Download Unit 1:

8th Grade Science
Mrs. Mindy
Unit 2:
Earth History and Evolution
Weekly Breakdown of the Unit with Goals:
Week 1: The Rock Cycle
 8.E.2.1: Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and
ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).
 8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative
anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of
evolution.
Week 2: Relative and Absolute Dating:
 8.E.2.1: Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and
ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).
Week 3: Layers of the Earth and Plate Tectonics:
 8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative
anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of
evolution.
Week 4: Evolution of Earth’s Land and Life Forms :
 8.L.4.1: Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative
anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of
evolution.
Week 5: Evolutionary Biology and Adaptations:
 8.L.4.2: Explain the relationship between genetic variation and an organism’s ability to
adapt to its environment.
Week 6: Wrap up all labs and activities, test taking strategies, test review and test!!!
Key Vocabulary:
Inner Core
Outer Core
Mantle
Crust
Asthenosphere
Tectonic Plate
Continental Drift
Pangaea
Convection
Convection
Current
Plate Tectonics
Theory
Magnetic
Reversal
Ice Core
Geologic Time
Scale
Natural
Selection
Taxonomy
Divergent
Boundary
Lithosphere
Mid-Ocean
Ridge
Convergent
Boundary
Hot Spot
Subduction
Index Fossil
Unicellular
Organism
Absolute Age
Mulitcellular
Organism
Adaptation
Speciation
Six Kingdoms
Relative Age
Transform
Boundary
Fossil
Original Remains
Half-Life
Uniformitarianism
Mass Extinction
Evolution
Gene
Classification
Rift Valley
Key Essential Questions:
1. What role did density have in forming the layers on the Earth?
2. How do the three main types of rocks differ in the way that they were formed?
3. How do relative and absolute dating differ?
4. How are ice cores used to tell stories of Earth’s past?
5. How are index fossils used to date rocks?
6. How is the Geologic Time Scale organized and how is the evolution of life and land
described?
7. How do organisms adapt to their environment?
8. How does natural selection affect population?
Unit 1 Assignment Matrix: Science
How to Use this Matrix:
 Shaded assignments are mandatory
 At least 15 assignments must be completed by the end of Unit 1
 The blank spaces are “student choice” assignments. This means that you can create an
assignment of your choosing, but you must first submit a Proposal Form and wait for approval
before you begin, so plan carefully and use your time wisely!!!
Unit 1: Week 1
Topic: The Rock Cycle
Goals: 8.E.2.1 and 8.L.4.1
Assignment Assignment Title
#
1-A1
Rock Cycle Drawing
1-A2
Rock Cycle Journey Game
1-A3
Rock ID Lab
1-A4
Friendly Rock Talk Probe
1-A5
1-A6
Unit 1: Week 4
Topic: Evolution of Earth’s Land and Life Forms
Goals: 8.L.4.1
Assignment
#
1-D1
A Date with the Fossil Record
1-D2
Fossil Lab
1-D3
Our Changing Earth
1-D4
Model Geologic Time Scale
1-D5
1-D6
Unit 1: Week 2
Topic: Relative and Absolute Dating
Goals: 8.E.2.1
Assignment Assignment Title
#
1-B1
Ask a Rock or Ask an Ice Core
(Stations 1-4 and 6-7)
1-B2
Radiometric Dating Math Skills
Unit 1: Week 5
Topic: Genetic Variation and Adaptation
Goals: 8.L.4.2
Assignment
#
1-E1
Natural Selection: Fishy
Frequencies
1-E2
The Making of the Fittest Video
with Questions
1-E3
The Making of the Fittest Activty
1-E4
Peppered Moths and Pollution
Online Simulation
1-E5
1-E6
1-B3
1-B4
Creating a Rock Sequence
Penny Lab for Half Lives
1-B5
1-B6
Unit 1: Week 3
Topic: Plate Tectonics
Goals: 8.L.4.1
Assignment Assignment Title
#
1-C1
Ask a Rock or Ask an Ice Core
(Station 5)
1-C2
Layers of Earth Mini Model with
Drilling Into Earth Activity Sheet
1-C3
Types of Boundaries
1-C4
Convection Currents Lab
1-C5
1-C6
Unit 1: Week 6
Topic: Wrap Up and Test Review
Assignment
#
1-F1
1-F2
1-F3
1-F4
1-F5
1-F6