Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.1.3
Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.1.3
Continuum of Activities
The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.
This continuum of activities offers:
- Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
- Questions/activities that grow in complexity
- Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance
Grade Levels
8th Grade
Course, Subject
Science
Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content
Activities
- Define inference.
- Compare quantitative data and qualitative data. Give one example of each.
- Define observation.
- Your teacher places a red apple on your desk. You may not touch it. Write three observations and three inferences about the apple then construct a T-chart to categorize each accordingly.
- Write a paragraph that describes how scientists use evidence to support inferences about a relationship.
- Provided a list of observations, write an inference that it could support.
- Based on observations and data collected and analyzed by scientists, it has been determined that middle school students should not start school before 8 a.m. What types of evidence do you think scientists used to come to this conclusion? Explain your answers.
Answer Key/Rubric
- An inference is a conclusion made on the basis of facts rather than on direct observations.
- Quantitative data is numerical and measures what we observe like weight, time, and distance.
Examples include, but are not limited to: 6 grams, 15 centimeters, 27 minutes, and 4 meters.
Qualitative data is describes what we observe with our senses.
Examples include, but are not limited to a red bird, the smelly cheese, and the loud bang. - An observation is using one of the five senses to perceive objects or events.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Observation – The skin is red; the skin is smooth; the skin is shiny; there is a wormhole; there is a bruise; there is a stem.
- Inference – There are seeds inside; the apple is edible; the apple is white inside; the apple grew on a tree.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Scientists support inferences about relationships by gathering evidence. Some of the evidence is from first-hand observations and other times it is from information obtained by other scientists. Scientists review the information they have available to them to make inferences about what they are studying.
- Scientists support inferences about relationships by gathering evidence. Some of the evidence is from first-hand observations and other times it is from information obtained by other scientists. Scientists review the information they have available to them to make inferences about what they are studying.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Standardized test scores increase
- More time spent on homework
- Students get more sleep (growing bodies need more rest)
- Students have a different sleep cycle (stay up later, sleep in later)
- Less absenteeism
- Students are more alert
