Grade Level & Subject: 8^th Grade Earth Science		Curriculum Map	Year Revised 2004-2005
Calendar	August	September	October/November
	Third Nine Weeks - February - March
Possible Resources	Earth Science, Glencoe, 2002
Nine Weeks Focus	Chapters 22, (optional for background) pages 638 – 669, Exploring Space Chapters 23-25 pages 670 – 765, Sun, Earth, Moon System, Solar System, Stars and Galaxies Related Wild Sites activities
Skills/Standards	Earth and Space Sciences 1. Describe how objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motions that explain such phenomena as days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. 2. Explain that gravitational force is the dominant force determining motions in the solar system and in particular keeps the planets in orbit around the sun. 3. Compare the orbits and composition of comets and asteroids with that of Earth. 4. Describe the effect that asteroids or meteoroids have when moving through space and sometimes entering planetary atmospheres (e.g., meteor-"shooting star" and meteorite). 5. Explain that the universe consists of billions of galaxies that are classified by shape. 6. Explain interstellar distances are measured in light years (e.g., the nearest star beyond the sun is 4.3 light years away). 7. Examine the life cycle of a star and predict the next likely stage of a star. 8. Name and describe tools used to study the universe (e.g., telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft). Life Sciences Physical Sciences 1. Describe how the change in the position (motion) of an object is always judged and described in comparison to a reference point. 2. Explain that motion describes the change in the position of an object (characterized by a speed and direction) as time changes. Science and Technology 1. Examine how science and technology have advanced through the contributions of many different people, cultures and times in history. Scientific Inquiry 4. Apply appropriate math skills to interpret quantitative data (e.g., mean, median and mode). Scientific Ways of Knowing A C A D E M I C C O N T E N T S TA N D A R D
Assessments