Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.D.3.1.1
Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.D.3.1.1
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 rotation. How long does it take Earth to make one complete rotation?
- Define revolution. How long does it take Earth to make one complete revolution around the Sun?
- How long does it take the moon to complete its phases?
- Draw and identify the phases of the moon, starting with the non-illuminated phase.
- Draw a diagram of and explain: solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.
- How does the Earth and Moon movements affects the phases of the moon?
- Explain why the occurrence of total solar eclipses is a rare event for any given point on Earth.
Answer Key/Rubric
- Rotation means to spin on an axis. It take the Earth approximately one day to make a complete rotation. NOTE: Other approximations near one day may be acceptable
- Revolution means to travel on a path around an object. It takes the Earth approximately one year (365 days) to make one revolution. NOTE: Other approximations near one year may be acceptable.
- It takes the moon approximately one month to complete its phases. NOTE: Other approximations may be acceptable, such as 29.5 days.
- Example of drawing/labeling of moon phases:
- Sample diagrams and explanations:
NOTE: three bodies not drawn to scale
- Acceptable answers may include, but are not limited to:
The moon changes phases because of the changing angle of the Sun, moon, and Earth as the moon revolves around the Earth. At the new moon phase, the moon is between the Earth and Sun, illuminating the side of the moon that faces away from Earth. As it revolves, the angle between the three bodies causes the illumination to increase. When the Sun and moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, the entire side of the moon facing the Earth is entirely illuminated, creating a full moon. As it continues its path, illumination decreases back to a new moon.
- Acceptable answers may include, but are not limited to:
The occurrence of a total solar eclipse is rare because as the moon revolves, its orbit is at an angle, making it less probable that the Sun, moon, and Earth will align directly. In addition, when the moon fully blocks a sun, it creates a narrow shadow, so only a small portion of the Earth would experience the effects of a total solar eclipse.
