8th Grade Science
Course Objective: Expand your horizons!
Understand the large expanse of Space and Time and how it works!
Discuss with your lab group
How old is the Earth?
How old is the Universe?
How big is the Universe?
How small is an atom?
Expectations for Lab Table Discussion
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Three and then me.
Group Voices
Stay seated at your table.
If you are comfortable with the answer, do not give out the
answer immediately.
Like This
Not like this
ANSWERS
Age of the Earth: 4.6 Billion Years
Age of the Universe: 13.7 Billion Years Old
How big is the universe?
There are people who believe the universe is
infinite with an infinite number of stars and
galaxies. There are some very valid
mathematical explanations of why this can't be
true. However, as in many other theories of
the universe, we simply don't know.With the
most distant objects we can see, estimates
currently are that the universe is over 156
billion light years across. Some theories say
that the universe is expanding at close to the
speed of light, so we can't even conceive of
traveling to the edge of the universe to
measure it.
How big is an atom?
A:
A piece of dust is exactly half way between
the size of the Earth and an atom. A:
Atoms are pretty darn small. Their outer
boundaries are set up by moving
electrons, so they aren't well defined.
Their diminutive proportions coupled with
the fact that they don't have a definite
"surface" make assigning them a size
something of a challenge.
The helium atom is about 1 angstrom in
diameter. An angstrom is 10-10 meters, and
that means that there'd be something like
1010 atoms of helium in a meter. Picture a
pencil eraser. It isn't that big. Roughly 70
million atoms of helium could be lined up
in a row across the eraser. The largest
atoms are maybe 7 times larger than
helium. At that rate, there are maybe 10
million of those big guys in a line across
that eraser.
Scale of the Universe
• http://scaleofuniverse.com/
Course Objective: Cycles, Patterns and
Change in Nature
Course Objective: Cycles, Patterns and
Change in Nature
• Discussion: What are some of nature’s cycles?
Course Objective: Cycles, Patterns and
Change in Nature
• What are some
patterns you
see in Nature?
• Patterns in
Nature Video
8th Grade Science Topics
1st
Quarter
2nd
Quarter
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Chemistry
• Physics
3rd Quarter
• Geology
• Meteorology
• Biology
4th Quarter
• Environmental Science and Local Geology
Be
Prepared
Be
Prompt
Be
Polite
Be
Positive
Mrs. Cunningham’s Classroom Rules
Have a positive
attitude.
Follow teacher
directions the first
time you are
asked.
Be on task during
all work times.
Keep hands, feet
and objects to
yourself.
Use classroom
items as intended.
Leave the
classroom cleaner
than you found it.
Mrs. Cunningham’s Classroom Rules
Have a positive
attitude.
Keep hands, feet
and objects to
yourself.
Follow teacher
directions the first
time you are
asked.
Be on task during
all work times.
Use classroom
items as intended.
Leave the
classroom cleaner
than you found it.
• Class Begins
Classroom Routine
– Be in your assigned seat with the
following
• Science Journal
• Pen or Pencil
– Immediately Begin Do Now
Assignment
• 5 minutes prior to the end
of class
– Pack up
– Clean up your desk and throw
trash away and put pens and
pencils
– Wait by the door until
dismissed
• Dismissal
Classroom Layout
• Where to turn in Papers
• Class Assignments, Agenda
and Do Nows
• Timer
• Glue and Scissors
• Katrina the Pencil Sharpener
• Teacher Supplies
• Sink
• Science Journal File Cabinet
• Class computers
• Closet
Classroom Special Privileges
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Rolly Chairs
Couch
Lizards
Guinea Pigs
Do Now!
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Get started immediately when class begins
Time limit
Get your paper stamped daily
Ask for stamp in you were absent
Keep your paper in your science journal
Turn in on Thursday
10% of your grade
Do Now #_1__
#___!!!
Thunder
Name:_____________________
Monday Date:_________
Date:__7/23_______
You must write in complete sentences to get a
stamp. Stamps will be given out before the timer
rings. Use vocabulary words in your sentences..
Do Now!
Tuesday Date:_________
Wednesday Date:_________
Thursday Date:_________
Hall Pass
Get started immediately when class begins
Time limit
You must write in complete sentences.
Get your paper stamped daily
Ask for stamp in you were absent
Keep your paper in your science journal
Turn in on Thursday
Hall Pass can be used any time during the
week with teacher permission
10% of your grade
Journals and Binders
• Science Journals
– Daily note taking
– Table of Contents
– Do Nows
• Folder
– Labs
– Quizzes and Exams
– Study Guides
When is Science
Work due?
Grade Breakdown
Percentage
Participation and Attitude (Counts every day)
5%
Do Now(8-9)
10%
Science Journal (2)
10%
Homework/Classwork/Study Guides /
Movie Questions (6)
15%
Labs (6)
15%
Quizzes (2)
20%
Exams and Projects(2)
25%
Late Policy – All 8th grade
Late Items
Turned in by Due Date
100% of Grade Earned
Turned in no later than 3 days late
70% of Grade Earned
Strategies for Great Grades
• Check your grades online
weekly.
• Update calendar/agenda
daily.
• Assignments are posted on
the board
• When absent get makeup
work.
• Come to tutorials for help.
• Email me at
acunningham@nyos.org.
Expectations
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Be ready to learn
Have a good attitude
Be a team player
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Keep your focus on learning
Amy Cunningham
acunningham@nyos.org
8th Grade