Climate Change Curriculum Connections 8

SCIENCE 8

Unit E: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems (Social and Environmental Emphasis)

Foundations 1 and 2 – Science, Technology & Society and Knowledge

• Investigate and interpret linkages among landforms, water and climate
  
  
  • investigate and describe stream characteristics
  • identify evidence of glacial action, and analyze factors affecting the growth and attrition of glaciers and polar icecaps
  • describe the movement of ocean currents and its impact on regional climates
• Analyze factors affecting productivity and species distribution in marine and freshwater environments
  
  
  • investigate and interpret examples of seasonal, short-term and long-term change in populations of living things found in aquatic environments
• Analyze human impacts on aquatic systems; and identify the roles of science and technology in addressing related questions, problems and issues
  
  
  • illustrate the role of scientific research in monitoring environments and supporting development of appropriate environmental technologies
  • provide examples of problems that cannot be solved using scientific and technological knowledge alone

Foundation 3 – Skills

Initiating and Planning

• Ask questions about the relationships between and among observable variables, and plan investigations to address those questions
  
  
  • identify science-related issues and problems
  • identify questions to investigate, arising from science-related issues
  • select appropriate methods and tools for collecting relevant data and information
  • design an experiment, and identify the major variables

Performing and Recording

• Conduct investigations into the relationships between and among observations, and gather and record qualitative and quantitative data
  
  
  • research information relevant to a given issue
  • select and integrate information from various print and electronic sources or from several parts of the same source
  • identify strengths and weaknesses of different methods of collecting and displaying data

Analyzing and Interpreting

• Analyze qualitative data, and develop and assess possible explanations
  
  
  • apply given criteria for evaluating evidence and sources of information
  • predict the value of a variable, by interpolating or extrapolating from graphical data
  • interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and explain relationships among the variables
  • identify new questions and problems arising from what was learned

Communication and Teamwork

• Work collaboratively on problems; and use appropriate language and formats to communicate ideas, procedures and results
  
  
  • use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, to communicate ideas, procedures and results
  • communicate questions, ideas, intentions, plans and results, using lists, notes in point form, sentences, data tables, graphs, drawings, oral language and other means
  • evaluate individual and group processes used in planning, problem solving, decision making and completing a task
  • defend a given position on an issue, based on their findings

Foundation 4 – Attitudes

Interest in Science

• Show interest in science-related questions and issues, and pursue personal interests and career possibilities within science-related fields)

Mutual Respect

• Appreciate that scientific understanding evolves from the interaction of ideas involving people with different views and backgrounds

Scientific Inquiry

• Seek and apply evidence when evaluating alternative approaches to investigations, problems and issues

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively in carrying out investigations and in generating and evaluating ideas

Stewardship

• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsibility in pursuing a balance between the needs of humans and a sustainable environment

Safety

• Show concern for safety in planning, carrying out and reviewing activities

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8

General Outcome 1: Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.

1.1 Discover and Explore

• explore diverse ideas to develop conclusions, opinions, and understanding integrate new understanding with previous viewpoints and interpretations

1.2 Clarify and Extend

• articulate, represent, and explain personal viewpoints clearly
• reconsider initial understanding in light of new information, and ask clarifying questions; listen to diverse opinions and recognize ambiguity

General Outcome 2: Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.

2.3 Understand Forms and Techniques

• create original texts [such as descriptions, panel discussions, impersonations, collages, timelines, documentary videos, journals or diaries] to communicate and demonstrate understanding of forms and techniques

General Outcome 3: Manage ideas and information.

3.1 Plan and Focus

• contribute ideas, knowledge, and strategies to help identify group information needs and sources
• prepare and use a plan to access, gather, and record in own words relevant information

3.2 Select and Process

• distinguish between fact and opinion when inquiring or researching using a variety of information sources [such as artifacts, debates, forums, biographies, autobiographies]
• develop and use criteria for evaluating information sources for a particular inquiry or research plan

3.3 Organize, Record and Evaluate

• organize information and ideas in order of priority according to topic and task requirements
• incorporate new information with prior knowledge and experiences; adjust inquiry and research strategies to accommodate changing perspectives and availability of pertinent information

General Outcome 4: Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication

4.1 Generate and Focus

• experiment with several ways to generate ideas and focus a topic
• compose using specific forms [such as biographies, letters to the editor, newspaper articles, audio-visual presentations...] appropriate for content, audience, and purpose

4.4 Present and Share

• plan and facilitate small-group activities and short, whole-class sessions to share information on a topic using a variety of engaging methods [such as mini- lessons, role-plays, visual aids]
• explain, share, and present orally using conventions of public speaking in a variety of settings [such as small-group and whole-class presentations]; use visual aids to enhance the effectiveness of oral presentations

General Outcome 5 Celebrate and build community

5.1 Encourage, Support and Work With Others

• organize and complete tasks cooperatively