Grade 8 Science Curriculum
Family-facing version of the grade 8 Science curriculum
Goals
The Grade 8 Physical Science standards stress an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. Major areas covered by the standards include the particle nature of matter; the organization and use of the periodic table; physical and chemical changes; energy transfer and transformations; properties of longitudinal and transverse waves; electricity and magnetism; and work, force, and motion. The standards build on skills of systematic investigation with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials. Validating conclusions with evidence and data becomes increasingly important at this level. Mathematics, computational thinking, and experiences in the engineering design process gain importance as students advance in their scientific thinking.
Throughout the year, student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by:
- Asking questions and defining problems.
- Planning and carrying out investigations.
- Interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data.
- Constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations.
- Developing and using models.
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Honors
Grade 8 Physical Science Honors provides students the opportunity to engage in more rigorous and complex content such as exposure to advanced readings, processes, products, and assessments that reflect their understanding of key concepts.
Quarterly Overview of Grade 8 Science
The objectives and outcomes for each unit are common across FCPS and based on the Virginia Standards of Learning. The pacing by quarter and by week provides an example of how the curriculum can be organized throughout the year. Teacher teams may adjust the pacing or order of units to best meet the needs of students.
Units and Details
Students will investigate and understand:
- Energy is conserved.
- Energy can be stored in different ways.
- Energy is transferred and transformed.
- Energy can be transformed to meet societal needs.
- Work, force, and motion are related.
- Motion can be described using position and time.
- Motion is described by Newton’s laws.
- There are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.
- An imbalance of charge generates static electricity.
- Materials have different conductive properties.
- Electric circuits transfer energy.
- Magnetic fields cause the magnetic effects of certain materials.
- Electric current and magnetic fields are related.
- Many technologies use electricity and magnetism.
Students will investigate and understand:
- Matter is composed of atoms.
- Our understanding of atoms has developed over time.
- The periodic table can be used to predict the chemical and physical properties of matter.
- The kinetic molecular theory is used to predict and explain matter interactions.
- Matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes.
- Pure substances can be identified based on their chemical and physical properties.
- Pure substances can undergo physical and chemical changes that may result in a change of properties.
- The periodic table is a model used to organize elements based on their atomic structure.
- Symbols, atomic numbers, atomic mass, chemical groups (families), and periods are identified on the periodic table.
- Elements are classified as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.
- There are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.
- Materials have different conductive properties.
Students will investigate and understand:
- Matter is composed of atoms.
- The kinetic molecular theory is used to predict and explain matter interactions.
- Matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes.
- Pure substances can undergo physical and chemical changes that may result in a change of properties.
- Compounds form through ionic and covalent bonding.
- Balanced chemical equations model the conservation of matter.
- Energy is conserved.
- Energy is transferred and transformed.
- There are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.
- Electric circuits transfer energy.
Students will investigate and understand:
- Waves are important in the movement of energy.
- Energy may be transferred in the form of longitudinal and transverse waves.
- Mechanical waves need a medium to transfer energy.
- Waves can interact.
- Energy associated with waves has many applications.
- Electromagnetic radiation has characteristics.
- Electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, has wave characteristics and behavior.
- Regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have specific characteristics and uses.
Assessments
Student assessments are part of the teaching and learning process.
- Teachers give assessments to students on an ongoing basis to
- Check for understanding.
- Gather information about students' knowledge or skills.
- Assessments provide information about a child's development of knowledge and skills that can help families and teachers better plan for the next steps in instruction.
For testing questions or additional information about how schools and teachers use test results to support student success, families can contact their children's schools.
In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), eighth grade tests focus on measuring content knowledge and skill development.
