Manitoba
MY CHILD IN SCHOOL
MY CHILD IN SCHOOL – Informed Parent, Involved Parent

GRADE 8: SCIENCE

What your child is learning

In Grade 8, children investigate cells and systems. They learn about processes that take place inside the cell and use microscopes or prepared images to compare plant and animal cells. Children learn more about light as they explore reflection and refraction, mirrors and lenses and why objects appear to have colour. The eye is examined as a natural optical device with functioning resembling a camera. Learning about properties such as density and compressibility and explaining the relationships among pressure, volume and temperature are some ways that children increase their understanding of fluids. Water systems are another focus in Grade 8 and children investigate a variety of topics including fresh and salt water, ocean currents, erosion, flooding and drinking water.

To find out more about what your child is learning, we encourage you to talk to the teacher. You may also find helpful information on the Curriculum Essentials posters, which are interactive PDFs designed for teachers that provide an overview of the knowledge, processes, and skills for this subject area.

Grade 8 Science Curriculum Essentials posters
Grade 8 Science Curriculum Essentials posters (adobe pdf 555 KB)

The first page gives an overview of what your child will be learning, grouped into big ideas so that the curriculum is easier to understand. The number codes correspond to the curriculum learning outcomes. The arrow at the top of the page highlights the skills and attitudes, which are described in more detail on the third page. These should be integrated throughout the teaching and learning of science. The second page offers a more detailed description about the expectations related to the big ideas and the categories found on the provincial report cards regarding assessment.

You may also wish to refer to the Grades 5-8 Science - Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes.

How your child is assessed

The teacher will assess your child’s progress in the areas described in the WHAT MY CHILD IS LEARNING tab. The teacher will also assess how your child applies scientific inquiry skills, solves problems and makes decisions in science.

Your child’s progress will be reported under three areas of learning:

  • Knowledge and Understanding:What does your child know and understand about the science themes and topics?
  • Scientific inquiry process:Howdoes your child ask questions, generate possible explanations, collect and analyze evidence, and reach conclusions based on evidence?
  • Design process and problem solving: How does your child apply science learning to seek solutions to practical problems

The teacher will report on your child’s progress three times a year. The information from each report helps you to support your child’s learning. You can use it to talk with your child and your child’s teacher about results, strengths, challenges and what your child will be doing next.

Resources

Children are naturally curious and are eager to explore and discover the world that surrounds them.

Cultivate this curiosity. Consider games and toys that nurture the design process and problem solving.

Here’s a few website you can start with to get some ideas.

Try Science  – science activities for children and their families that can be done at home.

Let’s talk science offers a comprehensive database of science activities for the families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a science class look like?

What types of activities do children do in science class?

How do children learn in a science class?

How can I help my child in school?

What is the design process?

What is science inquiry?

Additional FAQ for Immersion