Science Curriculum

8th Grade

Course Purpose:

 Eighth grade students will use scientific principles to quantify interactions among the components of the world they see.

Outcomes and Components:

SC.8.7

Students will investigate and compare and contrast the traits and the change of an organism over time  to determine its likelihood of survival in an environment.

Pacing  

Instruct/

Assess

Component Code

Component

Standard(s)
  SC.8.7.1 Cite examples of natural selection through adaptation of physical and behavioral traits. MS-LS4-4
  SC.8.7.2 Determine causes and effects of adaptation by natural selection with survival in a new environment. (Rabbit simulation, Cactus beetle simulation) MS-LS4-4
  SC.8.7.3 Describe artificial selection by modeling a new dog using physical and behavioral traits. MS-LS4-5
  SC.8.7.4 Compare and contrast artificial and natural selection.

MS-LS4-4

MS-LS4-5
  SC.8.7.5 Analyze skeletal structures and find patterns and relationships. MS-LS4-1
  SC.8.7.6 Compare skeletons of a rat and an elephant for differences and similarities. MS-LS4-2
  SC.8.7.5 Analyze embryos of other organisms for patterns and similarities.

MS-LS4-1

MS-LS4-3

Academic Vocabulary: Cite, determine, describe, compare, contrast, analyze, model, identify, test

Content Vocabulary: natural selection, adaptation, behavioral trait, artificial selection, Evolution, species, vestigial structures, selective breeding, traits, generation time, speciation, separation, division