Grade 8 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? 6.3 - Variations in the amount of the sun’s energy hitting the Earth’s surface affect daily and seasonal weather patterns. ¨ Local and regional weather are affected by the amount of solar energy these areas receive and by their proximity to a large body of water.	C 7. Describe the effect of heating on the movement of molecules in solids, liquids and gases. C 8. Explain how local weather conditions are related to the temperature, pressure and water content of the atmosphere and the proximity to a large body of water. C 8A. Compare and contrast the specific heat of land versus bodies of water. C 8B. Describe the effects of warm and cold ocean currents on atmospheric conditions. C 9. Explain how the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface causes winds.
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? 7.3 - Landforms are the result of the interaction of constructive and destructive forces over time. ¨ Volcanic activity and the folding and faulting of rock layers during the shifting of the Earth’s crust affect the formation of mountains, ridges and valleys. ¨ Glaciation, weathering and erosion change the Earth’s surface by moving earth materials from place to place.	C A18. Explain how constructive and destructive forces of the rock cycle create rock layers. (Rock Cycle) C 18. Describe how folded and faulted rock layers provide evidence of the gradual up and down motion of the Earth’s crust. C 19. Explain how glaciation, weathering and erosion create and shape valleys and floodplains. C 19A. Describe how the effect of acid rain accelerates chemical weathering. C 19B. Explain why most fossils are formed in sedimentary rocks. C 20. Explain how the boundaries of tectonic plates can be inferred from the location of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Earth in the Solar System – How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet? 8.3 - The solar system is composed of planets and other objects that orbit the sun. ¨ Gravity is the force that governs the motions of objects in the solar system. ¨ The motion of the Earth and moon relative to the sun causes daily, monthly and yearly cycles on Earth.	C 28. Explain the effect of gravity on the orbital movement of planets in the solar system. C 29. Explain how the regular motion and relative position of the sun, Earth and moon affect the seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses.
Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives? 6.4 - Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities. ¨ Most precipitation that falls on Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound.	C 10. Explain the role of septic and sewage systems on the quality of surface and ground water. C 11. Explain how human activity may impact water resources in Connecticut, such as ponds, rivers and the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
Grade 8 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? 6.3 - Variations in the amount of the sun’s energy hitting the Earth’s surface affect daily and seasonal weather patterns. ¨ Local and regional weather are affected by the amount of solar energy these areas receive and by their proximity to a large body of water.	C 7. Describe the effect of heating on the movement of molecules in solids, liquids and gases. C 8. Explain how local weather conditions are related to the temperature, pressure and water content of the atmosphere and the proximity to a large body of water. C 8A. Compare and contrast the specific heat of land versus bodies of water. C 8B. Describe the effects of warm and cold ocean currents on atmospheric conditions. C 9. Explain how the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface causes winds.
Supporting Concepts: C 7. Describe the effect of heating on the movement of molecules in solids, liquids, and gases. · Explain the relationship between density and temperature changes. · Describe the causes and effects of convection currents. · Explain how temperature is an indicator of the average movement of molecules in substances. C 8. Explain how local weather conditions are related to the temperature, pressure, water content of the atmosphere, and the proximity to a large body of water. · Discuss the structure of atmosphere and temperature trends that are found in each specific layers. · Define basic meteorological terms and explain their connection to local weather conditions. · Explain high and low pressure systems impact local weather conditions. C 8A. Describe the effects of warm and cold ocean currents on atmospheric conditions. · Explain the influence of the Gulf Stream and Labrador currents on weather conditions. C 9. Explain how the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface causes winds. · Investigate high and low pressure systems and their impact on wind direction. · Describe the effect of sun’s radiation at different latitudes causing uneven atmospheric pressure. · Discuss the wind patterns in the atmosphere and on Earth’s surface C 9A. Compare and contrast the specific heat of land versus large bodies of water. · Delineate differences and formation of land and sea breezes.

Grade 8 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? 7.3 - Landforms are the result of the interaction of constructive and destructive forces over time. ¨ Volcanic activity and the folding and faulting of rock layers during the shifting of the Earth’s crust affect the formation of mountains, ridges and valleys. ¨ Glaciation, weathering and erosion change the Earth’s surface by moving earth materials from place to place.	C A18. Explain how constructive and destructive forces of the rock cycle create rock layers. (Rock Cycle) C 18. Describe how folded and faulted rock layers provide evidence of the gradual up and down motion of the Earth’s crust. C 19. Explain how glaciation, weathering and erosion create and shape valleys and floodplains. C 19A. Describe how the effect of acid rain accelerates chemical weathering. C 19B. Explain why most fossils are formed in sedimentary rocks. C 20. Explain how the boundaries of tectonic plates can be inferred from the location of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Supporting Concepts: C A18. Explain how constructive and destructive forces of the rock cycle create rock layers. (Rock Cycle) · Explain how rocks from different stages change into other stages. C 18. Describe how folded and faulted rock layers provide evidence of the gradual up and down motion of the Earth’s crust. · Explain how tectonic forces create mountains. · Describe types of faults. C 19. Explain how glaciation, weathering and erosion create and shape valleys and floodplains. · Compare and contrast Continental and Valley glaciers. · Compare and contrast glacial erosion versus running water. · Explain the work agents of erosion: running water, glaciers, waves, and wind · depositional features of each erosion agent C 19A. Describe how the effect of acid rain accelerates chemical weathering. · explain the chemical reactions involved with chemical weathering by water · limestone cave and cavern formation C 19 B. Explain the process of soil formation · C 19 C. Explain why most fossils are formed in sedimentary rocks. · explain how deposition of sediments trap living organisms or evidence of living organisms C 20. Explain how the boundaries of tectonic plates can be inferred from the location of earthquakes and volcanoes. · Explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift · Explain Ring of Fire · Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries

Grade 8 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Earth in the Solar System – How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet? 8.3 - The solar system is composed of planets and other objects that orbit the sun. ¨ Gravity is the force that governs the motions of objects in the solar system. ¨ The motion of the Earth and moon relative to the sun causes daily, monthly and yearly cycles on Earth.	C 28. Explain the effect of gravity on the orbital movement of planets in the solar system. C 29. Explain how the regular motion and relative position of the sun, Earth and moon affect the seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses.
Supporting Concepts: C 28. Explain the effect of gravity on the orbital movement of planets in the solar system. · weight vs mass as it pertains to the effects of gravity C 29. Explain how the regular motion and relative position of the sun, Earth and moon affect the seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses. · Explain how the tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the seasons to occur · revolution vs rotation · day/night vs year · phases of the moon · lunar vs solar eclipses

Grade 8 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives? 6.4 - Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities. ¨ Most precipitation that falls on Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound.	C 10. Explain the role of septic and sewage systems on the quality of surface and ground water. C 11. Explain how human activity may impact water resources in Connecticut, such as ponds, rivers and the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
Supporting Concepts: C 10. Explain the role of septic and sewage systems on the quality of surface and ground water. underground water process land contour watershed explain properties of soil in relation to porosity structure and function of septic system at home vs city sewage system C 11. Explain how human activity may impact water resources in Connecticut, such as ponds, rivers and the Long Island Sound ecosystem. Explain how watershed systems work Explain how river systems work Urban storm drainage systems Where does the city sewage go?