Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

Course 3 – Grade 8 Science

Unit # 1 Physical Science
Topic 3 Forces and Motion – 19 Days
Unit Overview: Students will look at patterns as they explore atomic theory, structure, bonding, and acids and
bases. This will lead to an understanding of chemical reactions and how materials will be created. Students will then
return to forces and build models to explain the relationship between speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Topic Essential Question

How is the motion of an object affected by forces that act on it?

Lessons
Topic Launch/Quest Kickoff
Lesson 1 Describing Motion and Force
Lesson 2 Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
Lesson 3 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Lesson 4 Friction and Gravitational Interactions
Topic Close –Assessment, Quest Findings

NYSSLS Performance Expectations

MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
MS-PS2-2. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends
on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
MS-PS2-4. Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions
are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects and the distance between them.
MS-PS3-2. Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes,
different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative
amounts of potential energy, not on calculations of potential energy. Examples of objects within systems
interacting

Topic Opener/Launch/Quest Kick Off - 1 Day

PE: MS-PS2-1
SEP: Construction Explanations and Designing Solutions
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

DCI: PS1.A; PS3.C

CCC: Systems and System Models

● Topic Readiness Test

● Interactivity - Build a Better Bumper Car
● Quest Kickoff Video

Lesson 1 – Describing Motion and Force - 4 days

PE: MS-PS2-2
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
DCI: PS1.A
CCC: Stability and Change

Guiding Questions HOT!

● When is an object in motion?
● How do different types of forces affect motion?

Vocabulary
motion
reference point
force
newton
friction
gravity
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

net force

Connect
● TE/SB pp. 120-121
● Hands-On Lab - Is the Force with You?

Investigate
● TE/SB pp. 121-125
● Interactivity - Relative Motion
● Interactivity - Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
● Virtual Lab
● uInvestigate - Motion Commotion
● Video – Contact and Noncontact forces

Synthesize
● TE/SB pp. 126
● Interactivity – Explore Forces
● Quest Check-in - Define Criteria and Constraints

Demonstrate
● Lesson 1 Check - TE/SB pp. 127
● Online Lesson 1 Quiz

Teacher notes:
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

Lesson 2 – Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration – 3 days

PE: MS-PS2.2
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
DCI: PS2.A
CCC: Stability and Change

Guiding Questions HOT!

● How do you determine speed from calculations and distance-versus-time graphs?
● How is velocity related to speed and acceleration?
● How can you interpret graphs to determine acceleration?

Vocabulary
speed
slope
velocity
acceleration
average
variable

Connect
● TE/SB pp. 128-129
● Interactivity - Up to Speed

Investigate
● TE/SB pp. 129-134
● Video – Speed and Acceleration
● Interactivity – Motion Graphs
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

● Interactivity – Falling for Velocity

● uInvestigate – Walking the Walk

Synthesize
● TE/SB pp. 134-136
● Interactivity – How Forces Affect Motion
● Quest Check-in – Mass, Speed, and Colliding Cars

Demonstrate
● Lesson 2 Check TE/SB pp. 137
● Online Lesson 2 Quiz

Teacher notes:

Lesson 3 – Newton’s Laws of Motion– 4 days

PE: MS-PS2.2
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
DCI: PS1.A
CCC: Stability and Change

Guiding Questions HOT!

Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

● How do Newton’s laws of motion describe when and how objects move?
● How does an object’s mass and the forces acting upon an object affect its motion?
● What are action and reaction forces, and how do they impact an object’s motion?

Vocabulary
inertia

Connect
● TE/SB pp. 140-141
● Interactivity - The Ball Stops Rolling

Investigate
● TE/SB pp. 141-146
● Interactivity – How are mass, motion, and force related?
● Video – Action - Reaction
● uInvestigate - Newton Scooters

Synthesize
● TE/SB pp. 146-147
● Interactivity – Going, Going, Gone!
● Quest Check-in – Apply Newton’s Laws of Motion
●
Demonstrate
● Lesson 3 Check TE/SB pp. 148
● Online Lesson 3 Quiz

Teacher notes:
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

Lesson 4 – Friction and Gravitational Interactions – 4 days

PE: MS-PS2-4; MS-PS3.2

SEP: Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
DCI: PS2.B; PS3.A; PS3.C
CCC: Systems and system Models

Guiding Questions HOT!

● What factors affect the different types of friction?

● What factors affect gravity?

● How are gravity and friction related to motion and energy?

Vocabulary
weight

Connect
● TE/SB pp. 150-151
● Interactivity - You Can’t Always coast on your Bicycle
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

Investigate
● TE/SB pp. 151-156
● Interactivity – Exploring Gravity
● Hands-On Lab - Sticky Sneakers
● Video – Gravity
● uInvestigate – Observing Friction

Synthesize
● TE/SB pp. 157
● Interactivity – The Pull of the Tides
● Quest Check-In - Bumping Cars, Bumper Solutions

Demonstrate
● Lesson 4 Check TE/SB pp. 158
● Online Lesson 4 Quiz

Teacher notes:
Grade 8 Unit I Physical Science

Topic Close

● Topic review and assessment TE/SB pp. 160-163

● Quest Finding and Reflection
● Topic Test

Topic 1 Enrichment

Lesson 2
● Case Study - Finding Your Way with GPS

Lesson 3
● Interactivity - Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Lesson 4
● Extraordinary Science- Space-time Curvature and Gravitational Waves

Topic Close
● uDemonstrate Lab – Stopping on a Dime