GRADE 8 BIOLOGY

Fall Semester

Topics

  • Respiration:
    • Human respiratory system (structure and function)
    • Gas exchange (diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air in the lungs)
    • Breathing and respiration (the difference between them)
    • Process of aerobic respiration and its equation
    • Blood (blood cells and the transport role of blood plasma)
  • Ecosystems:
    • Example of a biological community (Sonoran Desert)
    • Diversity of ecosystems on Earth (variety of habitats within ecosystems)
    • Invasive species in an ecosystem
    • Bioaccumulation of toxins in an ecosystem

Spring Semester

Topics

  • Nutrition and Growth:
    • Nutrients and their functions in a balanced diet (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, minerals – e.g., iron and calcium, vitamins – e.g., A, C, and E)
    • Carbohydrates and fats as energy sources and animals as heterotrophs
    • Growth, development, and health (role of lifestyle factors, diet, and smoking)
    • Body movement (bones, types of joints, muscles in antagonistic pairs)
  • Animal Kingdom:
    • Main characteristics of animals (animal cell, defining characteristics of animals, basic needs of all animals)
    • Invertebrates (sponges, cnidarians, worms, molluscs, echinoderms, arthropods - basic features and benefits of studying them)
    • Vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals - basic features and benefits of studying them)

Fall Semester

Assessments

  • Formative:
    • Student performance in the lesson, task completion, discussion participation, and starter/exit activities will be continuously evaluated throughout the semester and recorded in the sheet of “hearts”.
    • Each 10 hearts will be graded for a total of 2 grades per semester.
  • Summative:
    • Unit tests at the end of each unit (2 tests).
    • Lab report on modelling respiration.
  • TOTAL NUMBER OF GRADES: 5

Spring Semester

Assessments

  • Formative:
    • Student performance in the lesson, task completion, discussion participation, and starter/exit activities will be continuously evaluated throughout the semester and recorded in the sheet of “hearts”.
    • Each 10 hearts will be graded for a total of 2 grades per semester.
  • Summative:
    • Unit test at the end of the first unit (1 test).
    • Cambridge Progression Test for Stage 8.
    • Science Project - Research project about one group of animals and creating a habitat for a representative species of this group using AI.
    • Notebook check - whole year’s content.
  • TOTAL NUMBER OF GRADES: 6