The following is a basic explanation of the topics we will be covering this year:

Topics covered by quarter:

First Quarter:  Ecology

Second Quarter:  Matter

Third Quarter:  Chemistry

Fourth Quarter:  Physics

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Greenville Middle School 8th Grade Science and Science and Beyond

The first quarter we will study ecology.  We will take an in depth look at factors that affect the world around us, with a focus on Wisconsin wetlands. We will

also discuss many types of pollution, with an emphasis on the water cycle and water pollution. Aquatic invertebrates as indicator species will also be observed.  Part of our unit will include a day of field study at Bubolz Nature Preserve where students will collect aquatic invertebrates, test for limiting factors and compare and contrast the changes in the pond ecosystems over the last several years.  We will conclude with a look at land pollution and decomposers.  Students will dissect the decomposition bottle that they built in seventh grade to see what remains and what doesn’t.

During the second quarter we will be studying matter.  Students will begin by learning about physical and chemical properties of matter.  This will

include discussing the different states of matter.  We will then move on to the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures.  From here students will take an in depth look at the atom.  The quarter will culminate with a discussion of the periodic table and how the elements fit into it.  Several lab activities will be used to help get these ideas across to the students. 

The third quarter is a real blast, literally! During this quarter we study chemistry. Here the students will take what they learned about the basic structure of the atom in the second quarter

and learn how it bonds with other atoms to form new materials. The different types of bonding will be covered as well as the law of conservation of mass and balancing equations. Solutions, acids, and bases will also be covered. The class will include lab activities and several demonstrations that are sure to be exciting.

The fourth quarter is when science really gets moving! The students study physics at this time. They will study the laws of forces and motion, the mathematical equations that go

along with it, as well as several other concepts.  The students participate in several labs that investigate these concepts.  Along the way they will be encouraged to think critically about problem solving and  careful work habits to solve the physics work.

Independent Labs

Throughout the year there are several independent labs set up in the back of the room.  These are labs designed to review lab/science skills with the students.  Examples of topics covered are measuring and converting in the metric system, using a triple beam balance, using a graduate cylinder, calculating the density of an object and so on.  All of the material needed for the lab is at that back table and the students have four to five weeks to complete the lab.  The whole lab may take them ten to fifteen minutes to complete, so they just need to find a short time span sometime during the lab’s duration to work on it.  Students may work on it during science class if there is work time, they can work on it at Help period, during lunch, or after school if necessary.  Once they are finished, they turn in their lab.  The labs are then graded after the due date.