LEARN NC

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

Science — Grade 8

Goal 5: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of evidence of evolution in organisms and landforms.

Objective 5.02. Correlate evolutionary theories and processes:

  • Biological.
  • Geological.
  • Technological.

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

Key deer: Evolution and species survival
In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.7
In this lesson, students learn about the evolutionary history of the Key deer, then discuss the animal's prospects for survival in a changing habitat.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.
Analyzing North Carolina's natural history
In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 1.4
These two short activities will allow students to examine the changes that occurred as the earth formed and assess their impact on what is now North Carolina.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science and Social Studies)
By Pauline S. Johnson.

Resources on the web

T. Rex bully
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about research into whether T. rex was a hunter or a scavenger. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related science... (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
The rise and fall of the mammoths
This Science NetLinks lesson is designed to help students develop an understanding of the evolution of species. Specifically, students will use web resources to explore the evolution and extinction of the wooly mammoth. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Paleoanthropology: A complex career choice
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the field of paleoanthropology. They consider how National Geographic Emerging Explorer Dr. Zeray Alemseged chose paleoanthropology as his career as they learn more about the multifaceted field itself. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Mass extinction
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that may cast doubt on the belief that a giant asteroid wiped out most of life on earth almost 250 million years ago. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Introduction to natural selection
This lesson is an introduction to natural selection and is suited to any student who is just beginning his or her discovery of evolution. The motivation introduces a species of bird that became (over millions of years) numerous species, through adaptation.... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Human language
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how, despite apparent differences in language, all language systems possess similar human characteristics. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
From wolf to woof
This lesson introduces students to the process of dog domestication, from wild wolves to modern-day Cocker Spaniels and other familiar breeds. Students will act out two scenarios to see how dogs may have become domesticated, research dog breeds on the Internet,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Fossilized dinosaur heart
Students will distinguish between ornithischian and saurischian dinosaurs and identify traditional distinctions between reptilians and mammals focusing on heart physiology and metabolism. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)
Provided by: Cable News Network
Diving in to save the monk seal
In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the Internet to learn about monk seal research and an ecosystem reserve that has been established in part to protect the seals. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Dinosaur detectives
Students learn that discoveries about dinosaurs have a long history and that each paleontologist adds his or her work to a body of fossil evidence used to support theories about dinosaurs. Students will form groups to conduct research about a particular paleontologist... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: Discovery Channel School
Crocs, then and now
Students investigate the geographical distributions, habitats, and other features of modern crocodilians and the so-called SuperCroc (Sarcosuchus imperator). Students will consider the things they can learn about one species by studying the other. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Bioluminescence: Living light
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about bioluminescent creatures and the underwater world in which they live. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic