Grade 6
Build models, establish evidence habits and connect ideas.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 6 curriculum map →Browse Grade 6 lessons →Middle School Curriculum Explorer · Grades 6–8
See the path.
Build understanding.
Explore a suggested progression, find a useful next lesson, and make the thinking visible. For parents, homeschool families, tutors and teachers.
96 original mini-lessons3 grades8 subjects
A starter map of selected skills, with practice and answers. Science and social studies sequences are suggested; electives and local requirements vary.
Follow a question.
Explain your thinking.
Grade → Subject → Unit → Lesson
Start with the bigger picture.
Grade 7
Compare explanations, strengthen reasoning and revise with purpose.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 7 curriculum map →Browse Grade 7 lessons →Grade 8
Synthesize evidence, evaluate alternatives and work more independently.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 8 curriculum map →Browse Grade 8 lessons →Find a practical next step
Which skill comes next?
96 matching lessons
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Unit Rates at the Notebook Shop
Compare prices and travel speeds by finding a quantity per one unit.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.RP.A.3.bGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Fraction Servings and Decimal Costs
Connect fraction division to a serving model, then check a decimal purchase.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.A.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.B.3Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Rational Numbers Above and Below Zero
Use signed coordinates and absolute value to interpret elevation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.C.7.aGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.C.7.cGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Expressions, equations and shape
Expressions and Equations for a Garden
Translate a cost rule into an expression and solve a one-step equation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.EE.A.2.cGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.EE.B.7Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Expressions, equations and shape
Triangle Area and a Box Net
Decompose a triangle and unfold a box to keep area measures meaningful.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.G.A.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.G.A.4Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Questions and data distributions
Dot Plots and Reading-Time Distributions
Describe a small data set with a dot plot, center and variation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.SP.B.4Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.SP.B.5.cGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Reading closely
Theme in a Missed Rehearsal
Use a character’s choices to infer a theme without reducing it to a single topic.
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.6.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.6.2Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Reading closely
Central Idea and the Tool Library
Explain how a paragraph develops a central idea instead of listing unrelated facts.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.2Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.5Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
A Claim for a Quiet Reading Corner
Separate a supported claim from a persuasive statement with no evidence.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.8Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.1Grade 6
Grade 6 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
Research Notes for an Informative Explanation
Paraphrase two fictional sources and explain a process with basic attribution.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.2Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.8Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
One Moment, Two Narrative Views
Develop a short scene through a consistent narrator and sensory details.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.3Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 3 · Language and discussion
Clear Pronouns and an Evidence Talk
Revise ambiguous references, infer a word from context and discuss a text respectfully.
Contributes to Common Core standardL.6.1.dGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardL.6.4.aGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardSL.6.1Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
What Can Seedling Data Tell Us?
Plan a fair light comparison and separate a measured pattern from a conclusion.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-5Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
A Cell Works as a Team
Build a model connecting cell parts with the needs of the whole cell.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Draw What Warming Changes
Connect a short scientific description to particle diagrams of a pure substance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Follow Water Along More Than One Path
Model a branching water cycle and identify the drivers of movement.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS2-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Why the Moon’s Shape Seems to Change
Use a top-view paper model to distinguish illumination from Earth-based appearance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS1-1Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Which Shade Shelter Meets the Brief?
Compare competing designs with a clear decision rule and acknowledge tradeoffs.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Geography and Place
Read a River Valley Description
Use context and geographic vocabulary to interpret a fictional settlement memo.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.4Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Geography and Place
Settlement Patterns and Evidence
Connect a small visual display to a written account without claiming a single cause.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Sources and Historical Change
Compare a Diary and a Later Account
Analyze the relationship between two clearly labeled fictional source models.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.9Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Sources and Historical Change
Sequence Is Not the Same as Cause
Compare chronological and causal accounts of a fictional town’s bridge project.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.5Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Civic and Economic Choices
Choose a Community Proposal with Evidence
Support a public-choice claim with relevant fictional data and a clear tradeoff.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionWHST.6-8.1.bGrades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Civic and Economic Choices
Scarcity, Opportunity Cost and Claims
Distinguish facts, opinions and reasoned judgments in an economic choice.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.8Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Looking and Composing
Guide the Eye with Contrast
Use light, dark and placement to create a focal point, then explain the design choices.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.4Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Looking and Composing
Describe, Interpret, Revise
Distinguish observation from interpretation and use a critique to revise a composition.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.1.dGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Patterns and Musical Form
Read and Build a Four-Beat Rhythm
Represent a steady beat with quarter notes, paired eighth notes and rests using words or sound.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.dGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Patterns and Musical Form
Hear and Show ABA Form
Organize an original rhythmic idea into a returning A section and a contrasting B section.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.5Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Movement Choices and Cooperation
Create Space in a Passing Game
Use a paper game model to explain how moving into space creates a passing option.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.bGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Movement Choices and Cooperation
Design a More Inclusive Game
Compare two rule changes and ask questions that clarify participation and fairness.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.1.cGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Instructions and Digital Decisions
Write an Algorithm Someone Else Can Follow
Write and debug an unplugged algorithm that moves a marker through a grid.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.aGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Instructions and Digital Decisions
Read a Privacy Claim Carefully
Evaluate a fictional app description without sharing personal information or opening an account.
Supporting Common Core connectionRI.6.8Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Proportions and rational operations
Proportional Printing and Percent Changes
Test a pricing table and distinguish a percent discount from a fixed reduction.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.RP.A.2.bGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.RP.A.3Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Proportions and rational operations
Rational Operations on a Trail
Interpret signed gains and losses using fractions and decimals.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.NS.A.1.cGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.NS.A.2Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Equations and geometric models
Equations and Inequalities for a Club
Use a membership fee to separate one exact total from a spending limit.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.EE.B.4.aGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.EE.B.4.bGrade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Equations and geometric models
Scale Drawings and a Circular Garden
Translate a scaled plan into actual lengths and measure a circular feature.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.G.A.1Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.G.B.4Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Sampling and probability
A More Representative Lunch Survey
Evaluate a survey sample before generalizing to a whole school.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.SP.A.1Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.SP.A.2Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Sampling and probability
Chance Models with Two Spins
List compound outcomes and compare a probability model with a small experiment.
Contributes to Common Core standard7.SP.C.8.bGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standard7.SP.C.7Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Comparing ideas and perspectives
A Bridge, a Storm and Conflicting Views
Analyze how setting changes choices and how two characters interpret the same event.
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.7.1Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.7.2Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.7.6Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Comparing ideas and perspectives
Two Central Ideas in a Seed Library
Track how access and recordkeeping develop across sections of an explanation.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.7.2Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.7.5Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Developing and revising writing
Library Hours and a Counterclaim
Build an argument that acknowledges a reasonable opposing concern.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.7.8Grade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardW.7.1.aGrade 7
Grade 7 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Developing and revising writing
Synthesize Research on Shared Bikes
Combine information from two fictional documents while checking what each can establish.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.7.2.aGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardW.7.8Grade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Developing and revising writing
Narrative Pacing in a Power Outage
Slow a key moment with dialogue and sensory detail while keeping other events brief.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.7.3.bGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardW.7.3.eGrade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 3 · Precision and collaborative inquiry
Modifiers, Precision and a Changing View
Repair a dangling modifier and use new evidence to refine a discussion claim.
Contributes to Common Core standardL.7.1.cGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardL.7.3.aGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardL.7.4.aGrade 7
Contributes to Common Core standardSL.7.1.dGrade 7
Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Living Connections
Matter Cycles, Energy Flows
Revise a food-web model to include decomposers and a system boundary.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS2-3Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Living Connections
What a Punnett Model Predicts
Use a simple inheritance model while distinguishing probabilities from guaranteed family outcomes.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS3-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.3Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Changes in Matter and Motion
Rearrange Atoms Without Losing Them
Use paper tokens to model conservation in a chemical change.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-5Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Changes in Matter and Motion
Which Cart Comparison Is Fair?
Use experimental descriptions to isolate force and mass variables.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS2-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Watersheds and Solutions
Where Does the Rain Go?
Connect a runoff diagram, measurements and an environmental-impact proposal.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS3-3Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Watersheds and Solutions
Choose a Filter Without Overclaiming
Evaluate competing designs from multiple test measures and define a fair next test.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Trade, Geography and Change
How Geography Changes a Trade Decision
Read a route diagram and compare costs without assuming physical geography determines every outcome.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Trade, Geography and Change
A Timeline Is Not a Cause
Separate chronological sequence from a causal argument in a model of industrial change.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.5Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Viewpoints and Institutions
Two Viewpoints on a Factory Rule
Analyze how purpose and selected details shape two contrasting historical-style accounts.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.6Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Viewpoints and Institutions
Who Has Which Government Job?
Read a short constitutional excerpt alongside a civic explanation of divided responsibilities.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Markets and Negotiation
What Does a Market Shortage Explain?
Distinguish observed transactions from predictions and opinions about prices.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.8Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Markets and Negotiation
Negotiate a Shared River Decision
Use a bounded resource scenario to support a proposal and respond to a competing claim.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionWHST.6-8.1.bGrades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Space and Interpretation
Create Depth with Overlap and Scale
Combine spatial cues in a drawing and explain how they work together.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.7.2.bGrade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Space and Interpretation
When a Caption Changes the Image
Test how caption context changes interpretation while keeping visual evidence constant.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.7.1.dGrade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Form and Arrangement
Show Repetition and Contrast in a Rhythm Map
Use a visual score to make a repeated motif and one controlled variation clear to a listener.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.7.5Grade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Form and Arrangement
Arrange Complementary Rhythm Layers
Combine two rhythm parts while keeping an identifiable pulse and explaining their different roles.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.7.2.dGrade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Strategy and Evidence
Evaluate a Coaching Claim
Distinguish an observed result from a claim that a strategy always works.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.7.3Grade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Strategy and Evidence
Build an Adaptable Skill-Practice Plan
Organize a short skill-practice plan that changes when evidence shows the task is too easy or too difficult.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.7.2.aGrade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 25 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Logic and Information Quality
Trace a Conditional Algorithm
Trace an if/else rule and a repeated action using small supplied inputs.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.7.2.dGrade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 7 · 30 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Logic and Information Quality
Test the Evidence Behind an App Claim
Evaluate whether a fictional product claim is supported by relevant and sufficient evidence.
Supporting Common Core connectionRI.7.8Grade 7
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number magnitude and powers
Roots, Powers and Scientific Notation
Estimate an irrational length and communicate quantities using powers of ten.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.NS.A.2Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.EE.A.1Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.EE.A.4Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Functions and linear systems
Linear Functions in a Bike-Rental Model
Connect a table, graph and equation while distinguishing linear from nonlinear change.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.F.A.1Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.F.A.3Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.F.B.4Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Functions and linear systems
Systems for Two Ticket Types
Use two constraints to solve for two unknown ticket counts.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.EE.C.8.aGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.EE.C.8.cGrade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Geometry and bivariate evidence
Transformations, Congruence and Similarity
Track vertices through rigid motions and a dilation.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.G.A.2Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.G.A.3Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.G.A.4Grade 8
Grade 8 · 35 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Geometry and bivariate evidence
Right Triangles and Round Containers
Apply right-triangle reasoning and distinguish three round-solid volume formulas.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.G.B.7Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.G.C.9Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Geometry and bivariate evidence
Scatter Plots and Plant-Growth Models
Fit a simple line to paired measurements without claiming a causal result.
Contributes to Common Core standard8.SP.A.1Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.SP.A.2Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standard8.SP.A.3Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Interpreting complexity
Dramatic Irony and a Hidden Letter
Choose the strongest evidence for an interpretation of a character’s mistaken belief.
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.8.1Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.8.2Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.8.6Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Interpreting complexity
Paragraph Structure in a Shade Trial
Analyze how a writer qualifies an initial claim with comparison evidence and a limitation.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.8.5Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.8.6Grade 8
Grade 8 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Independent writing decisions
Device Lockers: Weigh the Claim and Counterclaim
Distinguish relevant evidence from an impressive but unrelated fact in a policy argument.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.8.8Grade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.1.aGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.1.cGrade 8
Grade 8 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Independent writing decisions
Research Synthesis for a Community Archive
Weigh source authority, distinguish evidence from speculation and organize a bounded explanation.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.2.aGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.8Grade 8
Grade 8 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Independent writing decisions
Revise a Narrative for a Deliberate Effect
Use pacing, reflection and a purposeful ending to reshape a short narrative.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.3.bGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardW.8.5Grade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 3 · Voice and evidence-led decisions
Voice, Mood and a Qualified Decision
Choose active or passive voice deliberately and revise a group conclusion in light of evidence.
Contributes to Common Core standardL.8.3.aGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardL.8.4.aGrade 8
Contributes to Common Core standardSL.8.1.dGrade 8
Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Systems, Evidence and Variation
How Strong Is the Ecosystem Claim?
Evaluate an ecological argument using paired sites, time patterns and an alternative explanation.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS2-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.8Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Systems, Evidence and Variation
Compare Two Ways of Passing on Information
Use chromosome-card models to contrast inheritance in sexual and asexual reproduction.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS3-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Energy and Experimental Reasoning
Explain a Heating Plateau
Integrate a simple heating table with a particle model without treating all added energy as rising temperature.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Energy and Experimental Reasoning
Audit a Force-and-Mass Investigation
Critique a flawed experimental report and redesign it for interpretable evidence.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS2-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Earth Patterns and Design Decisions
Seasons Need a Tilted-Axis Model
Explain seasonal patterns through axis tilt, sunlight angle and day length.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS1-1Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Earth Patterns and Design Decisions
Choose and Improve a Stormwater Plan
Combine design constraints, uncertain results and monitoring in an environmental recommendation.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Patterns and Historical Claims
When Population Maps Tell Different Stories
Distinguish totals, rates and regional variation when interpreting population evidence.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Patterns and Historical Claims
Test a Claim About the Emancipation Proclamation
Compare a primary document’s scope with a later explanatory account.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.9Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Rights and Government
What Did the Nineteenth Amendment Change?
Connect a constitutional rule to chronology while distinguishing legal protection from universal access.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.2Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Rights and Government
Read a Federalism Claim Carefully
Use a constitutional clause and a hypothetical dispute to distinguish delegated powers from a complete legal answer.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Policy and Corroboration
A Budget Reveals Priorities
Evaluate a fictional public budget with explicit tradeoffs and an opposing argument.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionWHST.6-8.1.bGrades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Policy and Corroboration
Three Accounts, How Many Sources?
Evaluate source dependence and explain what corroboration can and cannot establish.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.9Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Visual Arguments and Critique
Design a Visual Message with Evidence
Use hierarchy and a simple data display to support a clearly limited message.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.8.5Grade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Visual Arguments and Critique
Defend a Curatorial Choice
Choose an artwork for a specific exhibition purpose and acknowledge a credible alternative.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.8.1.aGrade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Interpretation and Arrangement
Explain How a Motif Changes Character
Compare versions of the same rhythm and explain how tempo and dynamics affect an intended interpretation.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.8.2.bGrade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Interpretation and Arrangement
Present an Arrangement with Purpose
Arrange two parts to make a returning motif clear and explain the decisions with an annotated score.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.8.5Grade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Tactical Decisions and Fair Evidence
Choose a Team Strategy Under Constraints
Use a fictional trial record to defend a strategy while acknowledging its tradeoffs and limits.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.8.1.bGrade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Tactical Decisions and Fair Evidence
Question a Misleading Rule-Change Speech
Analyze a spoken argument that mixes useful evidence, an irrelevant detail and an unsupported universal claim.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.8.3Grade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 35 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Data Decisions and Digital Claims
Audit a Rule-Based Sorting System
Trace a small automated rule and explain why its output depends on the data and criteria chosen.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.8.2.bGrade 8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 8 · 30 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Data Decisions and Digital Claims
Compare Conflicting Digital-Service Claims
Distinguish a factual disagreement from a different interpretation of the same digital-service evidence.
Supporting Common Core connectionRI.8.9Grade 8
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