Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.2.4
Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.1.2.4
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
- Which of the following advances in transportation technology allow farmers and food manufacturers to ship products to multiple locations without having it spoil?
- Refrigerator trucks
- Airplanes
- Trains
- All of the above
- List two advances in agriculture technology.
- Briefly describe how advances in farm technology have changed over time. Explain their impact on today’s farmer.
- Technology is defined as real-world application of knowledge in a specific area. Describe two advances in farming and explain their effect on society’s standard of living. Provide examples to support your statements.
- Advances in farming have reduced the number of small local farms. Instead of buying locally, many people shop at large grocery stores that provide a greater selection of foods and many seasonal fruits and vegetables year round that are provided by factory farms. There is a growing movement to buy locally because it reduces impact on the environment. What are some of the environmental impacts caused by modern farming technology (production, transportation, processing)? Defend your responses.
Answer Key/Rubric
- D.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Gas-powered farming equipment (tractors, harvesters, combines)
- Food preservation methods (freezing, factory canning, prepared foods)
- Transportation (refrigerator trucks and train cars, planes)
- Genetics (GMO, hybrids)
- Answers may include, but are not limited to:
- In the past farmers used horse (or man) drawn plows to till their fields and harvest many of their crops by hand. Today farmers use gas powered tractors to plow their fields, combines to harvest corn, bailers to bail hay, etc. These machines require less man-power and allow farmers to farm their land quicker and produce more per acre than in the past.
- In the past farmers used horse (or man) drawn plows to till their fields and harvest many of their crops by hand. Today farmers use gas powered tractors to plow their fields, combines to harvest corn, bailers to bail hay, etc. These machines require less man-power and allow farmers to farm their land quicker and produce more per acre than in the past.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Transportation – Foods that are not grown or produced in one part of the world can now be transported globally. For example, strawberries can be enjoyed year round in Pennsylvania instead of only in the late spring.
- Storage – Advances in food storage, such as apple warehouses, allow some seasonal foods to be available all year long.
- Processing – Freezing, canning, and prepared foods by large food processors has increased the availability and variety of food.
- Production – Modern farming equipment allows farmers to be more efficient. They are able to plant and harvest in less time with gas-powered tractors and harvesting equipment which increases the supply and variety of food in the stores.
- Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
- Depletion of fossil fuels – The use of petroleum products used to power and maintain the trucks, trains, and planes that transport food would be reduced.
- Air pollution/Global warming – With fewer trucks, trains, and planes transporting food products there would be less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
- Waste disposal – Factory farms are often contain large quantities of animal waste which can pollute the air, land, and water. On smaller farms it is used to sustain the farm.
- Water pollution – Animal waste and chemicals, used in farming and food production, can find their way into water sources.
