HCPS III Benchmarks

Content Area: Science

FINAL

Grade / Course: 8

Quarter: 1

The Benchmark Map is developed with the following premises:

· All benchmarks for the grade level/course will be achieved in a school year.
· Major understandings are the big generalizations for the topic/concept.
◊ Italicized benchmarks are taught and assessed in more than one quarter.

Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s): Students will understand that...

Scientific explanations emphasize conclusions based on evidence collected.

Scientific explanations have logical arguments.

Science and technology are reciprocal.

Scientific investigations sometimes result in new ideas/questions to study, methods of study, or new technologies to enhance such studies.

Mathematics is important in scientific inquiry.

Scientists use seismic waves to gather information about the Earth's interior.

Crustal (lithospheric) plates move in response to movements in the mantle.

Mantle movements are caused by convection.

Heat moves in predictable ways.

Scientific evidence supports the theory of continental drift.

Different types of rocks form in different ways.

Different types of rocks have unique characteristics.

Rocks may change from one type into another type.

HCPS III Benchmarks:

◊ 8.1.1	Scientific Inquiry Determine the link(s) between evidence and the conclusion(s) of an investigation
◊ 8.1.2	Scientific Inquiry Communicate the significant components of the experimental design and results of a scientific investigation
◊ 8.2.1	Science, Technology, and Society Describe significant relationships among society, science, and technology and how one impacts the other
◊ 8.2.2	Unifying Concepts and Themes Describe how scale and mathematical models can be used to support and explain scientific data
· 8.6.2	Waves Explain how seismic waves provide scientists with information about the structure of Earth's interior
· 8.8.1	Earth Materials Compare the characteristics of the three main types of rocks
· 8.8.2	Earth Materials Illustrate the rock cycle and explain how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are formed
◊ 8.8.5	Forces that Shape the Earth Explain the concepts of continental drift and plate tectonics

Content Area: Science

FINAL

Grade / Course: 8

Quarter: 2

Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s): Students will understand that...

The ocean floor contains all of the topographic features found on land (e.g. long, continuous mountain ranges, valleys, canyons, volcanoes, and plains).

Plate tectonic theory helps explain many features of the ocean floor.

Oceans differ from one another.

The sun is a major source of energy for changes on the Earth's surface.

Energy is transferred in many ways.

Heat moves in predictable ways.

The atmosphere and ocean can affect climate.

The Sun's energy affects our seasons/weather.

Energy is transported through waves.

Different ranges of wavelengths cause waves to affect matter in different ways.

The Earth's seasons are attributed to its tilted axis and revolution around the Sun.

Earth's resources are essential for life.

HCPS III Benchmarks:

◊ 8.1.1	Scientific Inquiry Determine the link(s) between evidence and the conclusion(s) of an investigation
◊ 8.1.2	Scientific Inquiry Communicate the significant components of the experimental design and results of a scientific investigation
◊ 8.2.1	Science, Technology, and Society Describe significant relationships among society, science, and technology and how one impacts the other
◊ 8.2.2	Unifying Concepts and Themes Describe how scale and mathematical models can be used to support and explain scientific data
· 8.5.1	Biological Evolution Describe how changes in the physical environment affect the survival of organisms
◊ 8.6.1	Waves Explain the relationship between the color of light and wavelength within the electromagnetic spectrum
◊ 8.6.3	Waves Identify the characteristics and properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves
· 8.8.3	Earth in the Solar System Describe how the Earth's motions and tilt on its axis affect the seasons and weather patterns
· 8.8.4	Forces that Shape the Earth Explain how the sun is the major source of energy influencing climate and weather on Earth
· 8.8.6	Forces that Shape the Earth Explain the relationship between density and convection currents in the ocean and atmosphere
· 8.8.7	Forces that Shape the Earth Describe the physical characteristics of oceans

Content Area: Science

FINAL

Grade / Course: 8

Quarter: 3

Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s): Students will understand that...

Gravity is a force that attracts bodies of matter toward each other.

An object's mass exerts a gravitational force on other objects.

A gravitational force acting on another object will affect that object's motion.

Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the rest of the motion in the solar system.

Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the rest of the motion in the solar system.

Most objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motion.

HCPS III Benchmarks:

◊ 8.1.1	Scientific Inquiry Determine the link(s) between evidence and the conclusion(s) of an investigation
◊ 8.1.2	Scientific Inquiry Communicate the significant components of the experimental design and results of a scientific investigation
◊ 8.2.1	Science, Technology, and Society Describe significant relationships among society, science, and technology and how one impacts the other
◊ 8.2.2	Unifying Concepts and Themes Describe how scale and mathematical models can be used to support and explain scientific data
◊ 8.7.1	Forces of the Universe Explain that every object has mass and therefore exerts a gravitational force on other objects
◊ 8.8.9	The Universe Explain the predictable motions of the Earth and moon
◊ 8.8.12	The Universe Describe the role of gravitational force in the motions of planetary systems

Content Area: Science

FINAL

Grade / Course: 8

Quarter: 4

Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s): Students will understand that...

Energy is transported through waves.

Different ranges of wavelengths cause waves to affect matter in different ways.

The universe contains billions of galaxies.

Each galaxy contains billions of stars.

Our solar system is a part of our galaxy.

Planets and celestial objects have unique characteristics.

Objects in our solar system have predictable movements.

HCPS III Benchmarks:

◊ 8.1.1	Scientific Inquiry Determine the link(s) between evidence and the conclusion(s) of an investigation
◊ 8.1.2	Scientific Inquiry Communicate the significant components of the experimental design and results of a scientific investigation
◊ 8.2.1	Science, Technology, and Society Describe significant relationships among society, science, and technology and how one impacts the other
◊ 8.2.2	Unifying Concepts and Themes Describe how scale and mathematical models can be used to support and explain scientific data
◊ 8.6.1	Waves Explain the relationship between the color of light and wavelength within the electromagnetic spectrum
◊ 8.6.3	Waves Identify the characteristics and properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves
◊ 8.7.1	Forces of the Universe Explain that every object has mass and therefore exerts a gravitational force on other objects
· 8.8.8	The Universe Describe the composition of objects in the galaxy
◊ 8.8.9	The Universe Explain the predictable motions of the Earth and moon
· 8.8.10	The Universe Compare the characteristics and movement patterns of the planets in our solar system
· 8.8.11	The Universe Describe the major components of the universe
◊ 8.8.12	The Universe Describe the role of gravitational force in the motions of planetary systems