8th Grade Objectives for Earth Science
Bechmark Quiz #1: Sept. 20 – 24
Scientific Method, Measurement, & Metric System
1. Identify the six steps of the scientific method.
2. Identify the proper ways of setting up an experiment.**
3. Identify the metric units for length, mass, volume, weight, and
temperature.**
4. Introduce the proper steps of converting between metric units.
5. Identify common instruments used in a science lab.**
6. Identify dependent and independent variable in an experiment.**
7. Identify the prefixes used in the metric system.**
Basic Chemistry
8. Identify the parts of an atom.
9. Identify the charges of each part of an atom.
10. Demonstrate how to use the periodic table to identify the characteristics of
specific elements.
11. Identify both groups (families) and periods on the periodic table.
12. Identify the difference between covalent and ionic bonding.
13. Identify the basic parts of a chemical reaction & the Law of Conservation
of Matter. **
14. Compare & contrast the properties of chemical and physical changes. **
Benchmark Quiz #2: Nov. 1 – 5
Minerals
15. Identify the 5 criteria for the definition of a mineral.
16. Identify the 6 crystal systems.
17. Identify the processes that allow minerals to form.
18. Identify the physical properties used to identify minerals.
19. Identify the members of the Moh’s Hardness Scale and their hardness.
20. Identify other ‘special’ properties that help identify minerals.
The Rock Cycle & Rock Identification
21. Identify the processes involved in the rock cycle.**
22. Identify characteristics for classification of sedimentary rocks.
23. Identify characteristics for identification of sedimentary rocks.
24. Identify characteristics for classification of igneous rocks.
25. Identify characteristics for identification of igneous rocks.
26. Identify characteristics for classification of metamorphic rocks
27. Identify characteristics for identification of metamorphic rocks.
Benchmark Quiz #3: Dec. 13 – 16
Sedimentary Processes
28. Identify processes forming Sedimentary Rocks.
29. Explain how mechanical weathering and chemical weathering differ.**
30. Describe how weathering affects the Earth’s surface.**
31. Explain the importance of soil & how it is formed.
32. Explain the differences between erosion & deposition.**
33. Explain the affects of continental glaciation on the Earth throughout
history.**
34. Identify the causes of runoff.**
35. Identify three different stages of stream development.
36. Explain the importance of groundwater and how it dissolves/deposits
minerals.
Igneous & Metamorphic Processes
37. Identify the processes forming igneous rocks.**
38. Explain the differences between lava and magma.
39. Explain the differences between intrusive and extrusive processes.**
40. Identify the characteristics of the three types of volcanoes.**
41. Identify processes of metamorphism.**
Benchmark Quiz #4: Feb. 7 – 11
Plate Tectonics & Earthquakes
42. Describe the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
43. Identify the evidence which supports the Theory of Plate Tectonics.**
44. Identify the “original” single landmass of earth.
45. Identify the characteristics of the three types of plate boundaries.**
46. Explain the differences between faulting and folding.**
47. Explain how a seismograph is used to locate a earthquake epicenter and
its relation to the Richter scale.
Geologic History
48. Identify the major eras of Earth’s history.
49. Identify the major global catastrophic events (extinctions) of Earth’s
history. **
50. Explain the processes of radiometric dating.
51. Identify the conditions necessary for fossilization.**
52. Explain the principle of superposition.**
Benchmark Quiz #5: Apr. 4 – Apr. 8
Astronomy
53. Identify the differences between reflecting & refracting telescopes.
54. Apply Newton’s Laws of Motion & Universal Gravitation to the natural
world.**
55. Define rotation & revolution periods.
56. Explain the causes for the Earth’s seasons.
57. Identify the factors that cause the phases of the moon and eclipses.
58. Apply the Laws of Planetary Motion and Nebula Theory to the solar
system.**
59. Identify the characteristics of the planets & other objects in our solar
system.
60. Identify the concepts illustrated on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
61. Identify the processes of stellar evolution for different masses of stars.
62. Apply the Doppler Effect to explain the general movement of galaxies.
63. Explain the Big Bang Theory.
Benchmark Quiz #6: May 16 - 20
Meteorology
64. Identify the four main factors that cause weather.
65. Identify the protective traits of the Ozone layer.
66. Identify the abundant gases of the Earth’s atmosphere.
67. Identify the causes and effects of the greenhouse effect.
68. Identify the factors that cause air movement (wind.)
69. Identify the factors that cause changes in air pressure.
70. Identify the processes involved in the water cycle.
71. Identify the differences between the four types of fronts.
72. Identify the types of instruments & their uses in the field of meteorology.
Basic Physics
(These two objectives may be taught in any unit prior to April.)
 Motion of an object can be measured. The position of an object, its speed
and direction can be represented on a graph. **
 An object that is not being subjected to a net force will continue to move
at a constant velocity (in a straight line & constant speed.) **
** Denotes objectives specifically from the 8th grade Oklahoma PASS
objectives that will be tested in the framework of the April OCCT.
Revised 8 – 2010