Ms. McCarter's Science Page
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Ms. McCarter's Eboard |
Welcome to your 8th grade science class. In this class, your goal will be to
use the inquiry process to construct your own understanding of some of the major
concepts in the three main areas of science while engaging in relevant and
important activities.
Click on one of the following links to view the information for the unit.
Physical Science
-Part 1
-Part 2
-Part 3
Earth Science
-Part 1
-Part 2
-Part 3
Life Science
-Introduction
-Part 1
-Part 2
-Part 3
Properties of Matter Module (8 to 12 weeks)
In Part 1 of this unit, students will investigate density, phase change, heat and conservation of mass. Part 1 ends with an assessment in which students use measurements to determine the identity of a mystery object.
Part 2 is an investigation into mixtures and solutions. Students use melting and boiling points, filtration, evaporation and chromatography to determine some of the properties of the substance of a mixture.
Compounds, elements and chemical reactions are the subject of Part 3. The anchor Activity is an investigation of the relationship between the properties of substances and their uses in manufacturing.
Earth in Space Module (8 to 12 weeks)
In Part 1, students will investigate the relative sizes, motions and positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon. Shadows, phases, eclipses and seasons are used as evidence of these relationships.
Students begin Part 2 by considering the scale of the solar system. This is followed by investigations of phenomena within the systems such as cratering, orbital motion and tides. A reading series on NASA missions to each planet tie together the lesson.
In Part 3, students explore Earth’s history as a planet by investigating planetary change and fossils. The Anchor Activity addresses applications of space technology on Earth by investigating the concepts of the module and the Mission series.
Human Body Systems Module (8 to 10 weeks)
This module draws on middle school students’ natural curiosity about their bodies and how they work and directs them through investigations of four major body systems.
In Part 1, students trace nutrients as they are processed by the digestive system, pass into the blood and transported to body cells.
Part 2 is an exploration of the respiratory and circulatory systems.
Part 3 is about the musculoskeletal system and deals with the nature of joints and how muscles, bones and nerves work together. Diseases, proper nutrition, physical fitness and healthy care careers are explored through the Anchor Activity (a research project), reading selections and extension activities.
Page designed and created by Sarah Brimm, 2005.