JCPS 8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

The JCPS Science Curriculum Maps and Instructional Resources (linked on maps) are congruent to the appropriate KY Core Academic Standards for
each K-12 grade level or course. All pedagogical support reflects the importance of students learning as scientists where they investigate, write,
discuss and read about each topic.
ANNOTATED GUIDE TO THE CURRICULUM MAP:

CONNECTIONS TO THE KY FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING

The Middle School Science Curriculum Maps support teachers in planning and preparation for instruction. The various components of the maps
provide support for teachers in the following areas in the Framework for Teaching:
Domain 1 Planning and Preparation: Components A, C, D, E, F
Domain 3 Instruction: Components A i, Ci, iii, iv, and D I, ii
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JCPS Curriculum and Instruction
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JCPS 8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

Assessment Cycle 1/Unit 1

Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS): MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
1) Ecosystem Dynamics

Assessment 1 Key Focus Topics:

2) Biodiversity 3) Natural Resources and Human Impact

NGSS Dimension 1: Science and Engineering Practices

Recognizing that each of the eight science practices play an important role in every instructional cycle, special emphasis is placed on the following practice(s)
for this standard: Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
NGSS Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts
During this instructional cycle special emphasis will be placed upon making explicit connections between the content and the following crosscutting
concept(s): Patterns, Cause and Effect, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

8th grade has been extensively revised. There is a NEW Teachers Guide for the unit that has been designed to improve NGSS alignment and
the overall coherence of the storyline of the unit.
Unit 1: Ecology Disrupted
NGSS Life Science Disciplinary Core Ideas
(Chap.6)
NGSS Earth Science Disciplinary Core Ideas
(Chap.7)
LS2.B
Food webs are models that demonstrate how
matter and energy is transferred between
producers, consumers, and decomposers as the
three groups interact within an ecosystem.
Transfers of matter into and out of the physical
environment occur at every level.
Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead plant
or animal matter back to the soil in terrestrial
environments of to the water in aquatic
environments. The atoms that make up the

Suggested Unit Learning

Targets

Suggested
Pacing

I can explain how

water collects in a
watershed.
I can describe the
interactions in an
ecosystem.
I can explain
estuaries.

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JCPS Curriculum and Instruction
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~ 8 Days
(Includes 3
Days of Nuts
and Bolts)

Instructional Resources/Teacher Notes

Getting Ready
This is a suite of 3 lessons used to prepare
students to move into cycle 1s
instructional unit focused on the complex
ecosystem topics of ecosystem dynamics,
biodiversity, and natural resources and
human impact.
Lesson 1: Watershed
Lesson 2: Mono Lake
Lesson 3: Estuaries

JCPS 8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

organisms in an ecosystem are cycled
repeatedly between the living and nonliving
parts of the ecosystem. (MS-LS2-3)
LS2.C
Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their
characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions
to any physical or biological component of an
ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its
population. (MS-LS2-4)
Biodiversity describes the variety of species
found in Earths terrestrial and oceanic
ecosystems. The completeness or integrity of
an ecosystems biodiversity is often used to
measure its health. (MS-LS2-5)
ESS3.A
Humans depend on Earths land, ocean,
atmosphere, and biosphere for many different
resources. Minerals, fresh water, and
biosphere resources are limited, and many are
not renewable or replaceable over human
lifetimes. These resources are distributed
unevenly around the planet as a result of past
geologic processes. (MS-ESS3-1)
ESS3.C
Human activities have significantly altered the
biosphere, sometimes damaging or destroying
natural habitats and causing the extinction of
other species. But changes to Earths
environments can have different impacts
(negative and positive) for different living
things. (MS-ESS3-3)

Click here to access Instructional Resources for

Getting Ready
Click here to access Student Sheets for Getting
Ready

I can explain the

feeding
relationships in an
ecosystem.
I can explain what
the stability of an
ecosystem
depends on.
I can explain the
impact of humans
on an ecosystem.
I can explain the
impact of
changing abiotic
factors in an
ecosystem.
I can explain how
human activity
and change
abiotic factors in
an ecosystem.
I can explain the
impact of habitat
fragmentation.
I can explain how
the daily lives of
people can impact
the ecology of
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JCPS Curriculum and Instruction

2015-16
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Chesapeake Bay
Click here to access Instructional Resources for the
Ecology Disrupted Unit.
6 days

Winter Roads

COMING SOON! AVAILABLE JULY 2015!

8 days

Big Horn Sheep

7 days

COMING SOON! AVAILABLE JULY 2015!

JCPS 8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

their
surroundings.
NGSS Performance Expectations
MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earths mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are
the result of past and current geoscience processes.
MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Assessment 1 Key Focus Topics:
Ecosystem Dynamics
Science Proficiency 1
Download SPA 1 from CASCADE window opens 10/9
Biodiversity
Natural Resources and Human Impact

Coming Soon
Assessment Cycles 2-4

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