BELLE VERNON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

GENERAL SYLLABUS OUTLINE

**This syllabus is subject to change**

Course Name:

General Science

Grade:

8

1.)

Course Description:

Eighth grade is a general science intended to act as an introduction to chemistry, physics, earth, space,

and ecology.  The course exposes students to properties of matter, laws of science, their worlds, and

their place in the universe.  Course material could vary based upon time and student ability to

grasp concepts.

2.)

Learning Standards:

3.1

Unifying Themes of Science

3.2

Inquiry and Design

3.3

Biological Science

3.4

Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics

3.5

Earth Science

4.1

Watersheds and Wetlands

4.2

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

4.3

Environmental Health

4.4

Agriculture and Society

4.5

Integrated Pest Management

4.6

Ecosystems and their Interactions

4.7

Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species

4.8

Humans and the Environment

4.9

Environmental Health

3.)

Student Objectives:

3.1.7     Unifying Themes

v

Explain the parts of a simple system and their relationship to each other.

v

Describe the use of models as an application of scientific or technological concepts.

v

Identify patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology.

v

Explain scale as a way of relating concepts and ideas to one another by some measure.

v

Identify change as a variable in describing natural and physical systems.

3.2.7     Inquiry and Design

v

Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge.

v

Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations.

v

Identify and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems.

v

Know and use the technological design process to solve problems.

3.3.7     Biological Sciences

v

Describe the similarities and differences that characterize diverse living things.

v

Describe the cell as the basic structural and functional unit of living things.

v

Know that every organism has a set of genetic instructions that determines its inherited

traits.

v

Explain the basic concepts of natural selection.

3.4.7     Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics

v

Describe concepts about the structure and properties of matter.

v

Relate energy sources and transfers to heat and temperature.

v

Identify and explain the principles of force and motion.

v

Describe essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe and the

earth's place in it.

3.5.7     Earth Sciences

v

Describe earth features and processes.

v

Recognize earth resources and how they affect everyday life.

v

Describe basic elements of meteorology.

v

Explain the behavior and impact of the earth's water systems.

4.1.7     Watersheds and Wetlands

v

Explain the role of the water cycle within a watershed.

v

Understand the role of the watershed.

v

Explain the effects of water on the life of organisms in a watershed.

v

Explain and describe characteristics of a wetland.

v

Describe the impact of watersheds and wetlands on people.

4.2.7     Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

v

Know that raw materials come from natural resources.

v

Examine the renewability of resources.

v

Explain natural resource distribution.

v

Describe the role of recycling and waste management.

4.3.7     Environmental Health

v

Identify environmental health issues.

v

Describe how human action affect the health of the environment.

v

Explain biological diversity.

4.4.7     Agriculture and Society

v

Explain society's standard of living in relation to agriculture.

v

Investigate how agricultural science has recognized the various soil types found in

Pennsylvania.

v

Explain agricultural systems' use of natural and human resources.

v

Explain the improvement of agricultural production through technology.

4.5.7     Integrated Pest Management

v

Explain benefits and harmful effects of pests.

v

Explain how pest management affects the environment.

v

Explain various integrated pest management practices used in society.

4.6.7       Ecosystems and their Interactions

v

Explain the flows of energy and matter from organism within an ecosystem.

v

Explain the concepts of cycles.

v

Explain how ecosystems change over time.

4.7.7     Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species

v

Describe diversity of plants and animals in ecosystems.

v

Explain how species of living organisms adapt to their environment.

v

Explain natural or human actions in relation to the loss of species.

4.8.7     Humans and the Environment

v

Describe how the development of civilization relates to the environment.

v

Explain how people use natural resources.

v

Explain how human activities may affect local, regional, and national environment.

Explain the importance of maintaining the natural resources at the local, state, and

national levels.

4.9.7     Environmental Laws and Regulations

v

Explain the role of environmental laws and regulations.

4.)

Course Text:

v  Glencoe Science (Blue Green)

5.)

Major Units or Themes:  (Include the following)

v     Chemistry of Matter

Inside the Atom

The Periodic Table

Chemical Bonds

Chemical Reaction

v     Forces and Motion

Motion and Momentum

Force and Newton's Law

Forces and Fluids

Energy and Waves

v     Astronomy

Nature of Science

Exploring Space

Sun-Earth-Moon

Solar System

Stars and Galaxies

v     Weather and Climate

The Atmosphere in Motion

Climate

v     Heredity

Role of Genes in Inheritance

Adaptations Over Time

v     Drugs

Tobacco, Alcohol, Prohibited

6.)

Teaching Methods:

The instructor will employ a variety of teaching methods.  Below is a sample of the many possibilities.

v     Lecture/Discussion

v     Demonstration

v     Simulation

v     Cooperative Learning

v     Experimental/Inquiry Learning

v     Student Presentations/Role Play

v     Guided Practice

v     Possible Internet Activities

7.)

Assessment:

The Instructor will employ a variety of assessment methods.  Below is a representation of assessments

used and is not all inclusive.

v     Tests/Quizzes

v     Oral Presentations

v     Homework

v     Experiments/Projects

v     Journals/Notebooks

v     General Performance Assessment