8th Grade Integrated Science
The curricular resources provided on this website can be found in the Overview and Description documents linked below.
Portions of the CA Framework relating to each unit are also provided. Click here to read the introduction pages to the CA Framework chapter on the middle school preferred integrated model.
Portions of the CA Framework relating to each unit are also provided. Click here to read the introduction pages to the CA Framework chapter on the middle school preferred integrated model.
8th Grade Guiding Concept
The processes that change Earth's systems at different spatial scales today also caused changes in the past.
Unit 1: Overview and Description (4-Part Learning Progression Model)
CA Framework: 8th Grade Instructional Segment 1
PEs included in this Segment: MS-LS4-1, MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4 MS-PS3-1, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4
Theme: Objects move and collide.
Key Science Concepts:
PEs included in this Segment: MS-LS4-1, MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4 MS-PS3-1, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4
Theme: Objects move and collide.
Key Science Concepts:
- ES- The fossil record documents the existence, diversity, extinction and change of life forms throughout Earth's history.
- PS- Newton’s Laws explain the forces and motions of objects on Earth and in space.
- PS- Velocity and mass determine the results of collisions between objects.
Unit 2: Overview and Description (4-Part Learning Progression Model)
CA Framework: 8th Grade Instructional Segment 2
PEs included in this Segment: MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-4, MS-PS2-5, MS-PS3-2
Theme: Noncontact forces influence phenomena locally and in the solar system.
Key Science Concepts:
PEs included in this Segment: MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-4, MS-PS2-5, MS-PS3-2
Theme: Noncontact forces influence phenomena locally and in the solar system.
Key Science Concepts:
- ES- Models explain lunar phases and eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
- ES- Gravity plays the major role in determining motions with the solar system and galaxies.
- PS- Gravitational and electromagnetic fields are the basis of noncontact forces.
- PS- Changing the arrangement of objects in a system affects the potential energy stored in that system.
CA Framework: 8th Grade Instructional Segment 3
PEs included in this Segment: MS-ESS1-4, MS-LS3-1, MS-LS4-1, MS-LS4-2, MS-LS4-3, MS-LS4-4, MS-LS4-5, MS-LS4-6
Theme: Evolution explains life unity and diversity.
Key Science Concepts:
LS- Mutations in genes affect organisms’ structures and functions.
LS- Evidence from fossils, anatomy, and embryos support the theory of biological evolution.
LS- Natural selection is the main mechanism that leads to evolution of species that are adapted to their environment.
ES- Rock layers record Earth’s history like pages in a book.
PS- Chemical reactions make new substances.
PS-Mass is conserved in physical changes and chemical reactions.
PEs included in this Segment: MS-ESS1-4, MS-LS3-1, MS-LS4-1, MS-LS4-2, MS-LS4-3, MS-LS4-4, MS-LS4-5, MS-LS4-6
Theme: Evolution explains life unity and diversity.
Key Science Concepts:
LS- Mutations in genes affect organisms’ structures and functions.
LS- Evidence from fossils, anatomy, and embryos support the theory of biological evolution.
LS- Natural selection is the main mechanism that leads to evolution of species that are adapted to their environment.
ES- Rock layers record Earth’s history like pages in a book.
PS- Chemical reactions make new substances.
PS-Mass is conserved in physical changes and chemical reactions.
CA Framework: 8th Grade Instructional Segment 4
PEs included in this Segment: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-PS4-3, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS3-4, MS-LS4-4, MS-LS4-6, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2
Theme: Human activities help sustain biodiversity and ecosystems services in a changing world.
Key Science Concepts:
PEs included in this Segment: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-PS4-3, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS3-4, MS-LS4-4, MS-LS4-6, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2
Theme: Human activities help sustain biodiversity and ecosystems services in a changing world.
Key Science Concepts:
- LS- Changes to environments can affect probabilities of survival and reproduction of individual organisms, which can result in significant changes to populations and species.
- ES- Annual cycles in the amount of sunlight absorbed cause Earth’s seasons.
- ES- Increases in human population and per-capita consumption impact Earth’s systems.
- PS- Waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
- PS- Wave-based digital technologies provide very reliable ways to encode and transmit information.