7th Science
We are currently working on our ecology unit. Below is the standard and the indicators that support it.

Summarize the characteristics of the levels of organization within ecosystems (including populations, communities, habitats, niches, and biomes).

Illustrate energy flow in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids

Explain the interaction among changes in the environment due to natural hazards (including landslides, wildfires, and floods), changes in populations, and limiting factors (including climate and the availability of food and water, space, and shelter).

Summarize how the location and movement of water on Earth's surface through groundwater zones and surface-water drainage basins, called watersheds, are important to ecosystems and to human activities.

Classify resources as renewable or nonrenewable and explain the implications of their depletion and the importance of conservation.

8th science
We are currently working on learning about the processes that shape Earth. Below is the standard and the indicators that support it.

Standard 8-3:

The student will demonstrate an understanding of materials that determine the structure of Earth and the processes that have altered this structure. (Earth Science)   Suggested aligned resources (website links, suggested literature, streaming video, etc.)

    Indicators:

	8-3.1	Summarize the three layers of Earth-crust, mantle, and core-on the basis of relative position, density, and composition.
	8-3.2	Explain how scientists use seismic waves-primary, secondary, and surface waves-and Earth's magnetic fields to determine the internal structure of Earth.
	8-3.3	Infer an earthquake's epicenter from seismographic data.
	8-3.4	Explain how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are interrelated in the rock cycle.
	8-3.5	Summarize the importance of minerals, ores, and fossil fuels as Earth resources on the basis of their physical and chemical properties.
	8-3.6	Explain how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for the motion of the lithospheric plates, the geologic activities at the plate boundaries, and the changes in landform areas over geologic time.
	8-3.7	Illustrate the creation and changing of landforms that have occurred through geologic processes (including volcanic eruptions and mountain-building forces).
	8-3.8	Explain how earthquakes result from forces inside Earth.
	8-3.9	Identify and illustrate geologic features of South Carolina and other regions of the world through the use of imagery (including aerial photography and satellite imagery) and topographic maps.

We are concentrating on 8-3.6 and are using hands-on labs,class discussions and note taking to master the material.