Eighth Grade
Geology
Plate
Tectonics
Recall the layers of the earth.
List the physical properties of each of the earthÕs layers.
Define oceanic and continental crust.
Examine WegenerÕs continental drift theory.
List and describe the following evidences of crustal movement: landforms, fossils, climate, and sea-floor spreading.
Define the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the mechanisms that cause it such as convection currents.
Describe the three types of plate boundaries.
Explain how the physical conditions inside the planet influence crustal movement.
Predict the effects of convection currents on the crust.
Explain how the difference between oceanic and continental crust affects the way they interact.
Apply the knowledge of crustal movement to explain the theory of Plate Tectonics.
Predict the location of the tectonic boundaries by interpreting volcanoes and earthquake positions.
Design models that represent tectonic processes.
Discuss important land formations worldwide for example: Himalayas, Andes, San Andreas Fault, Japan, and Hawaii.
Judge whether the pros outweigh the cons for living near active plate boundaries and if people living in those areas should be made more aware of the dangers associated.
Creation
of Landforms by Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Describes forces that cause earthquakes.
Define stress.
List the types of stress.
List the types of faults.
Define seismic waves and epicenter.
Recall the definition of volcano.
Name the characteristics of different types of volcanoes.
Define magma and lava.
Explain how seismic waves are generated.
Predict how seismic waves traveling through rock layers affect the land.
Describe the relationship between folding, faulting, and earthquakes in the formation of landforms.
Predict how thin or thick magma/lava produce different volcanic landforms.
Compare and contrast volcanic activity underwater, on continents, and forming volcanic islands.
Discuss how plate motion, fault type, and earthquake characteristics play a role in the creation of the rift valley in Africa, the Himalayas, and San Andreas Fault.
Discuss how Hawaii, Japan, Andes, and Iceland were formed by volcanic activity.
Design models representing the formation of faults and volcanoes.
Rank the most dangerous places to live in the world based on their proximity to volcanoes and earthquake areas.
Weathering,
Erosion, Deposition, and Soil Formation
Describe the different types of weathering.
Recall the definition of soil.
Label the layers of soil.
List the different agents of erosion: running water, glaciers, waves, gravity, and wind.
Define deposition.
Define a chemical reaction.
Explain the chemical reactions involved with chemical weathering by water.
Explain how rocks are broken down to soil through weathering.
Contrast the different types of landforms that result from different types of erosion.
Discuss the creation of U and V-shaped valleys.
Discuss how the erosion of mountains and the deposition in flood plains work together to flatten earthÕs surface.
Design a model depicting the evolution of a landscape worked on by destructive forces over an extremely long period of time.
Gauge the risks involved in buying land according to the potential for erosion and mass movement in that area.
Rock
Cycle
Describe the three types of rock: sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic.
Define fossils.
Explain the process of formation for each type of rock.
Predict how a rock changes from one type to another.
Explain how plate tectonics play a role in the rock cycle.
Explain how weathering and erosion play a role in the rock cycle.
Decide what kinds of rock are best for fossils.
Design a model of the rock cycle.
Guess the type of rock from typical samples.
Gauge how the external and internal sources of energy affect the rock cycle.
Describe the composition of the atmosphere
Sequence the layers of the atmosphere
Define radiation, conduction and convection
Describe the measurable factors of weather (i.e. temperature, pressure and humidity)
Describe the water cycle
Define weather, air mass, and front
Name the four types of fronts
Name the major types of clouds
Name the major storm types
Name the two types of atmospheric pressure
Identify major weather symbols used on weather maps
Discuss the relationship between weather and the effects of radiation, convection, and conduction
Hypothesize ways human influence global warming
Explain the relationship between the water cycle and cloud formation
Explain the relationship between the cloudÕs name, height, and structure
Illustrate the four types of fronts
Explain the relationship between air pressure systems and fronts
Interpret weather symbols from a map in order to predict the weather
Explain the difference between a hurricane, a thunderstorm, and a tornado
Discuss the Coriolis Effect on wind patterns
Compare the unequal heating of the earthÕs surface and differences in air pressure in the formation of winds
Evaluate the reasons why Connecticut has NorÕeasters and California does not
Construct a table showing the various ways to prepare for different severe weather phenomena
Critical Stance
Articulate the impact of human activity on the greenhouse effect
Examine the evidence for and against the existence of global warming
Determine the weather instruments you would need to become part of a local television stationÕs reporting system
EarthÕs
Moon System
Define weight and mass
Define gravity
Define rotation and revolution
Describe patterns of revolution and rotation between the sun, earth, and moon
Name the phases of the moon
Define solar and lunar eclipses
Define tides
Name the different types of tides
Name the four seasons
Recall the dates of the two equinoxes and solstices
Explain the difference between weight and mass
Explain affect of gravity on the orbital movement of planet in the solar system
Explain revolution and rotation as it pertains to the sun, earth, and moon
Explain why you only see one side of the moon
Compare solar and lunar eclipses
Describe the relationship between the tides, the earthÕs rotation, and the moon
Explain the reason why there are different types of tides
Explain the effect on earthÕs tides by the sun and moon
Model the patterns of revolution and rotation between the sun, earth, and moon
the sun, earth and moon
Model the phases of the moon
Design a model showing both a lunar and solar eclipse
Discuss the relationship between a lunar calendar and a modern calendar
Model the relationship between the tilt of the earth and the four seasons
Critical Stance
Defend the need to continue funding lunar exploration