Roselle School District
Mathematics Curriculum
Grade 8 Unit 2: Scientific Notation and Exponents
Essential Question(s)
How can writing equations help you solve real world problems?
What is scientific notation?
How can you solve expressions and equations with radicals and
integer exponents?
Enduring Understanding(s)
Scientific notation allows you to express a large number as a number
with two factors, one factor is greater than or equal to 1 and less
than 10 and the other factor is a base 10 with an exponent.
Exponents have specific properties that you utilize when solving
expressions and equations with exponents.
Summative Assessment Task
See attached Microsoft word document
Common Core Standards, 2010
Expressions and Equations Work with radicals and integer exponents

8. EE.1. Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. For example, 32 × 3–5 = 3–3 = 1/33 =
1/27.

8. EE.3. Use numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times a whole-number power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities,
and to express how many times as much one is than the other. For example, estimate the population of the United States as 3 times 108 and the
population of the world as 7 times 109, and determine that the world population is more than 20 times larger.

8. EE.4. Perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are
used. Use scientific notation and choose units of appropriate size for measurements of very large or very small quantities (e.g., use millimeters
per year for seafloor spreading). Interpret scientific notation that has been generated by technology.

W8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts and information through the selection, organization, and
analysis of relevant content.
Learning
Expectations
TLWBAT…
Simplify numerical
expressions with zero
and negative
exponents.
Understand and
apply the properties
of integer exponents
to simplify to
equivalent
expressions.
(Product rule;
Quotient rule; Power
rule)
Activities/Resources
Student
Strategies/Modifications/
Differentiation
Formative
Assessments
Technology Infusion
Introduction: Do Now activity
Students will be given a problem: 5 + 5 + 5 +
5. They will be asked the following
question: Is there a simpler expression for
the sum of the above sum. Students will be
given suggestions such 4 x 5. Explanation
will be given for the concept of repeated
addition (how it can be simplified by
multiplication). Therefore when given 5 x 5
x 5 x 5, it can be simplified with exponents
Small group instruction
Review of printed notes from
smart board. Activities
completed in small group for
more of an understanding
Exit ticket
Compare 3 x 2, 32 , and
23
Write Out Race:
http://www.ehow.com/list_
5914311_activitiesexponents.html
(modified activity)
Prior to lesson (if applicable)
Write Out Race:
http://www.ehow.com/list_5914311_activit
ies-exponents.html (modified activity)
Dice Exponentiation
http://www.ehow.com/list_5914311_activit
ies-exponents.htmln:
Individualized instruction
Journal entry
Explain the difference
between (-52 ) and -52
Peer tutoring
Team up stronger math skills
with lower math skills
Do now
Introduction question
LOTI PODs
Use of manipulatives
Dice
Counters
Reference sheets
Classroom posters
Quiz
Exponent quiz
Computer activities for
remediation
Guided lesson:
Students will learn to simplify expressions
with exponents such as34 . Point out the
base, the exponent, and the power. Show
them how to simplify the power.
Choice activities/Chunking
information
Students can be given counters (if needed).
Ask students to divide the counters into 4
equal groups and to write and addition
expression that represents the grouping.
Then students will write a multiplication
Rephrasing of questions
Red robin questionnaire
Review discussion
Math stations
Study island questions
Video tutorials from textbook
Test
Summative Assessment
Properties of
Exponents
Oral questioning
IEP modification
Minute paper
100 exponents of
positive and negative
exponents
One-sentence summary
Tell why an integer
raised to the negative
exponent can never be
Dice Exponentiation
http://www.ehow.com/list_
5914311_activitiesexponents.htmln:
Understanding Exponents:
Presentations in Power
Point Format:
http://www.freeclubweb.co
m/powerpoints/math/expo
nents.html
Greater Than Less Than
Gamehttp://www.softschoo
ls.com/mathg.jsp
Interactive – Compute
exponents:
http://www.scienceacadem
y.com/BI/
Exponent Matching Game:
http://www.studystack.com
/matching-14392
Evaluate Integers with
expression that represents the same
grouping, and then an expression with an
exponent.
Independent practice:
Create Google site or Wiki Page for various
math interactive games (located in the
technology infusion section)
greater than 1.
Homework
Holt McDougal
worksheets
Worksheets created by
teachers
Stations work
Practice problems from Holt McDougal
worksheets displayed on math stations.
Study Island questions and create a unique
assessment on this website.
Day 2/3:
Before introducing students to properties of
exponents, review what an exponent is.
Write an expression such as 35 on the
board. Have students identify the base and
the exponent. Ask them for a step-by-step
explanation of how to simplify the
expression using multiplication.
Guided practice:
Students learn to apply the properties of
exponents and to evaluate the zero
exponent. Help students discover the
property of 𝑏 𝑚 𝑥 𝑏 𝑛 = 𝑏 𝑚+𝑛 by having them
write several expressions in expanded form.
Do the same for the division property.
Independent practice:
Create Google site or Wiki Page for various
math interactive games (located in the
technology infusion section)
Practice problems from Holt McDougal
Exponents Game:
http://www.aaastudy.com/
exp-int-eval-exp.htm
www.studyisland.com
worksheets displayed on math stations.
Write numbers in
scientific and
standard notation.
Use scientific
notation.
Compare quantities
in scientific notation.
Study Island questions and create a unique
assessment on this website.
Introduction:
Give the students the distance of the moon
to earth. Show them the standard form of
this distance and then the scientific
notation. Allow students to then find the
scientific notation of all the planets (if
applicable).
Students will be shown how to multiply by a
power of ten by moving the decimal point
to the right the number of spaces equal to
the exponent and then adding zeros.
Guided Practice:
Students learn to express large and small
numbers in scientific notation. Students will
show how to convert scientific notation to
standard notation. Review how to multiply
by a power of ten by moving the decimal
point to the left or the right. Move the
decimal point to the right for a positive
exponent and to the left for a negative
exponent.
Discuss how to write numbers in standard
notation and in scientific notation. Show
students how to move the decimal so there
is only one digit in front of the decimal
point. Then, write the correct power of ten
by counting the number of decimal spaces
moved.
Independent practice:
Science application: cross curriculum
Small group instruction
Review of printed notes from
smart board. Activities
completed in small group for
more of an understanding
Individualized instruction
Peer tutoring
Team up stronger math skills
with lower math skills
Use of manipulatives
White boards
Dry erase markers
Reference sheets created by
special needs teacher
Index cards created by
student.
Computer activities for
remediation
Technology infusion
Chunking information
Standard form first then
convert the opposite way
Exit ticket
6 problems of standard
form and scientific
notation
Scientific Notation –
Converting Game:
http://janus.astro.umd.edu/
cgi-bin/astro/scinote.pl
Journal entry
If two numbers are
written in scientific
notation, how can you
tell which number is
greater?
Scientific Notation –
Jeopardy Game:
http://www.superteacherto
ols.com/jeopardy/usergame
s/Apr201016/game1271859
395.php
Do now
LOTI PODs
Converting Large Numbers
into Scientific Notation
Game:
http://www.xpmath.com/fo
rums/arcade.php?do=play&
gameid=21
Quiz
Scientific notation quiz
Problem solving quiz
Test
Summative assessment
Chapter 4 midpoint test
Oral questioning
IEP recommendation
Working with partner
Minute paper
Scientific notation
conversions
Video tutorials from textbook
Homework
Jeopardy game
King Kong game
http://www.quia.com/quiz/
382466.html?AP_rand=118
4631829
Jeopardy Game
http://www.quia.com/cb/1
76061.html
Students will create a collage of real world
science applications in which they must find
the standard form of a given scientific
notation or convert from a scientific
notation to standard form for any science
application. Once they solve each problem,
they will create a collage with pictures and
show it on a poster board.
Use models created in science class of the
solar system in which they will add the
scientific notations for each planet’s
distance.
Create a “diameter line” of various
diameters of blood cells (white, red),
platelets, and plasma and put them in order
from least to greatest.
Perform operations
with numbers
expressed in scientific
notation (addition,
subtraction,
multiplication and
division).
Order and compare
numbers in scientific
notation.
Interpret scientific
notation that has
been generated by
technology or real life
Can also use various particles and their
speed.
Introduction:
Pre-Assessment: if applicable
Pre-assessment determines if students can
use scientific notation to express large
numbers and positive numbers less than
one. Students demonstrating a lack of
familiarity, exposure or understanding of
these topics may require scaffolding to
ensure success with the content presented
in this lesson.
Distribute Attachment A, What I Know
about Scientific
Notation, and have students complete the
exercises. Allow calculators as a resource for
students who demonstrate difficulty writing
numbers in scientific notation.
Small group instruction
Review of printed notes from
smart board. Activities
completed in small group for
more of an understanding
Exit ticket
Explain your thinking
exit pass
Do now
LOTI PODs
Individualized instruction
Peer tutoring
Team up stronger math skills
with lower math skills
Use of manipulatives
White boards
Dry erase markers
Reference sheets created by
special needs teacher
Quiz
Scientific notation with
operations
National debt Quiz
Test
Summative assessment
Oral questioning
IEP recommendation
Multiplying Numbers
written in Scientific
Notation:
www.AAAmath.com
Dividing Scientific Notation
Problems:
http://www.aaastudy.com/
g8_71ox1.htm#pgtp
Comparing and Ordering
numbers in Scientific
Notation: Instructional
Video
http://www.phschool.com/
atschool/academy123/engli
sh/academy123_content/wl
problems.
Monitor students as they complete the
exercises, making notes of common errors
and students who do not demonstrate the
ability to write numbers in scientific
notation. Assist students and ask clarifying
questions as needed.
Index cards created by
student.
Computer activities for
remediation
Technology infusion column
Video tutorials from textbook
Guided Practice:
Smart board activity with various examples
given in order to demonstrate operations
with scientific notation.
Instructional Procedures for Independent
practice:
1. Complete the pre-assessment activity.
2. Distribute Multiplying Numbers Written in
Scientific Notation, Attachment. Assign
Exercises one through six. Model exercises
to clarify procedures and make conjectures
about the connection between whole
numbers and numbers written in scientific
notation. All work can be shown on white
boards or graph paper for special writing.
Direct pairs of students to complete
exercises seven to 11 on Attachment,
Multiplying Numbers Written in Scientific
Notation. Observe students and provide
individual support to pairs having difficulty.
Observe students making accurate
conjectures and call on those students
during the whole-class discussion. Facilitate
a whole-class discussion. Elicit the correct
answers along with the correct conjectures
from the students.
6. Have students use scientific notation to
find the area of their desktop and the
classroom.
-book-demo/ph-245s.htmln:
Minute paper
5 problems of division
and 5 of multiplication
Homework
Stations work (jeopardy
game)
a. Review the formula for finding area.
b. Ask students which metric unit of
measurement would be reasonable for
measuring the desk. (centimeters)
c. Tell students to use measurement tools to
find the length and width of their desktop
and calculate the area. Record the
measurements in scientific notation.
d. Direct students to discuss with a partner
the following questions:
• What is the area of the desktop using
millimeters as the measurement unit?
Kilometers?
• How can scientific notation be used to
solve the problems?
e. Ask students to share their responses to
the questions and summarize a procedure
for students to convert measurement units,
using scientific notation
Jeopardy game with various problems given
for group work.