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.

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? In a typical science class you will see various materials that stimulate thinking and exploration such as plants, terrariums, aquariums or collections (rocks, fossils and minerals for example). Children will be using science tools like magnifying glasses, magnets, rulers, binoculars, balances, and where available microscopes. You will also see science reference books, magazines and story books with science themes and there will be space for ongoing investigations and projects.

What types of activities do children do in science class? Children ask questions, share and discuss their ideas and observations and the results of their investigations. They use technology and tools to do research or carry out investigations. Children use their math and language skills as part of their science investigations

How do children learn in a science class? The children work together as a class, in small groups and individually to design and carry out investigations. They are provided opportunities to meet people who use science in their work and daily life. They also experience science outside the classroom in places such as the school yard, a local park, or a nature centre. Children learn by being active and curious participants in the learning process.

How can I help my child in school? Talk with your child about school work. Even if you aren’t familiar with the topic, you can still be an interested listener. If you have science expertise, offer to share it with your child’s class. Give your child access to recyclables, odds and ends, and art material for building and making things. Encourage your child’s natural curiosity. Use your child’s experiences, everyday situations, and news headlines to think about and solve science problems. Your child’s questions can lead to investigations using observations, simple experiments, construction projects, discussions and research.

What is the design process? The design process helps children understand how science and engineering work together to find solutions to practical problems, and assist children in recognizing the important role of creativity in science. Students generate ideas for how to solve a problem, come up with a range of solutions, test the solutions through the building of models or prototypes and then analyze how well the chosen solutions work. The design process helps make science knowledge more meaningful to a child because they apply their science understandings to solve a concrete problem.

What is science inquiry? Science inquiry is a way of learning and being curious about the world. Students address questions about natural phenomena which include observing, predicting, planning investigations, collecting and interpreting information and developing explanations using evidence from their observations. Science inquiry is about learning how a scientist thinks and what a scientist does to answer questions.

Additional FAQ for Immersion How can I help my child if I don’t speak French? Talk with your child about school work. Even if you aren’t familiar with the language of instruction or the topic, you can still be an interested listener. Give your child access to materials in either language. You also can help by giving you child experiences, such as visits to museums and nature sites and encourage his or her natural inquisitive nature.