8th Grade Science TEKS Objectives

Science TEKS outline a curriculum for teachers in Texas to follow for the eighth grade.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) contains the knowledge and skills the state of Texas deems necessary for students to master. Science at the eighth grade level has 14 objectives all of which are sub-divided to better define the objectives. These objectives are divided into two main categories. Objectives 8.1 through 8.5 focus on the scientific process; the remaining objectives all deal with basic science concepts. By focusing on the TEKS objectives, students will be ready for the high school curriculum and state exams.

Objective 8.1 and Objective 8.2

The first two objectives focus on field research. Objective 8.1 requires that "the student conduct field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices." This object has two sub-objectives about making good choices in regards to resources and disposal of materials. The sub-objectives also ask students to demonstrate safe laboratory practices.

Objective 8.2 states "the student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations." The five sub-objectives further define this objective. They divide the objective into planning, collection of data, organizing data, coming to conclusions and creating charts and graphs to show results.

Objective 8.3 and 8.5

Objective 8.3 and objective 8.5 focus on connecting science lessons beyond the classroom. Objective 8.3 says, "the student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions." This objective is divided into five sub-objectives. The sub-objectives not only ask students to think critically about materials presented to them and the results they find in their own scientific inquiries, but also to connect this information to other subjects such as history.

Objective 8.5 states, "the student knows that relationships exist between science and technology." The three sub-objectives have students looking at design problems and testing solutions to the problems or improving the design.

Objective 8.4

Objective 8.4 expects that "the student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry." The sub-objectives ask students to be familiar with beakers, Petri dishes, test tubes and other laboratory equipment.

Objective 8.6

Objective 8.6 is the first objective looking at science concepts. It says, "The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems." The three sub-objectives deal with human life, animal life and ecosystems.

Objective 8.7

Objective 8.7 states, "the student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion." The first sub-objective has students look at the changes in speed and directions of objects in the presence of an unbalanced force. The second sub-objective asks students to look at wave interaction through different media.

Objective 8.8 and 8.9

Both objectives 8.8 and 8.9 focus on what matter is made of and the properties of matter. Objective 8.8 requires that "the student knows that matter is composed of atoms." The two sub-objectives look at the structure of atoms and the properties of atoms.

Objective 8.9 says, "The student knows that substances have chemical and physical properties." This objective has four sub-objectives. The first three sub-objectives look strictly at chemicals and their reactions. The fourth sub-objective mixes the physical and chemical properties.

Objective 8.10

Objective 8.10 requires students to know "that complex interactions occur between matter and energy." The three sub-objectives further define the objective into matter and energy, natural energy, and loss or gain of energy.

Objective 8.11

This objective requires "the student knows that traits of species can change through generations and that the instruction for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organism." The first sub-objective focuses on how the environment affects a species. The second and third sub-objectives introduce students to genetic traits and combinations.

Objective 8.12 and 8.14

Objectives 8.12 and 8.14 both focus on the environment. Objective 8.12 says, "The student knows that cycles exist in Earth systems." Each of the three sub-objectives teaches students about different types of cycles such as lunar cycles, climate changes and water cycles.

Objective 8.14 states, "the student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems." The three sub-objectives focus on changes already made and predictions for the future.

Objective 8.13

This objective requires that "the student knows characteristics of the universe." There are three sub-objectives. Each of the sub-objectives focuses on different areas within the universe such as stars, the concept of light years and theories about the origin of the universe.

References

• Darul Arqam School: 8th grade Science TEKS