Course Description 

​The Eighth-Grade Georgia Standards of Excellence for science are designed to give all students the necessary skills for a smooth transition from elementary physical science standards to high school physical science standards. The purpose is to give all students an overview of common strands in physical science including, but not limited to, the nature of matter, conservation of energy, energy transformations, conservation of matter, kinematics, and dynamics.
 
Students will:

• Keep records of their observations and use those records to analyze the data they collect, recognize patterns in the data.
• Use simple charts and graphs to represent the relationships they see, and find more than one way to interpret their findings.
• Develop conceptual understanding of the laws of conservation of matter and conservation of energy
• Explain the characteristics of the motion of an object (speed, acceleration) and the way that forces may change the state of motion of an object.
• Use what they observe to explain the difference between physical and chemical changes and cause and effect relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects.
• Construct explanations based on evidence on the difference and similarities between electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
• Plan and carry out investigations, describe observations, and show information in graphical form.
• Replicate investigations and compare results to find similarities and differences.

Units
Topics Covered
Estimated time frame

Matter
4 Weeks

Energy
3 Weeks

Motion
2 Weeks

Waves  
4 Weeks

Force
2 Weeks

Supplies

​

• 3 Ring Binder
• Composition Book
• Index Cards
• Blue or Black pens

 

• Pencil
• Colored pencils
• Sheet protectors

Divider 8 tabs 

Resources used 

USA Test Prep 

• Textbook: McLaughlin, C. W., Thomspon, M., & Zike, D. (2005). Physical science. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.