Earth/Space Science Grade 8  Download an editable version (RTF file)

Standard 1: Understands basic features of the Earth
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the structure of the Earth system
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Understands the Earth is comprised of layers including core, mantle, lithosphere and atmosphere	Earth's layers core mantle lithosphere atmosphere	Knows that the Earth is approximately spherical in shape
b: Understands sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock contain evidence of the minerals, temperature, and forces that created them	rock formation	Knows characteristics of sedimentary rocks Knows characteristics of igneous rocks Knows characteristics of metamorphic rocks
c: Identifies rocks and minerals by comparing their characteristics and properties	identification	Knows the names of common rocks and minerals Knows the characteristics and properties of rocks and minerals that are commonly used for identification purposes	Determines properties of rocks and minerals using appropriate techniques
d: Understands geological events are caused by the movement of plate tectonics	geological event plate tectonics crustal plates	Knows that the Earth's crust is divided into plates Knows that crustal plates move at extremely slow rates in response to movements in the mantle Knows the effects of crustal plate movement on the Earth's surface Knows examples of geological events
e: Knows how land and water formations are created by constructive and destructive forces	land formation water formation constructive force destructive force sedimentation	Knows examples of land formations Knows examples of water formations Knows examples of constructive forces Knows examples of destructive forces Knows effects of constructive and destructive forces on the Earth's surface
f: Understands the Earth's atmospheric structure, composition, and movement affects weather and climate	atmospheric structure atmospheric composition climate pressure density air mass circulation front air current climatic region	Knows the characteristics of the Earth's atmospheric layers Knows the gaseous composition of the Earth's atmosphere Knows the role of temperature, pressure, and density in air movement Knows the global patterns of air currents Knows the major climatic regions on Earth
Standard 2: Understands basic Earth processes
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the Earth's history
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Knows fossils provide evidence about plants and animals that lived long ago and the nature of the environment at that time	environment	Knows that some plants and animals are only found in certain environments Knows that features of plants and animals can be used to infer characteristics of the physical environment in which the organisms lived Knows that environmental conditions change over time
b: Understands the fossil record through geologic evidence; documents the appearance, diversification, and extinction of many life forms	fossil record geologic evidence appearance (of life forms) diversification extinction species	Knows that the characteristic features of a species may change over time Knows that the total number of species on Earth has increased over time Knows that many organisms that once lived on Earth are now extinct
Standard 3: Understands essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe and the Earth's place in it
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the Earth's place in the solar system
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Understands the characteristics of the sun and its position in our solar system	solar system	Knows that the sun has visual characteristics and physical characteristics
b: Understands the characteristics and movement patterns of planets, asteriods, comets, meteors, and stars	asteriod comet meteor	Knows that there are nine planets in the solar system Knows that planets differ in their size, composition, and surface features Knows that planets have some features in common
c: Knows astronomical objects are separated from one another by vast distances and understands the methods used to measure these distances	astronomical object astronomical distance light year
d: Understands how the moon and Earth's movements in relationship to the sun explain: days, years, tides, and eclipses	year tide eclipse rotation revolution orbit	Knows that the moon orbits the Earth Knows that the Earth orbits the sun Knows that the moon's movement patterns are regular and predictable Knows that the Earth's rotation and revolution are regular and predictable
e: Understands gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the rest of the motions in our solar system	gravity orbit solar system	Knows that each planet in our solar system orbits the sun Knows that the motions of objects in our solar system are regular and predictable Knows that all objects exert a gravitational force on one another
f: Knows the sun providess the principle energy for phenomena on the Earth's surface	energy ocean currents water cycle	Knows phenomena that occur on the Earth's surface Knows that Earth processes need an input of energy in order to occur
g: Knows seasons result from the revolution and tilt of the Earth's axis	rotation Earth's axis orbit day length climatic region	Knows that the Earth's axis is tilted relative to Earth's orbit Knows that the characteristics of seasons are determined by the amount of sunlight being received Knows how the Earth's revolution causes a gradual change in day length Knows how the tilt of the Earth's axis influences climatic regions