8th Grade Science Guide

8.3: Ecology 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

STANDARD ●​ 8.3.1 Plan and conduct an investigation and use the evidence to construct an explanation of how photosynthetic organisms use energy to transform matter. Emphasize molecular and energy transformations during photosynthesis. (MS-LS1-7)

CONCEPTS

SKILLS

●​ Photosynthetic organisms ●​ Energy and transformation of matter ●​ photosynthesis

●​ Plan and conduct ●​ Investigate ●​ Explain

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS

●​ Plants, aglae, and many microorganisms use energy from the light to make sugars. ●​ In photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water change into sugar and oxygen through a chemical reaction. ●​ Sugars can be used immediately or stored for growth or later use in the organism. ●​ Oxygen is then released from the organism. ●​ The energy for this chemical reaction is heat energy from the Sun. VOCABULARY ●​ Photosynthesis ●​ Organism ●​ Energy ●​ transform ●​ Reactant ●​ Energy transfer ●​ Light energy ●​ Chemical energy ●​ Carbon dioxide ●​ oxygen POSSIBLE PHENOMENA ●​ Maple syrup is collected from maple trees in the spring. ●​ An aquatic leaf placed in a test tube with water and under a lamp produces bubbles. ●​ The tree in your front yard starts to bud and grow leaves in the spring. ●​ A time lapse of carbon absorption on the Earth shows that more carbon is being absorbed during the summer months. END OF UNIT COMPETENCY WITH LANGUAGE SUPPORTS ●​ I can conduct an investigation and use evidence to explain how photosynthetic organisms use energy. ○​ Language Supports: ■​ Abstract nouns to introduce concepts (effect, relationship) ■​ Connectors to link clauses (as a result of, therefore, instead, however, on the other hand) ■​ Clause types to express causality (if/then)