Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.2.1.6
Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.A.2.1.6
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
- Which of the following are example of a technological system?
- A doorbell
- A mechanical pencil sharpener
- A flashlight
- All of the above
- Define system.
- Choose a simple technological system found in your home. Identify the system then describe a design flaw with it. Explain a possible working solution.
- Answer the following questions about the system shown in the following picture.
- What is the main purpose of the system?
- List at least three of the essential parts of the system and explain their function.
- If part A were removed, would the system still be able to complete its main function? Why or why not?
- Describe one design flaw with the system.
- How could you improve the system?
Answer Key/Rubric
- D.
- A system is a group of parts working together to accomplish a task.
- Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
A can opener is a simple technological system found in my home. Its design flaw is the blade because it cannot be detached and easily cleaned or replaced when it becomes dull. A possible solution would be to attach the blade with a wing nut like a blade is attached to a quilter’s rotary cutter. This would make it easy to clean and change.
- Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
- The main purpose of the system is to sharpen lead pencils.
- The handle which is used to turn the blade, the blade which sharpens the pencil, and the casing that captures the waste from sharpening the pencil are three essential parts to a pencil sharpener.
- If part A were removed then there would be a single sized hole for the pencil. The pencil sharpener would still be able to sharpen pencils but smaller pencils, like number 2 pencils, would wobble and be more difficult to sharpen. The lead might break more often when sharpening a smaller pencil. It would also not be safe because small kids might put their fingers in the hole and cut themselves.
- A design flaw with the system is it cannot sharpen crayons.
- The system could be improved by having a blade that rotates to accommodate sharpening crayons or colored pencils so the pencil sharpening blade does not get ruined. This change would make a lot of teachers really happy.
