LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 8

Goal 4: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize technology and information systems to build an understanding of chemistry.

Objective 4.05. Identify substances based on characteristic physical properties:

  • Density.
  • Boiling/Melting points.
  • Solubility.
  • Chemical reactivity.
  • Specific heat.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Winter advisory: The effect of salt on the freezing point of water
In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.9
In this lesson, students complete a lab to help them understand the effect of salt on the freezing point of water. Students discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using salt as a de-icing and anti-icing agent on roads.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Science)
By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.
Forensic scientists: Identifying unknown substances
In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.10
In this lesson, students use the physical properties of three mystery substances to determine their identities. Students discuss how these skills apply to careers in forensic science.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.
Fluid Properties and scale models: Applying the Reynolds Number
In A mathematical model to describe fluid behavior, page 3
During this lesson, students will gain a more realistic understanding of the use of scale models and understand that conditions beyond similarity of the objects are necessary for a scale model to function in the same manner as the actual object. The students will gain knowledge of how the properties of fluids, specifically density and viscosity, affect the movement of fluid around objects.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Jenny Rucker.
Discovering elements online
Students will work independently and in small groups to research assigned elements on the internet with sites given in advance. They will then contribute to a class database with their individual information. The database will then be made available for students to again work independently and in pairs to answer questions created from a class discussion to discover relationships about the elements.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Information Skills and Science)
By Trish Loudermilt.
Density of common liquids
Each lab team will determine the density of water and one of the sample liquids. The class will then compile their information.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Sansia Coble.

Resources on the web

Pizza cheese
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear why the cheese on pizza tastes different when it is reheated versus when it is originally baked. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Liquid density and oil spills
Students will conduct a simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water, glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students will then transfer this concept to an examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
It's a crash test, Dummy
This Science NetLinks lesson begins with an Internet exploration of how air bags in cars were developed to solve a very practical problem: saving lives in automobile accidents. It also examines some of the safety issues surrounding air bags. Students do... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science