NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide
Physical Science
Grade 8
Nelhuebel, Perry, Price
Last Updated: April 2012
Course Description
The Physical Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea
that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of
science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with
observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of
new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential
consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.
The Physical Science standards stress an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. The
standards place considerable emphasis on the technological application of physical science principles. Major areas covered by the standards
include the organization and use of the periodic table; physical and chemical changes; nuclear reactions; temperature and heat; sound; light;
electricity and magnetism; and work, force, and motion.
The Physical Science standards continue to build on skills of systematic investigation with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials.
Validating conclusions using evidence and data becomes increasingly important at this level. Students will plan and conduct research involving
both classroom experimentation and literature reviews from written and electronic resources. Research methods and skills highlight practical
problems and questions. Students will share their work using written reports and other presentations and will continue to use metric units (SI –
International System of Units) as the primary unit of measurement for gathering and reporting data.
Revised on: April 2012
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
Semester 1
Estimated
Enduring Understandings
Time
Unit Title: Unit 01 Nature of Science and Matter
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16
Blocks
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Scientists study and compare
organisms, places, ideas,
events and relationships to
make sense of the world
Scientists ask questions,
collecting evidence, and
analyzing/interpreting
evidence to answer
questions, solve problems,
and or make decisions.
Objects are made of the
same basic particles, but
they combine in different
ways to make materials with
a variety of physical/chemical
properties.
Visual, observable behavior
& properties may be very
different from the behavior
and properties of the
particles @ nanoscale.
Essential Questions
 How does technology help us
study and compare organisms,
places, ideas, events and
relationships to make sense of
the world?
 How is evidence used to solve
problems and make decisions?
 How have models been used
to understand atomic structure
& behavior of materials and
how/why has that
understanding changed?
 To what extent does
understanding fission & fusion
help us solve problems and
make decisions?
Topics
Standards
 Lab safety & Scientific
investigations & Science projects
 Measuring (SI Units) and
interpreting data
 History of atomic theory
 Particle nature of matter & atomic
structure
 States of Matter: Solids, liquids,
gas, & plasma and phase changes.
 Mass, volume, & density
 Characteristics of matter - Physical
properties; (density, solubility, odor,
melting point, boiling point, color,
shape) and Chemical properties:
(acidity, basicity, combustibility,
reactivity )
 Periodic table - introduction
 Elements, compounds, mixtures,
solutions (heterogeneous,
homogeneous)
 Classification of compounds –
organic, Inorganic, acids, bases,
salts & pH
 Modern atomic structure at
nanoscale
PS.1 a-n
PS.3 a-b
PS.2 a-f
Revised on: April 2012
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
Estimated
Enduring Understandings
Time
Unit Title: Unit 02 Chemistry
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15
Blocks
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Essential Questions
Matter undergoes chemical  What rules define how
and physical changes but
scientists use the periodic
mass and energy are
table as a tool?
conserved in a closed
 How does studying cause and
system
effect help us understand
Chemical changes can be
changes in matter and energy?
described with equations
Nuclear reactions change
small amounts of matter into
energy
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Topics
Standards
Neutral atoms, ions, isotopes
Organization and use of Periodic
Table
Classification of elements into
families/groups and periods
Metals, Metalloids, & Nonmetals
Nature of bonding (Ionic &
Covalent)
Symbols and formulas
Write and Balance Chemical
Equations
Law of Conservation of Matter
Physical Changes
Chemical changes
Nuclear Reactions
Endothermic & exothermic
reactions
PS. 1 a–n
PS. 4 a–c
PS.5 a-c
Revised on: April 2012
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
Estimated
Enduring Understandings
Time
Unit Title: Unit 03 Energy and Transformations

11
Blocks

Matter and energy can be
described and changed in a
variety of ways.
Scientists manipulate matter
and energy in order to affect
the world around them.
Essential Questions
Topics
 How can you recognize,
analyze and communicate
energy transfer and it’s
applications?
 How do the principles of
thermal energy apply to the
nature of science?
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2
Blocks
Review & Testing
Review & Testing
1.
Standards
States and Forms of energy –
kinetic, potential (mass, velocity,
position); radiant, thermal,
chemical, electrical, mechanical,
nuclear
Transformation of energy
Temperature & thermal energy
Conduction, convection, radiation &
applications of thermal energy
transfer
Celsius & Kelvin temperature
scales & absolute zero
Phase changes & energy transfer –
F.P., M.P, B.P., vaporization,
condensation
Heat, temperature and particle
motion
PS.1 a-n
PS.5 c
PS.6 a-b
PS.7a-d
Review & Testing
Revised on: April 2012
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
Ssemester 2 (37 Blocks)
Estimated
Enduring Understandings
Time
 Unit Title: Unit 04 Motion, Forces, Work
13
Blocks

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Newton used a variety
of formulas to describe
motion.
Graphs are a picture of
the relationship
between time and
motion.
Essential Questions
 How are work, force,
and motion related to
everyday life?
 How do machines make
work easier?
Standar
ds
Topics
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Newton’s laws of Motion
Work, force, mechanical advantage
Efficiency & power
Applications of work, force, & motion
Speed, velocity, acceleration
Force, mass, weight,
Machines, effort, friction, output
PS.10a-d
Unit Title: Unit 05 Electricity and Magnetism
9 Blocks
 Electricity is related to
magnetism
 There are many
applications of
electricity and
magnetism
 How has understanding
electromagnetic theory
changed over time and
affected our lives?
 To what extent is a
magnetic field related to
an electric current & vice
versa?
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Estimated
Enduring Understandings
Time
Unit Title: Unit 06 Waves, Light, & Sound
Static & current Electricity
Insulators, conductors, semi-conductors
Series and parallel circuits
Magnetic fields & how they can be used
construct simple circuits to determine the
relationship between voltage, resistance,
current
Motors, generators, electromagnets, and
other applications of electromagnetic
technology
Transistors, solar cells, diodes, & LEDs,
Friction, resistance, and heat
Essential Questions
Topics
PS.11a-d
Standards
Revised on: April 2012
NNPS Curriculum Pacing Guide – Physical Science
Estimated
Time
11 Blocks
4-11
Blocks
Enduring Understandings
 Waves exhibit certain
characteristics that
impact every aspect of
our world.
 How does
understanding wave
characteristics explain
the behavior of light,
and sound?
Essential Questions
Topics
Standards
 Wavelength, frequency, speed, amplitude,
rarefaction, compression, and interference
of waves
 Resonance and technological applications
of sound (ultrasound)
 Sound & longitudinal waves - Mechanical
waves
 Light and transverse waves, vacuum
 Lenses, mirrors & images – plane, concave,
convex
 Electromagnetic spectrum
 Technological applications of light
 Reflection, refraction, absorption,
transmission, emission (energy transfer)
 Diffraction, interference, convergence,
divergence,
Review & Test
Please check with your school administrator to see when the SOL test is
scheduled and adjust this review time accordingly.
PS. 8 a-d
PS. 9 a-e
6th. 1-9
LS. 1-14
PS. 1-11
Revised on: April 2012