Eighth Grade
Mrs. Michele Garcia
Michele Garcia
Grades 5 – 8 Science Syllabus
Grade 8 Science (EARTH)
1. Astronomy
· Earth – Sun – Moon System
o How do the sun and the moon affect the Earth?
· Solar System and the Universe
o What kind of data and evidence help us to understand the universe?
2. Meteorology
· Weather in the Atmosphere
o What determines weather on Earth?
· Climate
o How have natural processes and human activities changed Earth’s climate?
3. Geology
· Minerals and Rocks in the Geosphere
o What events form Earth's rocks?
· Plate Tectonics
o How do geological processes change Earth’s surface?
Grade 7 Science (LIFE)
1. Cells and Classification of Living Things
· The Cell System
o How does the structure of cells determine their function?
· Living Things in the Biosphere
o How do scientists define and organize living things
· Human Body Systems
o How do systems interact in the human body?
2. Heredity and Evolution
· Reproduction and Growth
o What factors influence the growth of organisms and their ability to reproduce?
· Genes and Heredity
o How do offspring receive traits from their parents
· Natural Selection and Change Over Time
o How do characteristics change over time?
3. Living Things and the Environment
· Ecosystems
o How are matter and energy cycled in an ecosystem?
· Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems
o How do living and nonliving things affect one another?
Grade 6 Science (PHYSICAL)
1. Matter
· Introduction to Matter
o How can we observe, measure and use matter?
· Solids, Liquids, and Gases
o What causes matter to change from one state to another?
2. Energy
· Introduction to Energy
o How does energy cause change?
· Thermal Energy
o What happens when heat flows from one object to another?
3. Chemistry
· Atoms and the Periodic Table
o How do atoms combine to form extended structures?
· Chemical Reactions
o How can you determine when a chemical reaction has occurred?
4. Physics
· Forces and Motion
o How is the motion of an object affected by forces that act on it?
Grade 5 Science
1. Physical Science
· Properties of Matter
o How do you describe properties of matter?
· Changes in Matter
o What evidence do we have that matter changes?
2. Life Science
· Energy and Food
o Where does food’s energy come from and how is food used?
· Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
o How can you model the interaction of living things in an ecosystem?
3. Earth Science
· Solar System
o What is Earth’s place in space?
· Patterns in Space
o How do patterns change from day to day and season to season?
· Human Impacts on Eatth’s Systems
o How can we protect Earth’s resources and environments?
Grades are based on tests, quizzes, homework, classwork, labs, and projects. Here is the breakdown:
Tests 20% - They will know at least a week before the test is given.
Labs 20% - Some are graded, some aren’t. Any work not completed in class must be completed for homework.
Quizzes 20% - Usually based on vocabulary words.
Projects 20% - I try to do one at home project per trimester. The rest are done in groups in the lab.
Homework 10% - Everyone starts off with 100%. 5 points is taken off for any homework not completed.
Classwork 10% - Usually consists of answering questions in the book.