First 9 weeks
The Nature of Science
FUSION Unit 1
Measurement and Data
FUSION Unit 2
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which:
a)data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means;
b)variables are defined;
c)metric units (SI — International System of Units) are used;
d)models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena;
e)sources of experimental error are identified;
f)dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified;
g)variables are controlled to test hypotheses, and trials are repeated;
h)continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions;
i)interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and
j)an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.
Unit / SOL by number and letter / Enhanced Scope and Sequence connection / Essential
Skills Vocabulary
Properties of Matter
FUSION Unit 3 / PS. 2 a, d, e, f / The Particle Theory of Matter / * describe the particle theory of matter
*distinguish between physical properties and chemical properties
*design an investigation from a testable question related to physical and chemical properties of matter / Matter, physical properties, chemical properties
States of Matter
FUSION Unit 3
Heat Energy
FUSION Unit 4 / PS. 2 a, c, e
PS. 5 a
PS. 7 a, b, c, d /
Heat and Thermal Energy Transfer
/ *describe the properties of the states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas).*illustrate and explain the effect of the addition or subtraction of heat energy on the motion of molecules
*describe how to determine whether a substance is an element, compound, or mixture.
*compare and contrast Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales and describe absolute zero.
*analyze a time/temperature graph of a phase change experiment to determine the temperature at which the phase change occurs (freezing point, melting point, or boiling point).
*design an investigation from a testable question related to heat transfer. / Matter, solid, liquid, gas, physical properties, physical changes, Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin, absolute zero, phase changes, freezing point, melting point, vaporization, condensation, sublimation, conduction, convection, radiation, heat engines, thermostats, refrigeration, heat pumps
Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
FUSION Unit 3 / PS. 2 b /
- *describe how to determine whether a substance is an element, compound, or mixture
Eighth Grade Science Pacing Guide
Second 9 weeks
The Nature of Science
FUSION Unit 1
Measurement and Data
FUSION Unit 2
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which:
a)data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means;
b)variables are defined;
c)metric units (SI — International System of Units) are used;
d)models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena;
e)sources of experimental error are identified;
f)dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified;
g)variables are controlled to test hypotheses, and trials are repeated;
h)continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions;
i)interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and
j)an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.
Unit / SOL by number and letter / Enhanced Scope and Sequence connection / Essential
Skills Vocabulary
Atoms
FUSION Unit 5 / PS.3 a,b /
Historical Models of Atoms
The Modern Model of Atomic Structure / *describe the historical development of the concept of the atom and the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr.*use the Bohr model to differentiate among the three basic particles in the atom (proton, neutron, and electron) and their charges, relative masses, and locations.
*compare the Bohr atomic model to the electron cloud model with respect to their ability to represent accurately the three-dimensional structure of the atom. / Atom, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, Quantum Mechanics, protons, neutrons, electrons
Periodic Table
FUSION Unit 5 / PS.4 a, b / Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids / *use the periodic table to obtain information about the atom of an element:
*describe the organization of the periodic table / Symbols, atomic number, atomic mass, families, periods, metals, metalloids, nonmetals, valence
Chemical Bonding
FUSION Unit 5 / PS. 4 c / Chemical Bonds / *given a chemical formula of a compound, identify the elements and the number of atoms of each that comprise the compound.
*recognize that the number of electrons in the outermost energy level determines an element’s chemical properties or chemical reactivity.
*predict what kind of bond (ionic or covalent) will likely form when metals and nonmetals combined chemically.
*describe the difference between ionic and covalent bonding. / Ionic, covalent, metals, nonmetals, compounds, electrons
Forms of Energy
FUSION Unit 4 / PS. 6 a, b, c / States and Forms of Energy / *differentiate between potential and kinetic energy.
*use diagrams or concrete examples to compare relative amounts of potential and kinetic energy.
*identify and give examples of common forms of energy.
*design an investigation or create a diagram to illustrate energy transformations. / Potential energy, kinetic energy, mechanical, chemical, electrical, heat, light, and sound energy, energy transformations
Chemical Reactions
FUSION Unit 5 / PS. 5 c / The Law of Conservation of Matter / *given chemical formulas, write and balance simple chemical equations.
*analyze experimental data to determine whether it supports the Law of Conservation of Mass / Reactants, products, balanced equations, endothermic, exothermic, Law of Conservation of Mass
Chemical Compounds
FUSION Unit 5 / PS. 2 b, f / *analyze the pH of a solution and classify it as acidic, basic, or neutral.
*describe what a salt is and explain how salts form.
*determine the identity of an unknown substance by comparing its properties to those of known substances. / Acids, bases, salts, chemical properties, pH
Eighth Grade Science Pacing Guide
Third 9 weeks
The Nature of Science
FUSION Unit 1
Measurement and Data
FUSION Unit 2
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which:
a)data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means;
b)variables are defined;
c)metric units (SI — International System of Units) are used;
d)models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena;
e)sources of experimental error are identified;
f)dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified;
g)variables are controlled to test hypotheses, and trials are repeated;
h)continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions;
i)interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and
j)an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.
Unit / SOL by number and letter / Enhanced Scope and Sequence connection / Essential
Skills Vocabulary
Nuclear Energy
FUSION Unit 3 / PS.5 b / *describe, in simple terms, the processes that release nuclear energy (i.e., nuclear fission and nuclear fusion). *Create a simple diagram to summarize and compare and contrast these two types of nuclear energy.
*evaluate the positive and negative effects of using nuclear energy. / Fusion, fission
Electricity
FUSION Unit 8 / PS. 11 a / Electricity and Circuits / *design an investigation to illustrate the effects of static electricity.
*construct and compare series and parallel circuits.
*construct simple circuits to determine the relationship between voltage, resistance, and current. / Static electricity, current, series circuit, parallel circuit, voltage, resistance, load, source, conductor, insulator
Electromagnetism
FUSION Unit 8 / PS. 11 b, c / Electricity and Magnetism / *explain the relationship between a magnetic field and an electric current
*create an electromagnet and explain how it works
*compare and contrast generators and motors and how they function.
*identify situations in everyday life in which motors and generators are used. / Electromagnet, magnetic field, motor, generator
Waves and Sound Energy
FUSION Unit 9 and 10 / PS. 8 a, b, c, d / Sound / *model a compression (longitudinal) wave and diagram, label, and describe the basic components: wavelength, compression, rarefaction, and frequency.
*determine the relationship between frequency and wavelength.
*analyze factors that determine the speed of sound through various materials and interpret graphs and charts that display this information.
*describe technological applications of sound waves and generally how each application functions.
*design an investigation from a testable question related to sound / Waves, wavelength, frequency, amplitude, resonance, sound, transverse, longitudinal, speed of sound, rarefaction, compression, medium, vibrations, Doppler effect, SONAR, ultrasonic, infrasonic
Eighth Grade Science Pacing Guide
Fourth 9 weeks
The Nature of Science
FUSION Unit 1
Measurement and Data
FUSION Unit 2
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which:
a)data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means;
b)variables are defined;
c)metric units (SI — International System of Units) are used;
d)models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena;
e)sources of experimental error are identified;
f)dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified;
g)variables are controlled to test hypotheses, and trials are repeated;
h)continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions;
i)interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and
j)an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.
Unit / SOL by number and letter / Enhanced Scope and Sequence connection / Essential
Skills Vocabulary
Electromagnetic Spectrum, Light and Optics
FUSION Unit 11 / PS. 9 a, b, c / Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum / *design an investigation to illustrate the behavior of visible light – reflection and refraction. Describe how reflection and refraction occur.
*describe the wave theories of light.
*model a transverse wave and draw and label the basic components. Explain wavelength, amplitude, and frequency.
*compare the various types of electromagnetic waves in terms of wavelength, frequency, and energy.
*describe an everyday application of each of the major forms of electromagnetic energy. / Electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction, light, transverse, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, lenses, mirrors
Forces in Motion
FUSION Unit 6 / PS. 10 a / The Rate of Motion / *make measurements to calculate the speed of a moving object.
*apply the concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration when describing motion.
*explain how force, mass, and acceleration are related / speed, velocity, acceleration, force, friction, gravity, weight
Newton’s Laws of Motion
FUSION Unit 6 / PS. 10 b / *identify situations that illustrate each Law of Motion / Newton’s Laws of Motion, inertia
Work and Machines
FUSION Unit 7 / PS. 10 c, d / Work and Power / *apply the concept of mechanical advantage to test and explain how a machine makes work easier.
*make measurements to calculate the work done on an object.
*make measurements to calculate the power of an object.
*explain how the concepts of work, force, and motion apply to car safety technology, machines, and rockets. / work, force, mechanical advantage, efficiency, power, simple machines, compound machines