions in closed systems, total mass and energy stay the same.
Scientists classify materials by their characteristic properties and interactions. When two
materials interact and a new material is formed, it is called a chemical interaction; otherwise, it
is a physical interaction.
Scientists use models to help them think about things at scales too small or large to observe
directly or with tools that extend the senses. The Small Particle Theory is a powerful model for
thinking about matter and how it interacts with other matter.
Scientists use the Small Particle Theory to understand what is happening to the mass and energy
of chemical systems during chemical reactions.
Scientists can describe, analyze, and explain interactions by considering forces between objects,
such as gravitational forces between Earth and other objects.
Inquiry involves engaging in scientifically oriented questions, giving priority to evidence in
responding to questions, formulating explanations based on evidence, connecting explanations
to scientific knowledge, and communicating and justifying explanations.
The development of scientific knowledge is based on questioning current knowledge, using
empirical facts to develop logical theories, and verifying observations and claims.
Core Question 3:
How do I monitor my child’s progress and learning throughout the year? What
resources can I use in order to do this?
Check your child’s science notebook. Is it organized? Does it appear to be complete? (i.e.: question,
hypothesis/prediction, data usually recorded in a table, conclusion) Do you understand what is in it? Are
statements clear? Are conclusions backed up with the evidence (data) collected?
Talk with your child about the notebook. Ask him/her to tell you about the experiment. Ask him/her to
explain what was learned.
Ask the teacher for vocabulary lists. Make study cards with the word on one side and its definition,
picture, and/or use in context on the other side. Your child will be more inclined to use them if you also
participate. You can play a classic matching game by making another set of cards with the vocabulary
word on one card and its definition on another card. Mix/shuffle the cards, place them print side down
on a flat surface, take turns flipping pairs of cards over trying to make matches.
For games, visit the student section of the text’s website http://cpucips.sdsu.edu/interactionsinfo/
Volunteer to assist in the classroom with experiments or in the afternoons with lab preparations and/or
clean-up.
Do you or someone you know have expertise in any of the specific subjects being studied (like
electricity, chemistry, investigating traffic accidents, etc.)? Volunteer to present a real-world application
to the classroom.
Projects: check your child’s “planner/agenda” regularly to keep from being surprised by a due date at
the last-minute; assist your child in developing a plan to complete the project on time; use materials
that are free or inexpensive and easily accessible; and show interest in the project but try to avoid
becoming so involved that you end-up doing it. If a presentation is required, ask your child to practice
giving their presentation to you.
Some science websites are: http://www.brainpop.com/;
http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websitesforkids/tp/science_websites.htm;
http://www.edheads.org/; http://science.discovery.com/; http://www.exploratorium.edu/;
http://www.physics4kids.com/