Course: 8th Grade Science

Unit 1:​ Waves

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​PS4-1​, ​PS4-2

Goals for Morning Work:

✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ PRE-Test
✓ Post Test​ (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard PS4-1

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Describe how frequency corresponds to pitch, Exit/Entrance ticket

or amplitude corresponds to sound volume

● Identify if the height of a wave is doubled, it Exit/Entrance ticket

will have four times the energy

● Identify if waves hit twice as frequently, twice Exit/Entrance ticket

as much energy is transferred

● Draw different wave types Whiteboard

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Describes waves with both qualitative and quantitative thinking.
Students will be given graphical wave information and be able to describe the wavelength, amplitude, and
frequency.
Quiz
 Standard PS4-2

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Compare and contrast each (matter/light). Plickers/Kahoot

● Identify and describe characteristics of a Whiteboards

wave (frequency, wavelength, and
amplitude).

● Identify relationships between components Exit Ticket - Venn Diagram

(reflection, absorption, transmission) of a
model of a wave.

● Describe why certain materials with certain Think - Pair - Share

properties are better suited for various wave
interactions.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Model and describe reflection, refraction, absorption, and transmission using
different materials and/or drawings.
Quiz

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LXK06hRk2AlD-tgPBkeQ9zU_7YpdY-3qaoOH3ROGxGk/edit

Standard PS4-3

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Describe how digitized signals are a more Close Reading/ Exit Ticket
reliable way to encode and transmit
information.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Unit 2: ​Force and Motion

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​PS2-1​, ​PS2-2​, and ​PS3-3

Goals for Morning Work:

✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ PRE-Test
✓ Post Test​ (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard PS2-1

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Draw a simple vector. Whiteboards

● Draw force diagrams. Whiteboards

● Balance forces in a simulation. Phet Simulations/Assignment

● Identify each of Newton’s three laws. Exit Ticket/Plickers

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Students will be able to design, build, test, and evaluate a crash test car.
Quiz

Standard PS2-2

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Recall Newton’s first law Quiz

● Solve the equation F=ma. Whiteboard, Exit Ticket, TPS

● Solve the expression F​1​ + F​2​ in a diagram Whiteboard, Exit Ticket, TPS

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion
depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object
Quiz
 Standard PS3-1

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Construct and interpret kinetic energy graph Go Kart graph discussion / Exit Ticket

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Standard PS3-3

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Identify and describe the three ways thermal Whiteboards/Exit ticket, drawing
energy can be transferred (radiation,
conduction, convection).

● Identify that thermal energy can be Plickers/White boards

transferred from hotter objects to colder
objects.

● Identify materials that can be used to Plickers, Thumbs up/Thumbs Down

minimize or maximize thermal energy.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard):​ Design, build, test, and evaluate a solar oven.

Thermal Energy Assessment (Solar Cooker)

Unit 3: ​Evidence of Common Ancestry

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​LS4-2

Goals for Morning Work:
✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ Pre-Test
✓ Post Test​ (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard LS4-1

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Organize rock layers and fossil data. Rock Layer Puzzle

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Standard LS4-2

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Identify and describe similarities and Exit ticket

differences of organisms from a cladogram.

● Identify and describe types of fossils. White board/Plickers

● Identify and describe vestigial structures. Exit Ticket/Plickers

● Describe the process of fossilization. Exit Ticket

● Identify similarities and differences between White board list

embryos of organisms

● Compare and contrast relative and absolute Venn Diagram

dating.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Explain similarities and differences of select modern and fossilized organisms and
provide evidence for behavior.
Quiz
Standard LS4-3

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Identify similarities and differences between Journal Check, Exit Ticket

embryos of organisms.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Unit 4:​ Natural Selection

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​LS4-4

Goals for Morning Work:

✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ Pre-Test
✓ Post Test (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard LS4-4

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Identify resources available to an Picky Eaters Activity

environment and the effect that has on
selection for advantageous traits.

● Describe how natural selection leads to Exit Ticket

evolution.

● Predict the rate of survival of an organism by White board/ Plickers/ Thumbs up Thumbs down
completing various labs/experiments.

● Identify the chances of successful White board/ Plickers/ Thumbs up Thumbs down
reproduction and natural selection of an
organism by completing various
labs/experiments.

● Reason that organisms with traits that are Exit Ticket

more advantageous will survive and
reproduce by completing various
labs/experiments.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Design a creature with desired traits to survive on a fictional planet and describe
its evolutionary history.

Quiz
 Standard LS4-5

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Define and give examples of artificial Dog Breeding Activity

selection.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Standard LS4-6

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Use mathematical representations to support Colored Dot Activity/ Finch Beak Activity
explanations of how natural selection works
on a population.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Unit 5: ​Weather

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​ESS 2-4 ​, ​ESS 2-6

Goals for Morning Work:

✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ Pre-Test
✓ Post Test (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard ESS2-4

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Label various stages in the hydrologic cycle Exit Ticket/Plickers

● Describe the role of the sun and gravity as it Exit Ticket

relates to the water cycle

● Describe how heat/energy is transferred Think Pair Share

within the water cycle

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Create a storyboard (comic strip) that demonstrates the life of a H2O molecule in
the water cycle.
Quiz

Standard ESS2-5

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Collect daily weather data and provide Daily weather predictions and checks in notebooks
evidence of how it relates to high vs. low
pressure systems.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Quiz
 Standard ESS2-6

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Identify and describe the five factors that Exit Ticket/Plickers/ I have a Question Who Has the
determine climate Answers

● Recall how air masses are crafted Exit Ticket/ Think Pair Share

● Recall the sun’s relationship with the water Exit Ticket/ Readers Theater
cycle.

● Describe how the sun affects ocean currents. Exit Ticket

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Compare and contrast the differences between two different climates of U.S cities.

Quiz

Climate Comparison Assessment

Unit 6: ​Human Impact

Priority Standards Covered in Unit: ​ESS3-3​, ​LS2-5

Goals for Morning Work:

✓ 1) Standards Prioritized
✓ 2) Proficiency Scales written for each priority standard in Unit 1 (linked above)
✓ 3) Identify Checks for Understanding (below) for each of the Level 2 learning targets (proficiencies) per
standard
✓ 4) Develop CFA ​please link to doc below each standard
✓ 5) Assessments made for Unit
✓ Pre-Test
✓ Post Test​ (make necessary changes using ​Mini Alignment Tool​)

Standard ESS3-3

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Comparing and contrasting renewable and Venn Diagram

nonrenewable resources

● Know cause and effect of personal carbon Carbon Footprint Calculator Activity
footprint

● Infer that renewable technologies can be PSA

used as solutions for global climate change

● Distinguish the relationship between CO2 graph and discussion

population growth and natural resource
availability

● Compare and contrast greenhouse effect and Venn Diagram

climate change

● Identify patterns of climate change in given Satellite Images

data

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Write a letter of proposal to the school principal as to what energy source your
school should rely on.

Quiz
 Standard ESS3-4

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Develop claim to be supported over the Quiz

relationship between human population
growth and consumption of natural resources.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Quiz

Standard ESS3-5

Level 2 - learning targets/proficiencies Checks for Understanding

● Ask questions over the evidence linking Phenomena using pics from NASA
global warming to climate change.

CFA (Level 3 - at standard): ​Not Priority

Quiz