th
Lesson Content Content Standard
Science Starters:
Articles, textbook, group participation, group teaching, writing assignments, quizzes, and review of coursework, class discussions
1.8.1 Opportunities to read and give instructions. Use groups to teach.
1.6.6 Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
Core Standard Assessment
WHST.6-8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences
Hand in science starters or check binders for completion of science starters. Assess knowledge of material through verbal and written feedback.
Week 1 - 2
Syllabus and Class
Procedures
Unit: What is science?
What is science? Notes
The Cycle of Science
Scientific Method
Kool-Aid Lab
Investigation
Apple Observation
Applying the scientific method
Mystery Boxes
Variables
Gobstopper Lab
1.6.1 Write questions that can be answered by conducting experiments
1.6.2 Conduct experiments using control and variables. Repeat using alternate variables
1.6.4 Use evidence to analyze data.
Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions and models
1.6.5 Test hypothesis based on observations.
1.6.6 Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
1.6.3 Select and use appropriate tools to gather data
WHST.6-8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
RST.6-8.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
Scientific Method Pretest
Self Description
Gobstopper Lab Write-Up
Scientific Method Quiz

Week 3-5
Metric System:
Metric Notes: standard vs. metric
Body Measurement
Airplane Lab
Mix and match mass lab
Volume Lab
Units: Meters, Grams, Liters
Conversions
Metric Practice Worksheet
Metric Mania Conversions
Gummy Bear Lab
1.3.2 Measure both US and Metric with emphasis on metric
1.2.1 Explain how observations and data are used as evidence on which to base scientific explanations and predictions.
1.6.3 Select and use appropriate tools to gather data
Metric System Pretest
White board game conversions
System Test
–
Metric System Quiz
Scientific Method and Metric
Week 6-11
Unit: Physical Science
Matter and elements:
Matter, Atoms, Particles notes
Parts of the atom and atom models
Physical vs. chemical change
-Mentos experiment
-Elephant Toothpaste
Experiment
Matter info sheet and crossword
2.1.2 Define the properties of matter
2.1.5 Explain physical change and how it relates to physical properties. ex. how molecules change when ice to liquid and water vapor
2.1.3 Compare densities of equal volumes of a solid, liquid, or gas.
2.1.4 Describe the effect of temperature on Density
2.1.1 Compare difference among elements, compounds, and mixtures
WHST.6-8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Matter and Element Pretest
Matter Quiz

Density notes and layering liquids lab
The Periodic Table of
Elements
Adopt an element project
Extra Credit: Conduct an
Experiment and Write up
Forces and motion:
Guest Speaker: ESER program, hands on activities in forces and motion
Motion Notes
Motion Math I and II
Average vs. Actual Velocity
Cyber Ed: Forces/Motion
Crash Test Dummies
Reading and Questionaire
Egg Drop Project
Newton’s Laws
Rocket Launch
Force Notes
Force Math
Bowling Ball Lab
Newton’s Ramp Lab
Rocket/Airplane Reading and
Questionaire
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
2.2.1 Describe the effects of different forces (gravity and friction) on movement, speed, and direction of object
1.2.2 Use observations to make inferences
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
1.3.1 Analyze changes that occur in and among systems . (forces and
Motion)
WHST.6-8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
Adopt an element project
Element Quiz
Forces and Motion Pretest
Forces and Motion Test

Unit: Life Science
Week 12-15
Organization
of Living things
Cells:
Cyber Ed: Cells
Cell Diagrams
Cell Part Functions
Osmosis Lab(Egg)
Whole cell catalog
Extra credit: Cell Model
Cell Theory/Timeline
Multicellular Notes
DNA modeling
Cyber Ed: Genes and Traits
7 levels of organization
Week 16-18
Plants
Plants Notes
Flower dissection
Plant Venn diagram
Flower Structure and
Reproduction
Leaf anatomy
Extra Credit: Leaf Model
Help Wanted worksheet
-Lorax Movie and writing assignment
3.3.2 Analyze the structural difference between plant and animal cells
3.3.1 Identify different levels which an organisms comprised (cells, tissues,organs,organ systems, and organisms
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
1.5.1 Analyze how the shape or form of an object or system is frequently related to its us and or function
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
1.5.1 Analyze how the shape or form of an object or system is frequently related to its us and or function
1.1 Analyze different systems.
5.1.1 Identify issues for environmental studies (Lorax
Movie)
WHST.6-8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes
Cell and Multi-cellular Pretest
Cell Part Quiz
Multi-cellular Test
Plants Pretest
Plant Unit Test

Week 19-24
Body Systems
Tissue:
Skin Worksheet
Stem Cell Research
Micro-viewer Tissue Lab
Skeletal:
Skull diversity lab
Skeletal System Notes
Skeletal System Diagram
Human Machine Video
Meet at the joint worksheet
Muscular:
Human Body Video
Muscular system notes
Muscular System Diagram
Pump it up lab
Digestive:
Digestive system Notes
Digestive system diagram
Owl pellet dissection lab
The bacteria inside my gut article and questionnaire
Circulatory:
Circulatory system notes
Circulatory system diagram
Earthworm dissection lab
Respiratory:
Respiratory System Notes
Respiratory System diagram
Take a breath lab
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
3.3.1 Identify different levels which an organisms comprised (cells, tissues,organs,organ systems, and organisms
1.5.1 Analyze how the shape or form of an object or system is frequently related to its us and or function
1.1.1 Analyze different systems.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Body Systems Pretest
Tissue Quiz
Skeletal System Quiz
Muscular System Quiz
Digestive System Quiz
Circulatory System Quiz
Respiratory System Quiz

Excretory:
Excretory System Notes
Excretory System Diagram
The Great Water Equation
Lab
Week 25-28
Genetics
How cancer works article and questionnaire
Chromosome Notes
Rules of Heredity
Genetic Practice Problems
How to use a punnett sgaure
Punnett square practice
Frogguts Genetics: computer lab
Understanding Pedigree
Charts
M&M Lab on heredity
Patterns of inheritance
Design a kid activity
Make a family pedigree chart
3.3.3 Describe how traits are passed from parents to offspring
1.6.3 Select and use appropriate tools to gather data
1.2.2 Use observations to make inferences
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
Week 29-35
Unit: Earth Science
What is Earth Science notes
3D Model Project
Water cycle:
Water cycle notes
Water cycle diagram
Weather:
Weather Notes
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
4.1.1 Explain the interactions among the solid earth, oceans, atmosphere, and organisms
RST.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domainspecific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
Excretory System Quiz
Body System Unit Test
Genetics Pretest
Genetic Quiz
Genes and Traits Unit Test
WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a selfgenerated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
Water and Weather Pretest
3D Model project
Water Cycle Quiz

Types of clouds
The cloud case lab
Cloud in a bottle lab
Sizing up a cloud lab
Forecasting the Weather
Hurricane Tracking
Storm Data Graph
Science or superstition article and questionnaire
Oceanography and Plate
Tectonics:
Oceanography notes
Ocean Current map
Nike Shoes I and II
Exploring the gulf stream
Ocean Floor Features
Ocean Floor Profile Map
Earthquakes/Volcanoes
Notes
Plate Tectonics notes
4.1.2 Explain the Water Cycle and relationship to weather and climate
4.1.3 Identifiy Cumulus, cirrus, and stratus clouds and how they relate to weather changes
5.2.2 Describe how science and technology are interelated
5.2.1 Describe how science and technology are interelated. (usu space lab)
Week 36
Unit: Environmental
Science
Dumptown Game in lab
Cookie miners lab
GM’s High Act Article and
Questionnaire
1.2.3 Use models to explain or demonstrate concept.
5.3.1 Explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources
5.2.2 Describe how science and technology are interelated (weather
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually
(e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
Weather Test
Oceanography
And Plate Tectonics Pretest
Oceanography Quiz
Plate Tectonics Quiz