8th GRADE Science
60-Day STAAR-Targeted Plan
January 20th – April 18th
SE Focus
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Jan 20
Jan 21
Review
District
Benchmark
TLW:
Review the
District
Benchmark.
8.9B,C
(B) relate plate
tectonics to the
formation of crustal
features;
(C) interpret
topographic maps
and satellite views to
identify land and
erosional features and
predict how these
features may be
reshaped by
weathering.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Jan 22
Jan 23
Jan 24
Topographic
Maps
Topographic
Maps
Topographic
Maps
TLW:
Explain the
natural events
that impact Earth
systems
TLW:
TLW:
TLW:
Interpret
Topographic
maps to identify
land
Interpret satellite
views to identify
land features
Vocabulary:
Canyons, deltas,
mountains,
rivers, islands,
topographic
maps,
weathering,
erosion
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip“Topographic
Maps”
Interpret satellite
views to identify
erosional features
and how these
features may be
reshaped by
weathering
Topographic
Maps
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Land
Forms”
Explain:
Edusmart
Explore:
FOSS- Land
Forms
Elaborate:
Create foldable
on the Earths
Layers
Evaluate:
Question and
Answer
Resources:
Homework:
Measuring Up-pg
104-105
Motivation Science
pg 101-104,
Textbook pg 692
Explain:
Edusmart
Explore:
Lab Aids-Making
& Interpreting
Topographic
Maps
Elaborate:
Lab Report
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Edusmart,
LabAids: Making &
Interpreting
topographic maps
Measuring Up-pg
104-105,
Motivation Science
pg 101-104,
Textbook pg 692
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip“Topographic
Maps”
Explain:
Edusmart
Explore:
Lab Aids-Using
remote sensing
to determine
topography
Elaborate:
Lab Report
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Edusmart,
LabAids:
Topography,
Remote Sensing,
Measuring Up-pg
104-105
Motivation Science
pg 101-104,
Textbook pg 692
TEA ActivityTopographic Map
on your knuckle
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip- “Weathering
& Erosion”
Explain:
Edusmart
Explore:
Topographic
Satellite Images
Evaluate:
Test-Topography,
Weathering &
Erosion
Resources:
Edusmart,
Topographic
Satellite Images
Measuring Up-pg
104-105,
Motivation Science
pg 101-104,
Textbook pg 692
Jan 27
Plate
Tectonics
TLW:
Describe
historical
development of
evidence that
supports plate
tectonic theory.
Explain
continental drift
8.9A,B
Vocabulary:
Plate Tectonics,
Lithosphere,
Asthenosphere,
Continental Drift,
Oceanic trench,
Convergent,
Divergent,
Subduction,
Pangaea
(A) describe the
historical
development of
evidence that
supports plate
tectonic theory;
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Plate
Tectonics”
(B) relate plate
tectonics to the
formation of crustal
features;
Explain:
EdusmartEffects of plate
tectonics
Explore:
LWS-Plate
Tectonics
Elaborate:
Create Pangaea
Activity
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Edusmart
Measuring Up-pg
95-96, 99-101
Motivation
Science-91-94
Pangaea Activity
Jan 28
Jan 29
Plate
Tectonics
Plate
Tectonics
Plate
Tectonics
TLW:
Explain Fossil and
Rock Correlation
that supports
plate tectonic.
TLW:
Explain Sea Floor
spreading that
supports plate
tectonic.
TLW:
Explain magnetic
stripping and
Harry Hess that
supports plate
tectonic.
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Plate
Tectonics”
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Sea Floor
Spreading”
Explain:
Edusmart-Effects
of plate tectonics
Explain:
Edusmart-Effects
of plate tectonics
Explore:
LWS-Plate
Tectonics
Explore:
Sea Floor
Spreading
Activity
Elaborate:
Lab Report
Activity
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Edusmart
Measuring Up-pg
95-96, 99-101
Motivation Science91-94
Pangaea Activity
Elaborate:
Lab Report on
Activity
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Jan 30
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Magnetic
stripping”
Explain:
Edusmart-Effects
of plate tectonics
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Edusmart
Measuring Up-pg
95-96, 99-101
Motivation Science91-94
Pangaea Activity
Jan 31
Plate
Tectonics
TLW:
Explain magnetic
stripping and
Harry Hess that
supports plate
tectonic.
Engage:
Discovery
Education Video
Clip on “Magnetic
stripping”
Explain:
Edusmart-Effects
of plate tectonics
Explore:
Sea Floor
Spreading
Activity
Elaborate:
Lab Report on
Activity
Evaluate:
Quiz, Question
and Answer
Resources:
Resources:
Edusmart
Measuring Up-pg
95-96, 99-101
Motivation Science91-94
Pangaea Activity
Measuring Up-pg
95-96, 99-101
Motivation Science91-94
Pangaea Activity
Edusmart
8.7A,B
(A) model and
illustrate how the
tilted Earth rotates
on its axis, causing
day and night, and
revolves around the
Sun causing changes
in seasons;
(B) demonstrate and
predict the sequence
of events in the lunar
cycle;
8.7B,C
(B) demonstrate and
predict the sequence
of events in the lunar
cycle;
(C) relate the
position of the Moon
and Sun to their
effect on ocean tides.
Feb 3
Feb 4
Feb 5
Feb 6
Feb 7
Day/Night &
Seasons
Day/Night &
Seasons
Day/Night &
Seasons
Day/Night &
Seasons
Day/Night &
Seasons
Engage: Why do
we have day
and night? Why
do we have
seasons?
Explore/Explain:
Handout-Reason
for the Seasons,
Handout-Sun,
Earth, Moon
model
Explore/Explain:
Handout-Reason
for the Seasons,
Handout-Sun,
Earth, Moon
model
Elaborate:
Handout-Duration
of Sunlight and
Seasons p.11
Evaluate: “How it
Works” Explain
and illustrate the
Earth, moon
phases, and the
reason for the
seasons.
Feb 13
Feb 14
Vocabulary:
rotational axis,
autumnal
equinox, vernal
equinox, rotate,
revolve,
summer
solstice, winter
solstice, axis,
counter
clockwise
*Resources:
Edusmart and
LWS
DSM module
Textbook p. 93
Feb 10
Feb 11
Feb 12
Moon Phases
& Tides
Moon Phases
& Tides
Moon Phases
& Tides
Engage: Put a phase
of moon on screen.
Ask student if they
have ever seen the
moon look like this.
Explore: Lunar Pops
Handout
Vocabulary: tides,
waxing, waning,
New moon, full
moon, lunar eclipse,
solar eclipse, Spring
tide, Neap tide
Textbook p. 481-485
*Resources:
Edusmart and LWS
DSM kit
Birthday moon
handout
Explain: Explain why
we see different
phases of the moon.
Explain how the
phases of the moon
affect the tides.
Moon Phases
& Tides
Elaborate & Evaluate:
Write a “How it
Works” booklet to
explain and illustrate
the Earth, Sun and
Moon cycles include
day, night, seasons,
lunar phases,
eclipses, and tides.
Moon Phases
& Tides
Continue Elaborate &
Evaluate: Write a
“How it Works”
booklet to explain and
illustrate the Earth,
Sun and Moon cycles
include day, night,
seasons, lunar
phases, eclipses, and
tides.
Feb 17
8.10A,B,C
(A) recognize that
the Sun provides the
energy that drives
convection within the
atmosphere and
oceans, producing
winds and ocean
currents;
(B) identify how
global patterns of
atmospheric
movement influence
local weather using
weather maps that
show high and low
pressures and fronts;
(C) identify the role
of the oceans in the
formation of weather
systems such as
hurricanes.
Ocean &
Weather
Systems
Engage: Hurricane
clip-United
streaming. Ask why
do our oceans have
different
temperatures? Bean
boiling activity
Vocabulary:
convection currents,
ocean currents, Jet
stream, Gyres, Gulf
Stream, High and
low pressure, fronts,
Weather patterns:
La Nina, El Nino,
hurricanes, Tsunami,
Air mass, ocean
currents
Feb 18
Feb 19
Ocean &
Weather
Systems
Explore/Explain:
Weather maps“Create a weather
map” handout.
* Resources:
Mentoring Minds p.
131-134.
Motivation Science p.
111-114, 121-124.
Measuring Up p. 108110.
Feb 20
Ocean &
Weather
Systems
Ocean &
Weather
Systems
Explain: Explain the
different weather
symbols and weather
fronts. Explain air
masses and humidity.
Why does the Earth
have wind and ocean
currents? Weather
fronts handout. Ocean
Currents and Climate
handout.
Elaborate/ Evaluate:
Research and map
the national weather
for an Autumn day
and a Spring day,
indicating the location
of High and Low
pressure areas, warm
and cold fronts, jet
stream, and winds,
for those selected
days.
*
*
Edusmart and LWS
Feb 21
End of the Six
Weeks
Ocean &
Weather
Systems
Elaborate/ Evaluate:
Research and map
the national weather
for an Autumn day
and a Spring day,
indicating the location
of High and Low
pressure areas, warm
and cold fronts, jet
stream, and winds,
for those selected
days.
*
*
8.8E,A
(E) research how
scientific data are
used as evidence to
develop scientific
theories to describe
the origin of the
universe
(A) describe
components of the
universe, including
stars, nebulae, and
galaxies, and use
models such as the
Hertzsprung-Russell
diagram for
classification;
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 26
Components
of the
Universe
Components
of the
Universe
Components
of the
Universe
TLW:
Explain the
components of
the Universe
including stars,
nebulae, and
galaxies and use
models such as
the
HertzpsrungRussell diagram
for classification.
Explain:
Edusmart: 6th
Grade:
Components of
the Solar System
and
characteristics of
the Sun.
EduSmart 8th
Grade: Universe
Vocabulary:
Star, galaxy,
Elliptical, Spiral,
Irregular,
HertzsprungRussell diagram,
Nebulae, life
cycle
Engage:
The scale of the
Universe 2
(Interactive
Video)
http://www.htwi
ns.net/
Explore:
Birth and Death
of the Star flow
chart.
Students will
create their own
H-R Diagram.
Feb 27
Feb 28
Half a Day
Charro Day
Holiday
Holiday
Components
of the Universe
Elaborate:
Life Cycles of
Stars, Page 10b
HertzsprungRussell diagram.
Activity 2, pp 36
HertzprungRussell diagram
worksheet.
8.8A,D
(A) describe
components of the
universe, including
stars, nebulae, and
galaxies, and use
models such as the
Hertzsprung-Russell
diagram for
classification;
Mar 3
Mar 4
Mar 5
Mar 6
Mar 7
Components
of the
Universe
Components
of the
Universe
Universe
Distance and
Sizes
Universe
Distance and
Sizes
Universe
Distance and
Sizes
Elaborate:
Exploring the
Galaxies.
Motivation
Station Scientific
Fact pp35
Evaluate:
Motivation
Science, Unit 4,
pp 37-69
TLW:
Model and
describe how
light years are
used to measure
distances and
sizes in the
universe
Explain:
EduSmart 8th
Grade: Universe:
Distances and
Size and
Interactivity
 Copycat
worksheet
 What can
observing stars
tell us.
 HertzsprungRussell
diagram.
Activity 2, pp 36
 Life Cycles of
Stars, Page 10b
 Exploring the
Galaxies.
Motivation
Station
Scientific Fact
pp35
 Motivation
Science, Unit 4,
pp 37-69
(D) model and
describe how light
years are used to
measure distances
and sizes in the
universe;
8.8B,C
(B) recognize that the
Sun is a mediumsized star near the
edge of a disc-shaped
galaxy of stars and
that the Sun is many
thousands of times
closer to Earth than
any others
(C) explore how
different wavelengths
of the electromagnetic
spectrum such as
light and radio waves
are used to gain
information about
distances and
properties of
components in the
universe;
Resources:
Explore:
Birth and Death
of the Star flow
chart.
Vocabulary:
Light year
Engage: Youtube
Video: How far is
a light year?
Mar 17
Mar 18
Mar 19
Mar 20
Mar 21
Sun &
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Sun &
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Sun &
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Sun &
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Sun &
Electromagnetic
Spectrum
TLW:
Explain the
components of
the Universe
including stars,
nebulae, and
galaxies and use
models such as
the
HertzsprungRussell diagram
for classification.
Vocabulary:
Radio waves,
Infrared,
gamma, visible
light, ultraviolet,
x-rays,
microwave,
wavelength
Engage:
Solar Flares
Video Clips
Explain: Difference
between the
interior of the Sun
and the Earth
Explore:
Spectroscope Lab
Elaborate:
Evaluate:
Measuring Up:
Universe, pp 79-81
Motivation Science,
Unit 6, Guided
practice pp 57-60
Resources:

Spectroscope
Lab

Measuring Up:
Universe, pp
79-81

Motivation
Science, Unit
6, Guided
practice pp
57-60
Mar 24
Mar 25
Mar 26
Mar 27
Mar 28
8.11A, B, C, D
7.10B, C
7.11A, C
7.12B
6.12D
7.12D, F
7.14 B, C
Mar 31
Apr 2
8 grade
STAAR
Reading Test
Apr 3
Apr 4
8.7 A, B, C
6.11B
Apr 1
8 grade
STAAR Math
Test
8.8A, B, C, D
8.9A, B
8.9C
8.10A,B,C
7.8C
Review of all
Apr 7
Apr 8
Apr 9
Apr 10
Apr 11
Category 1
8.5A, B
8.5C
6.6A
6.5C
8.5D, E, F
7.6B
6.6B
7.5C
7.6A, B
Review of all
Category 4
Organisms &
Environments
Review of all
th
Category 3
th
Earth & Space
Matter &
Energy
End of the Six
Weeks
Review of all
Apr 14
Apr 15
Apr 16
Apr 17
Apr 18
Category 2
8.6A
6.8A
8.6B
6.8C, D
Reinforce Speed
8.6C
7.7A
6.9C
Good Friday
Holiday
Force, Motion,
& Energy