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Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.1.3

Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.1.3

Continuum of Activities

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

Activities

  1.  Define inference.

  2. Compare quantitative data and qualitative data. Give one example of each.

  3. Define observation.
  1. 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.

  2. Write a paragraph that describes how scientists use evidence to support inferences about a relationship.

  3. Provided a list of observations, write an inference that it could support.
  1. 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

  1. An inference is a conclusion made on the basis of facts rather than on direct observations.

  2. 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.

  3. An observation is using one of the five senses to perceive objects or events.
  1. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

    1. 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.
    2. Inference – There are seeds inside; the apple is edible; the apple is white inside; the apple grew on a tree.

  2. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

    1. 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.

  3. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

  1. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

    1. Standardized test scores increase
    2. More time spent on homework
    3. Students get more sleep (growing bodies need more rest)
    4. Students have a different sleep cycle (stay up later, sleep in later)
    5. Less absenteeism
    6. Students are more alert

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