CRCT

Study
Grade 8

Guide
Reading
English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Table of Contents

Using the CRCT Study Guide 1

About the CRCT Overview of the CRCT 2

What is the CRCT?
What does the CRCT measure?
How are CRCT questions scored?

Preparing for the CRCT 3

Test-Taking Strategies
Related Links

Chapter 1 Reading 9
Reading Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition
Literary Comprehension
Information and Media Literacy
Practice Quiz
Solutions

Chapter 2 English/Language Arts 23

Grammar/Sentence Construction
Research/Writing Process
Practice Quiz
Solutions

Chapter 3 Mathematics 37
Number and Operations
Geometry
Algebra
Data Analysis and Probability
Practice Quiz
Solutions
Chapter 4 Science 61
Structure of Matter
Force and Motion
Energy and Its Transformation
Practice Quiz
Solutions

Chapter 5 Social Studies 75

History
Geography
Government/Civics
Economics
Practice Quiz
Solutions
Using the CRCT Study Guide

This Study Guide focuses on the knowledge and skills that are tested on the
Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). It is designed for
teachers to use with their students and for parents to use with their children.
Go to www.gadoe.org/ to find further information about and support for
the CRCT.

Use the following section of this guide, About the CRCT, for an overview of the
CRCT and for test-taking strategies to review with your students.

– The content tested on the CRCT is based on the Georgia Performance

Standards, which describe what all students should know, understand, and be
able to do.

The chapters of this guide are organized by subject. In each chapter you can
explore the skills needed to succeed in a specific, tested domain (grouping of
similar content standards). The subject chapters include a snapshot of each
domain, instructional Activities that address covered skills, and a Practice
Quiz with annotated Solutions to help assess student progress.


About the CRCT

Overview of the CRCT

What is the CRCT?

The CRCT is a series of state-mandated achievement tests for students
in Grades 1 through 8. In Grades 3 through 8, the subject areas of reading,
English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are covered.

What does the CRCT measure?

The CRCT measures how well students have acquired the knowledge
and skills outlined by the state curriculum for their grade level. A new
statewide curriculum, known as the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS),
sets academic standards and expectations for all students in Georgia’s
public schools. The CRCT corresponds to the new standards.

The tests accomplish the following:

– Ensure that students are learning

– Provide data to teachers, schools, and school
districts so they can make better instructional decisions
– Measure accountability, including Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP) as measured by the federal No Child Left Behind Act

CRCT results measure the academic achievement of students, classes,

schools, school systems, and the state. This information can be used to
identify individual student strengths and weaknesses, or, more generally,
to measure the quality of education throughout Georgia.

How are CRCT questions scored?

The CRCT currently uses only selected-response (multiple-choice) questions.
There are four choices for each question, labeled A, B, C, and D.

Students are not compared to each other. Each is measured on his or her
achievement in meeting the standards. Scores are reported according
to three performance levels: Does Not Meet the Standard, Meets the
Standard, and Exceeds the Standard. For more information, go to the website
www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT and click
the link for “2008 CRCT Interpretive Guide.”

Since the spring of 2006, performance on the reading portion of the CRCT
has been linked to the Lexile scale. Visit www.gadoe.org/lexile.aspx for
more information on this national reading measure.

About the CRCT

Preparing for the CRCT

Test-Taking Strategies
Weeks The following are study skills and test-taking tips to share with
Before students:
the Test
Keep on top of material as you learn it in school. Don’t leave
everything until the last minute!

Ask questions in class when you don’t understand something.

Set academic goals for the upcoming weeks and months

(short and long term).

Choose a quiet place to work that is free of distractions.

Find out as much as you can about the test.

Build in time to review what you learned in your last study session.

Divide assignments into smaller pieces. It’s easier to remember

information this way.

Take breaks! Studying for a long time non-stop is not productive.

Consider reviewing materials with others after you’ve studied on

your own. This helps reinforce what you already know and reminds
you of things you’ve forgotten.

Actively take notes while you read. This forces you to think about
what you are reading.

Try sample test questions for practice.

At the end of each study session, evaluate what you

have accomplished.


About the CRCT
Preparing for the CRCT

Day Before Get a good night’s rest.

the Test
If you are feeling nervous, talk to a teacher or parent.

Remember that this test is only one measure of your knowledge.

Eat a good breakfast before the test; it will give you energy
to stay alert.

During Remind students of the following strategies to use during the test:
the Test
Relax by taking slow, deep breaths.

Make sure you understand the directions. If you are not sure, ask
the teacher for clarification.

Read each question carefully.

When you use scratch paper, make sure that you copy the problem
correctly from the test onto your paper.

You can underline and make marks on your test to help you while
you work, but the only answers that will be scored are those in the
correct place on your answer sheet.

Try to come up with your own answer before seeing the choices.
This will help in choosing the best answer choice available.

Eliminate answer choices that you know cannot be right.

Leave a question blank if you are unsure of the answer, then return
to it at the end.

Manage your time. Don’t let the pace of others make you nervous.
However, don’t spend too much time on one question.

Be sure to answer all of the questions.

Review your answers when you have finished the test.

Try to stay calm during the test. Remember, this is a chance for you
to show what you know.


 About the CRCT
Preparing for the CRCT

Related Links
Below are links to important resources that contain information related
to the CRCT.

Georgia Performance Standards:

www.georgiastandards.org/

CRCT Content Descriptions:

www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CITestingCRCTDesc

Lexile Framework for Reading:

www.gadoe.org/lexile.aspx


Best practices in education indicate that
teachers should first model new skills
for students. Next, teachers should provide
opportunities for guided practice. Only then
should teachers expect students to successfully
complete an activity independently.

The activities in this guide are no exception.

They are designed to be used by teachers
and parents to help students with the skills
on the Georgia CRCT.

Since different students have different strengths

and needs, the activities in this study guide
can be scaffolded for students who need more
support, extended to challenge advanced
students, or presented as is (with appropriate
modeling) for grade-level students.
Reading
Chapter 1

Reading

By Grade 8, students have developed the analytical reading skills to read,

understand, and analyze both literary and informational texts. Additionally, these
students successfully read and understand many different types of texts across
subjects. Students should be able to determine what unfamiliar words mean
based on how they are used. Students should also grasp how authors use
language differently depending on their purpose and the literary genre.

The Reading activities focus on some of the concepts that are assessed on
the Grade 8 CRCT Reading domain. These domains are as follows:

1˜Reading Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition

2˜Literary Comprehension
3˜Information and Media Literacy


 Chapter One
Reading

Activities 1  Reading Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition

Georgia Performance Standards ELA8R2, ELA8RC3 and ELA8RC4

By Grade 8, students have developed sophisticated vocabularies as well as the

skills to figure out word meanings in context. Students should be able to determine
meanings, use alternate word choices, and recognize etymologies of words.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students develop vocabulary skills, students should play the Synonym
and Word-Part Match game. For this activity, create pairs of synonyms and a
list of word-parts with matching definitions. (Synonyms, word-parts, and
word-part definitions are available online and in many grammar books.) Then,
write each synonym or definition on a card, and give each student one card.
At the beginning of the game, tell students to find their matching cards. For
some groups, students should take turns reading their cards aloud. For other
groups (or as a variation on the original game), students should find their
matches without speaking. Sample word pairs include the following: hesitant
and indecisive; ponder and contemplate; courageous and valiant; auto- and
self; re- and again; intra- and within; noun and person, place, thing, or idea.

– To develop vocabulary skills, students should have Literary Word Banks.

In these “banks,” students “deposit” unfamiliar words as they are reading, in
the first of three columns. In the second column, each student guesses what
the word means based on its context. In the third column, the student writes down
the dictionary definition he or she has looked up. On another page of the “bank,”
students write down sentences using their new words. Students could also draw
illustrations of these new vocabulary words and display them for others.

– To promote students’ engagement with new vocabulary words, students

should do personalized vocabulary assignments with these words. Students
may use their friends’ names as part of the exercises. Demonstrating that they
understand the meanings of the vocabulary words, students must respond to
personalized questions or statements such as, Issue a decree to Sasha or
Describe Chris being churlish to Elizabeth or Describe a time you were
scapegoated by your brother.

Further support can be found in the GPS Reading Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/elaframework.aspx

10
 Chapter One
Reading

Activities 2  Literary Comprehension

Georgia Performance Standard ELA8R1

Grade 8 students read and understand many different types of literary and
informational texts. They need to be familiar with the features of different genres.
They must also be able to identify themes in literary works. Therefore, they must
understand the difference between topics and themes. Students must also be
able to evaluate and draw conclusions about plots, conflicts, and resolutions.
Similarly, they should be able to analyze and evaluate literary devices, including
figurative language, imagery, and sound devices (e.g., alliteration, onomatopoeia,
rhyme, and meter). Finally, students should be able to detect how an author’s
language usage creates tone and mood.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students understand the concept of climax in a narrative and make

inferences or draw conclusions about characters, students should examine
characters’ reactions after the climax in a story has occurred. Students should
imagine they are newspaper reporters assigned to interview the participating
characters and script several interviews with the characters. The interviewer
should elicit responses from the characters that reveal both a deep
understanding of the characters’ traits and motivations and also an awareness
of the plot events that have occurred. The interviewer’s questions should
reveal certain conclusions he or she has made about the characters being
interviewed. Students should write their mock interviews in the style of a play.

– To supplement students’ reading of poetry and to help them understand

metaphor as a literary device, students should examine several metaphors
such as my love is a rose and her hair is golden silk. Students should explain
why the speaker would call his love a flower and describe hair as golden silk.
Students should discuss what qualities the speaker’s love has that would
warrant these comparisons. Students should practice writing with their own
metaphors. After reading a poem, such as Langston Hughes’s “Mother to Son,”
in which the speaker compares his life to a staircase, students should choose
something to which they can compare their lives. They then should make lists
of the shared aspects of both. For example, for the statement my life is a
rollercoaster students could write the following: both have ups and downs,
both can be scary, both have slow times and fast times. Students should take
these statements and create short poems. To enhance students’ appreciation
of the visual power of metaphors, students should illustrate their metaphors.

– To help enhance students’ knowledge of sensory details and authors’ abilities

to create tone and mood, students should close their eyes and listen to a
descriptive, sensory-rich excerpt of literature. After the passage has been
read aloud, students should identify the tone of the passage and the
elements that contributed to it. To encourage students to pay attention to
sensory details, students should taste differently flavored hard candies and
describe them together. They should smell a series of spices and describe

11
 Chapter One
Reading

what they are reminded of. Then, they should feel and describe several
objects of varying textures. Next, students should write their own sensory
detailed pieces in which they describe objects using all five senses.

Further support can be found in the GPS Reading Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/elaframework.aspx

12
 Chapter One
Reading

Activities 3  Information and Media Literacy

Georgia Performance Standards ELA8R1, ELA8RC2 and ELA8LSV2

As students encounter various types of media as well as workplace and consumer

materials, they need strong skills to identify common text features (e.g.,
paragraphs, topic sentences, concluding sentences, footnotes), organizational
patterns (e.g., cause and effect, comparison and contrast), main ideas, and
evidence to support them. Students also need to be able to recognize the
author’s purpose and understand the ways authors develop their arguments.
Additionally, students need to apply what they read as they follow directions for
computers and other devices. Since many of these texts contain diagrams and
images, students must also have the skills to analyze common graphic features
and understand their relationships with the texts.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students develop the skills necessary to understand and use manuals
and brochures, students should analyze a manual for a product they use. First,
students should choose a technological product they use such as an MP3
player, telephone, digital alarm clock, personal computer, or bread machine.
Next, students should identify the process that is to be programmed and use
the manual to follow the directions to complete the process. After they have
completed this activity, they should reflect on the areas of instruction that
were the most unclear and describe how they would recommend revising
them. Finally, students should select one unclear part and revise it. For
example, if a diagram is inadequate, they could draw a new diagram. If a chart
is unclear, students should redesign it. If a paragraph is confusing, they
should rewrite it.

– To help students examine a piece of text that has a strong point of view and
understand how the author structures his or her argument, students should
analyze and organize sentences in a persuasive paragraph. Magazine articles
can be effective and readily available sources for such paragraphs. For this
activity, a persuasive paragraph is divided into sentences, each written on a
blank index card. Several sentences that are not relevant and do not support
the thesis of the paragraph should be included as distracters. Students should
arrange the index cards to create a cogent and logical argument. First, students
must determine the author’s position. Next, they should choose the sentences
that support the author’s argument and put them in an effective sequence.
Students must also recognize and remove the distracter sentences, making
sure they can explain why the sentences do not belong. Finally, students
should present their paragraph arrangements and describe the development
of the author’s perspective and argument.

– To enhance students’ inferential skills and to relate prior knowledge from one
subject area or text to another subject area or text, students should compare
and contrast themes from several sources. Students should examine two
different sources and analyze the ways in which these sources address the
same theme(s). For example, students could compare and contrast the

13
 Chapter One
Reading

themes of prejudice and discrimination as they arise in texts such as Dr.

Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, Elizabeth George Speare’s novel,
The Witch of Blackbird Pond, or some poems by Langston Hughes. First,
students should brainstorm a list of the themes or ideas in each of these
pieces. Next, they should examine their lists and see the common thread(s)
among them. Then, students should list the ways in which the theme is
addressed similarly and the ways it is addressed differently in these sources.
Finally, students should write essays comparing and contrasting the themes
in the texts.

Further support can be found in the GPS Reading Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/elaframework.aspx

14
 Chapter One
Reading

Practice Genre: Informational Text

Quiz Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Victory Athletics Warranty

Thank you for purchasing a Victory Athletics product. We make high quality
rowing machines and treadmills. Our machines are built to last! Please read
the terms and conditions of our warranty.

AT PURCHASE
Every piece of equipment comes with a warranty card. Please mail to us the
completed card and a copy of your receipt WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF PURCHASE.
Then, we will issue you a personal customer number.

TERMS
Victory Athletics offers a limited warranty plan covering parts and labor
for five years.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

The fastest way to report a problem is to visit our website (victoryathletics.com).
Then, click “Request for Repair.” Enter your customer number and select an
image that matches your machine. Finally, select the problem’s location and
describe the problem in your own words.

You may also report a problem by calling us at (888) 555-0241. Give your
customer number to the representative and describe the problem. Our office is
open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time.

REPAIRING YOUR EQUIPMENT

For simple problems, Victory Athletics may send you a replacement part. Check
our website or call a service representative for further assistance.

We resolve electrical problems at our authorized repair centers. These centers

are located in many major cities. Our website and service representatives can
help you find a nearby repair center.

Victory Athletics will replace broken items with new or used parts. This process
takes six to eight days. If necessary, we may replace an entire machine.

EXCLUSIONS
The limited warranty does not cover machines damaged by:
– incorrect setup or installation
– poor maintenance
– incorrect use (or abuse), including being hit, kicked, or dropped
– acts of nature, such as fire, flooding, earthquakes, etc.

15
 Chapter One
Reading

1 What is the quickest way to report a problem with a Victory Athletics

product?
A visit the website
B return the part by mail
C fax the customer care office
D visit the nearest repair center

2 Under which heading would a user look to determine if a repair is

covered under the warranty?
A AT PURCHASE
B Exclusions
C If You Have a Problem
D Repairing Your Equipment

3 Which of these BEST describes the purpose of the bold headings

in the passage?
A to organize information into sections
B to inform buyers about new products
C to help store owners make needed repairs
D to highlight the key words in the warranty

4 Which group of people would MOST LIKELY have a difficult time taking
advantage of the warranty?
A people who access the Internet
B people who live far from a city
C people who want used parts
D people who need a mechanical problem solved

5  ith which of these would the author of the passage MOST

W
LIKELY agree?
A Victory Athletics’ products will not break.
B Victory Athletics’ warranty covers parts and labor.
C Victory Athletics treats their employees well.
D Victory Athletics will not fix problems quickly.

6 What is the MOST LIKELY reason that the words WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS
OF PURCHASE are printed in capital letters?
A to impress customers
B to emphasize the statement
C to space the letters correctly on the page
D to provide general warranty information

16
 Chapter One
Reading

7 How does a customer get a customer number?

A shop at an affiliated store
B go to an authorized repair shop
C talk to a service representative
D mail in a store receipt and warranty card

8 What will customers see on the company’s website AFTER they enter
their customer numbers?
A a copy of their warranty card
B number to call for electrical repairs
C link to a service representative
D an image of the equipment they purchased

9 What is the meaning of the word exclusions based on the information

below?

EXCLUSIONS
This warranty does not cover machines damaged by:
– incorrect setup or installation
– poor maintenance
– incorrect use (or abuse), including being hit, kicked, or dropped
– acts of nature, such as fire, flooding, earthquakes, etc.

A exceptions
B corrections
C inspections
D substitutions

10 Which word BEST replaces the word authorized as it is used in

the sentence?

Mechanical and electrical troubles are resolved at authorized repair shops.

A nearby
B capable
C official
D following

17
 Chapter One
Reading

Solutions Correct
Number Answer Explanation
1 A Uses information from a variety of consumer, workplace,
and public documents (e.g., job applications) to explain
a situation or decision and solve a problem. (ELA8R1e)
The correct answer is Choice (A) visit the website.
The first line of the warranty states, “The fastest way
to report a problem is to visit our website.” Choices (B)
and (C) are not listed as possible options. Choice (D) is
incorrect because a visit to a repair center is stated as
a place where Victory Athletics will “resolve electrical
problems” rather than as a fast way to report a problem.

2 B Analyzes and evaluates common textual features

(e.g., paragraphs, topic sentences, concluding sentences,
introduction, conclusion, footnotes, index, bibliography).
(ELA8R1a)
The correct answer is Choice (B) Exclusions.
The Exclusions section states what the warranty
does not cover. The customer can then deduce what
is covered. Choices (A), (C), and (D) do not explain
whether a repair is covered under the warranty

3 A Applies, analyzes, and evaluates common organizational

structures (e.g., graphic organizers, logical order, cause
and effect relationships, comparison and contrast).
(ELA8R1b)
The correct answer is Choice (A) to organize
information into sections. The bold headings help
consumers quickly find information they need within specific
sections of the text. Choices (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect as
they are not accurate in this passage.

4 B Uses information from a variety of consumer, workplace,

and public documents (e.g., job applications) to explain
a situation or decision and solve a problem. (ELA8R1e)
The correct answer is Choice (B) people who live far
from a city. Since the repair centers are located in
“many major cities,” people who live far from a city
would have difficulty accessing a center. Choices (A), (C),
and (D) are incorrect as none of these actions would
interfere with taking advantage of the warranty.

18
 Chapter One
Reading

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
5 B Recognizes and traces the development of an author’s
argument, point of view, or perspective in text. (ELA8R1c)
The correct answer is Choice (B) Victory Athletics’
warranty covers parts and labor. This seems to be the
guarantee to the customer. Choices (A), (C), and (D) are
incorrect as they are not mentioned in the warranty.

6 B Recognizes and uses the features of disciplinary texts

(e.g., charts, graphs, photos, maps, highlighted vocabulary.
(ELA8RC2f)
The correct answer is Choice (B) to emphasize the
statement. When authors want to emphasize something,
they often use visual cues to do so. In this instance, the
use of all capital letters emphasizes the importance of
completing certain tasks within the specified period of
time. Choice (A) is incorrect because Victory Athletics
would not try to impress customers with a fifteen-day
limitation on completing and mailing in warranty cards
and copies of receipts. Choice (C) is incorrect because
capitalization does not space letters correctly on the
page. Choice (D) is incorrect because the capitalized text
does not provide general warranty information; it merely
calls readers’ attention to the words.

7 D Uses information from a variety of consumer, workplace,

and public documents (e.g., job applications) to explain
a situation or decision and solve a problem. (ELA8R1e)
The correct answer is Choice (D) mail in a store receipt
and warranty card. The first section of the warranty
states that customers should fill in the warranty card and
send it in with a copy of the purchase receipt within 15
days of purchase. Choices (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect as
they are not stated as ways to obtain a customer number.

19
 Chapter One
Reading

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
8 D Applies, analyzes, and evaluates common organizational
structures (e.g., graphic organizers, logical order, cause
and effect relationships, comparison and contrast).
(ELA8R1b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) An image of the
equipment they purchased. The first paragraph in
the section If You Have a Problem states that after
entering a customer number, a purchaser should “select
an image that matches your machine.” Choices (A), (B),
and (C) are incorrect because they contradict the text of
the warranty.

9 A Determines the meaning of unfamiliar words in

content and context specific to reading and writing.
(ELA8R2b)
The correct answer is Choice (A) exceptions. The
warranty states there are exclusions, or exceptions,
to what it will cover, such as damages caused by
“incorrect setup or installation.” Choices (B), (C),
and (D) are incorrect because their meanings are
illogical in this context.

10 C Determines pronunciations, meanings, alternate word

choices, parts of speech, or etymologies of words.
(ELA8R2a)
The correct answer is Choice (C) official. By including
the phrase authorized repair shops, Victory Athletics is
requiring repair shops to have official approval in order to
make repairs covered by the warranty. Choices (A) nearby,
(B) capable, and (D) following are incorrect because their
meanings are neither synonymous with, nor related to,
the word authorized.

20
English/Language Arts
Chapter 2

English/Language Arts

By the end of Grade 8, students have a strong understanding of the standard

rules of capitalization, punctuation, pronoun use, and correct spelling.
Additionally, students know the basic parts of sentences and can use
this information to identify and use different types of sentences. Students should
correct problematic sentences, including those that are run-ons or fragments
and those with usage errors, such as incorrect pronoun forms. When researching,
Grade 8 students use primary and secondary sources appropriately. Grade 8
students should be able to select effective organizational structures for their
writing and ensure coherence by using transitional words and phrases.
They should bring closure to their compositions with strong conclusions.

The English/Language Arts activities focus on some of the concepts that are
assessed on the Grade 8 CRCT English/Language Arts domains. These domains
are as follows:

1˜Grammar/Sentence Construction
2˜Research/Writing Process

23
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Activities 1  Grammar/Sentence Construction

Georgia Performance Standard ELA8C1

Within the Grammar/Sentence Construction domain, students should be able

to determine correct pronoun usage (specifically by gender and case) and parts
of speech. They should also be able to analyze various sentence types (simple,
compound, complex, and compound-complex). Students should evaluate
sentences for agreement between subjects and verbs as well as between
pronouns and their antecedents. In addition, they should produce final drafts
that demonstrate competence in punctuating a variety of sentence types,
applying rules of capitalization, eliminating fragments and run-ons, and applying
correct use of commas and semicolons in all types of sentences (compound,
complex, and compound-complex). For clarity, students should avoid misplaced
modifiers, and correct other writing issues, such as nonstandard English and
double negatives.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– For practice using correct pronoun forms, students will work individually
or in small groups to evaluate pronoun use in the sentences below. Students
need to find the five sentences that have pronoun errors. Beneath each
sentence with an error, students should write the corrected version.

– Our class took a bus trip to the Etowah Mounds historic site, which is
located northwest of Atlanta, Georgia.
– The bus driver assigned the first seat to my friend and I.
– We learned that Etowah was the home of Mississippian Indians over
500 years ago.
– When we arrived, we saw six large mounds of earth and a museum
building.
– “Who’s ready to explore?” asked the teacher, and everyone raised
their hand.
– In the museum, we saw objects that had been excavated from the mounds.
– The people decorated theirselves with copper ornaments, shells, feathers,
and tattoos.
– When we went outside, we visited a very large mound, what was once the
platform for a chief’s home.
– We learned that some of the ancients there were buried with tools that
they believed would be useful in the afterlife.
– Whomever would have guessed that six mounds of earth could be so
very interesting?

For further practice, students can create sentences that have pronoun errors
and challenge others around them to find the error. If the person answering
does not give the correct answer, the challenger needs to supply that answer
and explain why it is correct.

24
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

– To gain competence and confidence using different sentence patterns and

appropriate punctuation, students should practice combining sentences. The
challenge is to combine the following twelve simple sentences into just five
compound or compound-complex sentences. At least one of the combined
sentences should demonstrate the correct use of the semicolon. The others
should demonstrate the correct use of commas and conjunctions.

– Ben’s mom had to work late.

– She asked him to get supper ready.
– He found a package of cornbread mix in the cupboard.
– In the cupboard, he found fresh hotdog buns.
– In the refrigerator, he found some hotdogs.
– In the refrigerator, he found fresh vegetables.
– He cooked the hotdogs in the oven.
– He followed the package directions to make cornbread.
– He washed the vegetables.
– He cut up the vegetables.
– He cooked the vegetables in a pan.
– Mom came home to a delicious supper.

– To gain an understanding of how dangling modifiers or misplaced modifiers

can interfere with communication, students should analyze the sentences
below. In pairs, the students should read the sentences to each other and
imagine the weird situations that result from the errors. After students have
read all six sentences, they should briefly review the concept that a modifier
must be placed carefully so that it clearly applies to the word or phrase that
it modifies. In most cases, a modifier should be placed next to whatever it
modifies. Finally, partners should work together to rewrite the sentences,
rewording them to correct any dangling or misplaced modifiers.

– Running through the woods, a slippery stone tripped me

– Old and dilapidated, the baby was sleeping in a playpen.
– The robbery victim was found tied to a chair by police.
– While watching the parade, a large helium balloon hit a lamppost.
– Famous for potholes and broken pavement, I ride my bike down the alley.
– Fierce, beautiful, and wild, Mr. Johnson took many photos of the lions.

Further support can be found in the GPS English/Language Arts Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/elaframework.aspx

25
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Activities 2  Research/Writing Process

Georgia Performance Standards ELA8W1, ELA8W2 and ELA8W4

For the writing process, students should apply appropriate organizational

structure as they write paragraphs or longer compositions. They will use
appropriate transitions between paragraphs, passages, and ideas, and they
will develop appropriate closing sentences to give their compositions closure.
They will develop their compositions with supporting evidence and details. They
will be able to eliminate extraneous information from their writing, to reorganize
sentences to improve clarity, to maintain a consistent point of view, and to
identify and revise errors. Finally, students should be able to locate and evaluate
a variety of primary and secondary sources to use in their research.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To gain a clear understanding of what is meant by the term primary source,

students should become familiar with the website for the U.S. National
Archives: www.archives.gov/about. They can begin their search by following
the Home Page prompts to the pages on the site that allow them to download
the United States Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence, The
Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. After examining these documents, which are
examples of primary sources, students should write a definition of the term
primary source. They should move to the page of FAQs (Frequently Asked
Questions), which presents questions that other researchers have asked.
Students should list some examples of other primary sources they have found,
either on the Internet or in the community. They should also explain why they
consider each to be a primary, rather than a secondary, source. Finally, students
should create some sample research questions to be investigated with primary
sources. They should list one question from history, one from science, and one
from current events.

– For practice evaluating secondary sources, students should select a research

topic with which they are already familiar. For instance, a student who likes
stargazing might investigate different types of telescopes. Taking the role of
researcher, students should search for articles online using any search engine
and print out the list of web articles available. Students need to skim as many
of those articles as time allows, checking to see which ones are primary
sources. From the articles that are secondary sources, students should select
three that seem to provide useful information on the chosen topic. Students
should examine those articles carefully to answer the following questions:

– Did an authority (expert in the field) write the article?

– Is the article intended to give information or is it meant to sell something?
– Does the article give evidence to support the claims that it makes?
– For what audience is the article intended?
– Does the author give documentation to show where the information
came from?

26
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

– For help in writing effective closing statements, students should consider

the possible strategies listed below. They should examine textbooks,
newspapers, and leisure reading to find an example of each of the strategies
in use. Then, each student should write the beginning and middle of a
paragraph, leaving a blank space for the conclusion. Finally, the students
should exchange papers and use one of the following ideas to add a strong
conclusion to the incomplete paragraph.

– A restatement of the main idea

– A quotation from an authority
– A question that leads readers to think further about the main point
– A prediction based on the main idea
– A brief story that illustrates the main idea
– A warning based on the main idea

– To see how an inconsistency in the writer’s point of view can interfere

with communication, students should read aloud the sentences below.
Then they should rewrite each sentence to make the point of view consistent.

– No matter how hard I try, you can never please everybody.
– In my science class, we learned how to calculate your body mass index.
– In summer, he likes swimming, but they can’t swim here all winter.
– Many people believe this place is haunted, but you can’t believe
everything.

Teachers can also provide paragraphs and other longer texts for students
to evaluate and revise.

Further support can be found in the GPS English/Language Arts Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/elaframework.aspx

27
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Practice 1 Which change should be made in the sentence?

Quiz Lakisha gave their speech before it was due.

A change gave to give

B change their to her
C change speech to speeches
D change due to do

2 What kind of sentence is this?

If you are coming to the party, please bring a healthy snack.

A compound-complex
B compound
C complex
D simple

3 Which sentence is written correctly?

A Hosea told me the score of the game.
B Hosea he told me the score of the game.
C Hosea hisself told me the score of the game.
D Hosea he himself told me the score of the game.

4 Where does the semicolon belong in the sentence?

The marching band will perform at Friday’s game however, they have
not practiced at all this week.

A after band
B after perform
C after game
D after practiced

5 Which sentence uses the underlined word correctly?

A The dog happily wagged its tail as the girl approached.
B Its never too late to share your ideas with the committee.
C Its likely to rain today, so you better take your umbrella.
D I am struggling with this math problem because its very difficult.

28
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

6 Which word in the sentence should be capitalized?

I memorized “The Road not Taken,” a poem by Robert Frost,

for my literature class.

A not
B poem
C literature
D class

7 Which organizational method is used in the paragraph?

In early colonial days, women made quilts to keep their families

warm. These quilts were hand-sewn and usually made from scraps
of old clothing or bedding. Though some quilts today are made by hand,
most are mass-produced and are sewn with machines. Homemade
quilts may contain old pieces of fabric, but most modern quilts are
made from new fabric.

A cause and effect

B chronological order
C question and answer
D compare and contrast

8 Which is the BEST supporting detail for the topic sentence?

Good, well-prepared soil is one of the most important ingredients for

a healthy garden.

A Before planting any seeds, the soil needs to be warm and all rocks need
to be removed.
B If your clothes get dirty while working in the soil, be sure to wash them
right away.
C Some plants are more popular in southern regions than in northern
regions.
D Planting a garden can be a fun way for families to spend time together.

9 Which topic would be the MOST appropriate for a short report?

A The History of the Olympics
B Judging the Olympic Sports
C My Favorite Olympic Athlete
D Olympic Athletes Through the Ages

29
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

10 Which idea is repeated in the paragraph?

For many years, Switzerland has been known all over the world for
its cuckoo clocks, which are made out of wood. These timepieces are
hand-carved from aged linden wood. Today these Swiss clocks come
in all shapes and sizes.

A The Swiss people make clocks out of wood.

B The Swiss people carve their clocks by hand.
C The Swiss people are famous for their clocks.
D The Swiss people produce a variety of clocks.

30
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Solutions Correct
Number Answer Explanation
1 B Declines pronouns by gender and case, and demonstrates
correct usage in sentences. (ELA8C1a)
The correct answer is Choice (B) change their to her.
The error here is one of pronoun case. Lakisha is the
subject, and she is giving the speech; therefore, their
should be her (to agree with Lakisha). Choice (A) is
incorrect because it introduces both tense-agreement
and subject-verb agreement errors. Choice (C) is
incorrect because it introduces a number-agreement
error. The word it refers to the singular noun speech;
it cannot refer to the plural noun speeches. Choice (D)
is incorrect because the word do is the wrong part
of speech.

2 C Analyzes and uses simple, compound, complex, and

compound-complex sentences correctly, punctuates
properly, and avoids fragments and run-ons. (ELA8C1b)
The correct answer is Choice (C) complex. The first part
of the sentence (If you are coming to the party)
is a dependent clause; it begins with a subordinating
conjunction and cannot stand alone. The second part of
the sentence (please bring a healthy snack) is an
independent clause; it does form a complete thought.
Together, these two clauses create a complex sentence.
Choice (A) is incorrect because the sentence does not
have two independent clauses plus a dependent clause.
Choice (B) is incorrect because the sentence does not
have two independent clauses. Choice (D) is incorrect
because the sentence does not have just a single
independent clause.

3 A Revises sentences by correcting errors in usage.

(ELA8C1d)
The correct answer is Choice (A) Hosea told me the
score of the game. This sentence has no errors.
Choice (B) is incorrect because it includes the
unnecessary pronoun he. Choice (C) is incorrect because
it uses the nonstandard pronoun form hisself. Choice (D)
is incorrect because in addition to the unnecessary
pronoun in Choice (B), this answer includes the extra
reflexive pronoun himself.

31
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
4 C Demonstrates appropriate comma and semicolon usage
(compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences,
split dialogue, and for clarity). (ELA8C1e)
The correct answer is Choice (C) after game.
One way to combine two independent clauses is to
use a semicolon and a transitional adverb. “However”
is the transitional adverb; therefore, the semicolon
should come after “game” and before “however”.
Choice (A) is incorrect because The marching band is
not an independent clause. Choice (B) is incorrect
because the words “at Friday’s game” belong to the first
independent clause. Choice (D) is incorrect because the
words that follow practiced do not constitute an
independent clause.

5 A Revises sentences by correcting errors in usage.

(ELA8C1d)
The correct answer is Choice (A) The dog happily
wagged its tail as the girl approached. Here, the word
its is a possessive pronoun referring to the word dog.
Choices (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect because they
include the word its but need the contraction it’s
(meaning it is).

6 A Produces final drafts/presentations that demonstrate

accurate spelling and the correct use of punctuation
and capitalization. (ELA8C1g)
The correct answer is Choice (A) not. All words in a title
(with the exception of small articles, prepositions, and
conjunctions) are capitalized. In this context, Choices (B),
(C), and (D) are not proper nouns, and there are no other
reasons to capitalize them.

32
 Chapter Two
English/Language Arts

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
7 D Uses traditional structures for conveying information
(e.g., chronological order, cause and effect, similarity
and difference, and posing and answering a question).
(ELA8W1c)
The correct answer is Choice (D) compare and
contrast. Throughout the paragraph, the author
makes comparisons and contrasts between quilts
from colonial days and those made today. Choice (A)
is incorrect because no causal relationship is given.
Choice (B) is incorrect because the details do not
progress in chronological order (sequentially, from the
past to the present). Choice (C) is incorrect because no
question is posed.

8 A Develops the topic with supporting details. (ELA8W2d)

The correct answer is Choice (A) Before planting any
seeds, the soil needs to be warm and all rocks need
to be removed. The topic sentence focuses on the
importance of soil for a garden. Choice (A) is the only answer
that supports the topic sentence. It provides information
about preparing the soil. Choice (B) is incorrect; while it
mentions soil, the sentence focuses on clothing and does
not relate to preparing soil for planting. Choice (C) is also
incorrect; it focuses on the differences in popularity between
plants in the southern and northern regions. Finally, Choice
(D) is incorrect because it focuses on how families may enjoy
spending time together while gardening.

9 C Uses a variety of primary and secondary sources and

distinguishes the nature and value of each. (ELA8W2f)
The correct answer is Choice (C) My Favorite Olympic
Athlete. Here students must judge different topics and
select one that would be manageable in a “short report.”
Choices (A), (B), and (D) are all large topics, which would
be impossible to cover thoroughly in a “short report.”

10 A Excludes extraneous and inappropriate information.

(ELA8W2g)
The correct answer is Choice (A) The Swiss people
made clocks out of wood. In order to make writing
precise and concise, students must avoid unnecessary
repetition. The passage mentions twice that Swiss cuckoo
clocks are made of wood. Choices (B), (C), and (D) are
incorrect choices because they do not repeat ideas
already mentioned in the passage.

33
Mathematics
Chapter 3

Mathematics

By the end of Grade 8, students will understand various numerical

representations, including square roots, exponents, and scientific notation.
Students will use and apply geometric properties of plane figures, including
congruence and the Pythagorean Theorem. Symbolic algebra will be used
to represent situations and solve problems that involve linear relationships,
linear equations, and systems of linear equations or inequalities. Students will be
able to use equations, tables, and graphs to analyze and interpret linear
functions. Students will work with and understand set theory and simple
counting techniques, and use those to determine the theoretical probability of
simple events. Students will begin to make inferences from statistical data,
particularly data that can be modeled by linear functions.

The Mathematics activities are focused on some of the concepts that

are assessed on the Grade 8 CRCT Mathematics domains. These domains
are as follows:

1˜Number and Operations

2˜Geometry
3˜Algebra
4˜Data Analysis and Probability
The Mathematical Process Skills are integrated throughout the domains.
These are skills used to acquire and apply content knowledge.

Mathematical Process Skills refer to students’ dexterity in applying concepts and

skills in the context of authentic problems, and in understanding concepts rather
than merely following a sequence of procedures. Process skills are used to
acquire and apply content knowledge. Process skills include solving problems
that arise in mathematics and other contexts; reasoning and evaluating
mathematical arguments; communicating mathematically; making connections
among mathematical ideas and to other content areas; and representing
mathematical ideas in multiple ways.

37
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Activities 1  Number and Operations

Georgia Performance Standard M8N1

Within the Number and Operations domain, students learn the different
representations of numbers including square roots, exponents, and scientific
notation. Students learn the square roots of perfect squares and use the perfect
squares to estimate the square roots of other numbers. Students will see square
roots in different ways, including as the length of a side of a square with a given
area, and as points and lengths on a number line. They will learn that the square
root of 0 is 0 and that every positive number has two square roots that are
opposite in sign. Students will recognize and use the radical symbol to denote
the positive square root of a positive number, as well as simplify, add, subtract,
multiply, and divide expressions containing square roots. Students will distinguish
between rational and irrational numbers. Students will use the laws of exponents
to simplify expressions containing integer exponents. They will express numbers
in scientific notation and use them in problem situations. Lastly, students will use
appropriate technologies to solve problems involving square roots, exponents,
and scientific notation.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To practice finding square roots and using radicals, students will set up and
solve simple radical equations involving the side lengths of squares in this
problem:

In The Perfect Square Gardens, there are currently four gardens that are
perfectly square. Garden A has an area of 81 square yards; Garden B has an
area of 121 square yards; Garden C has an area of 225 square yards; and
Garden D has an area of 324 square yards. The head gardener is going to
make four new square gardens and he wants:
– The side length of Garden E to be twice the side length of Garden C
– The side length of Garden F to be the sum of the side lengths of Gardens
A and B
– The side length of Garden G to be the difference of the side lengths of
Gardens A and D
– The ratio of the side lengths of Garden H to Garden B to have the same
ratio as the side lengths of Garden D to Garden A

Use 81, 121, 225, and 324 to set up and solve equations and
proportions to find the side lengths of the four new perfectly square gardens.

After finishing the problem, students should describe in their own words the
relationship between the radical sign, the square root of a number, and the
side length of a square with a given area.

– To develop fluency with the laws of exponents, students will build exponential
expressions that are equivalent to a given exponential expression. Each
student will write a different simple exponential expression, such as a6, on
three index cards. For their unique expression, the students should make five
additional index cards according to these rules:
38
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

– The first index card should have an expression that reduces to the original
exponential expression using the addition law of exponents. For example,
for a6 students might write a2×a4, a3×a3, or a5×a.
– The second index card should have an expression that reduces to the
original exponential expression using the multiplicative law of exponents.
For example, for a6 students might write (a3)2 or (a2)3.
– The third index card will have an expression that reduces to the original
exponential expression using the division law of exponents. For example,
a12 a10
for a6 students might write ​ ___ ​or ​ ___
6   ​.
4  
a a
– The fourth index card will have an expression that reduces to the original
exponential expression using the addition and division law of exponents.
​ a a3    a2a6
4 5
For a6 students might write ____ ​or ​ ____
  ​.
2    
a a
– The fifth index card will have an expression that reduces to the original
exponential expression using the multiplication and division law of
(a3)3
exponents. For example, ____
​  3   
​.
 
a
Students then shuffle the cards, exchange them, find and match all the
equivalent expressions, and label the index card with the law or laws that
were used to reduce the expression on it.

– To apply converting to, and using numbers in, scientific notation, students will
make a model of the universe and calculate the time it would take to travel
to the different locations at the speed of light. On a large sheet of paper
or poster board students should draw the sun, the eight planets, Alpha
Centauri, Sirius, Deneb, and the Galactic Center. Students should label their
distances from Earth in scientific notation, and should not be concerned with
making the drawing to scale.

Distance Column Column
from earth 3/speed of 4/seconds per
Distance from earth in scientific light = number year = years to
Location in standard form (km) notation (km) of seconds reach location

Sun 149,570,000
Mercury 91,620,000
Venus 41,460,000
Mars 78,270,000
Jupiter 628,570,000
Saturn 1,277,430,000
Uranus 2,720,730,000
Neptune 4,350,330,000
Alpha 40,396,400,000,000
Centauri
Sirius 81,738,800,000,000
Deneb 13,263,600,000,000,000
Galactic 262,151,000,000,000,000
Center

39
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Students will then:

1  Divide the distances by the speed of light (3.0 x 106 km/s).

2 Divide the quotient from (1) by the number of seconds in a year
(3.1556926 x 107 s) to determine the time it would take in years to reach
Earth by traveling at the speed of light. This information should also be
included on their drawings.

Further support can be found in the GPS Mathematics Framework:

Unit 2: Exponents.

The Mathematics Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/mathframework.aspx

40
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Activities 2  Geometry
Georgia Performance Standards M8G1 and M8G2

The Geometry domain addresses students’ understanding of and ability to apply

the properties of parallel and perpendicular lines as well as the meaning of
congruence. Students will investigate characteristics of parallel and
perpendicular lines both algebraically and geometrically, and apply properties of
angle pairs formed by parallel lines cut by a transversal. Students will understand
the properties of the ratio of segments of parallel lines cut by one or more
transversals. Students will know the meaning of congruence, and understand that
all corresponding angles are congruent and all corresponding sides are
congruent. Students will understand and use the Pythagorean Theorem and other
properties of right triangles. They will recognize and interpret the Pythagorean
Theorem as a statement about areas of squares or sides of a right triangle.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To experience the outcome when parallel lines are cut by a transversal,

students will make and put together puzzles formed by parallel lines and
transversals. Students place masking tape on paper to make two parallel
lines, one transversal, and a second set of parallel lines that cross the first
set. Students then separate the angles by cutting the piece of paper along
the masking tape edge. Students will measure and label one angle formed by
the single transversal and one angle formed by the parallel line crossings.
They then switch pieces, put the puzzle back together, and label all the
angles. After they finish, students should be able to explain the following:

– Why they needed only one angle measurement from each set of line
crossings
– Why they couldn’t have found the measures of all the angles if they had
been given only one angle from a single transversal intersection
– The rules they used to find the missing angle measures

– Students will strengthen their ability to use congruence by labeling

corresponding angles and sides of congruent figures in different positions.
First, students should cut out different triangles, quadrilaterals, and
polygons from a piece of paper. On separate pieces of paper for each shape,
students should choose a position for tracing the figure. Then, based on that
position, students should do the following:
–  Trace the figure translated right two inches.
–  Trace the figure reflected horizontally and vertically.
–  Trace the figure rotated 90° and 270°.
– Measure and label the angles and side lengths of the original figure.

Students then exchange tracings and use different colored markers to show
congruent sides and angles. They will label the angle measures and side
lengths, and briefly describe how they used the properties of congruence
to find the measurements.

41
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

– Students will apply the Pythagorean Theorem to construct lines with lengths
that are irrational numbers. The square root of any positive integer that is not
a perfect square is an irrational number. Students should first draw four right
triangles with the following leg lengths:

– 1 inch and 1 inch

– 1 inch and 2 inches
– 2 inches and 3 inches
– 4 inches and 4 inches

Students will then find the lengths of the hypotenuses, leaving them in
radical form. Students should then answer the following questions:

1 Which lines have lengths that are irrational?

2 How did you find the lengths?
3 Could you have measured these lengths accurately using
a standard ruler?
4 How were you able to use the Pythagorean Theorem to create
and measure the lengths accurately?

– To make a connection between the algebraic equation and geometric

meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem, students will find the square of the
hypotenuse of a right triangle using the squares of its legs. Students will
cut out one-inch squares from two 8.5 x 11 pieces of paper.

1 First, students should draw a right triangle with leg lengths 3 inches and 4
inches. They will then use the one-inch square papers to build
a 3 x 3 square and a 4 x 4 square along the respective legs. They then will
use those one-inch square papers to build a square along the hypotenuse
and write what happened in their own words.
2 Second, students should draw an acute triangle that has side lengths
3 inches and 4 inches. Students should predict and verify whether the
third side length will be less than or greater than 5 inches. They then will
build 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 squares along the 3- and 4-inch sides using inch
squares. Students will then try to build a square along the third side and
write what happens.
3 Finally, students should draw an obtuse triangle with side lengths
3 inches and 4 inches. They should predict and verify whether the third
side length will be less than or greater than 10 inches. They then build the
3 x 3 and 4 x 4 squares on the 3 and 4 inch sides with the 1-inch paper
squares. Students will then try to build a square of 1-inch paper squares
along the third side and write what happens.
4 Students then repeat steps 1–3 using leg lengths and side lengths
of 6 inches and 8 inches, and 5 inches and 12 inches.

42
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

After finishing the activity, students will answer these questions:

1 What does the Pythagorean Theorem say about the areas of the squares
formed on the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle?
2 Was the third side of the acute triangle shorter or longer than the
hypotenuse of the right triangle? How did this affect the relationship
between the area of the squares formed on the 3- and 4-inch sides and
the area of the square formed on the third side?
3 Was the third side of the obtuse triangle shorter or longer than the
hypotenuse of the right triangle? How did this affect the relationship
between the area of the squares formed on the 3- and 4-inch sides and
the area of the square formed on the third side?
4 Why didn’t the Pythagorean Theorem work for the acute and obtuse
triangles?

Further support can also be found in the GPS Math Framework: Unit 6: Parallel
Lines & Congruence.

The Mathematics Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/mathframework.aspx

43
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Activities 3  Algebra
Georgia Performance Standards M8A1, M8A2, M8A3, M8A4 and M8A5

The Algebra domain addresses students’ ability to use algebra to represent,

analyze, and solve problems. Students will learn to represent a given situation
using algebraic expressions or equations in one variable as well as how to
simplify and evaluate them. Students will solve different forms of algebraic
equations in one variable, including those with absolute values, and interpret
solutions in context. Students will solve equations involving several variables
for one variable in terms of the others. Students will understand and graph
inequalities in one variable. They will represent a given situation using an
inequality in one variable, use the properties of inequality to solve, graph
solutions on a number line, and interpret solutions in problem contexts.
Students will understand relations and linear functions. They will recognize a
relation as a correspondence between varying quantities, and recognize a
function as a correspondence between inputs and outputs, where the output for
each input must be unique. They will distinguish between relations that are
functions and those that are not, and recognize functions in a variety of
representations and contexts. Students will use tables to describe sequences
recursively and with a formula in closed form. They will understand and recognize
arithmetic sequences as linear functions with whole number input values, and
interpret the constant difference in an arithmetic sequence as the slope of the
associated linear function. Students will identify relations and functions as linear
or nonlinear, and translate among verbal, tabular, graphic, and algebraic
representations of them. Students will graph and analyze graphs of linear
equations and inequalities, including interpreting slope as a rate of change;
determining the meaning of the slope and y-intercept in a given situation;
graphing equations of the form y = mx + b and ax + by = c; graphing the solution
set of a linear inequality; and identifying whether the solution set is an open or
a closed half-plane. Given a graph, students will determine the equation of a line,
numerical information that defines the line, or a context involving a linear
relationship. They will solve problems involving linear relationships, including
systems of linear equations and inequalities. Given a problem in context, students
will be able to write a system of linear equations or inequalities to represent it,
solve these systems graphically or algebraically (using technology as appropriate)
and interpret the solutions in context.

44
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

Most 8th graders are likely to be familiar with percentage discounts given at
department store sales. Students will relate this real-world topic to writing,
evaluating, and solving equations using one variable.

McMurphy’s Third-Annual Sidewalk Sale

Percentage
Item Discount Sale Price Original Price

Sandals 15% $38.25

T-shirts — plain 30%
T-shirts — printed 10%
Year-end Denim 25%
Collenction —5 pairs
of jeans

Using the information in this chart from a store’s sidewalk sale, students will be
able to complete the following questions. Recording their answers in the chart
when applicable will aid them in solving later questions.

1 Using equations with one variable, describe two ways that the sale price
for the sandals can be determined.
2 During the store’s sale, a pair of sandals before taxes cost $38.25. Write an
equation that represents this. Then solve to determine the original price.
3 A person decides to buy a pair of sandals and a Denim Collection. If she
had purchased them before the sale, she would have paid $189.00 before
taxes. Using the answer from question two, write equations that allow you
to solve for the sale price and the original price of the Denim Collection.
Then determine the total price she would have paid for the two items
during the sale.
4 The original price for printed T-shirts is $5.00 more than the original price
for plain T-shirts. A student wants to buy two of each type of T-shirt at the
sale price. Write an equation that represents this using only one variable.
5 During the sale, the final price for the items in question four comes to
approximately $58.00. What are the original prices and sale prices of
each type of T-shirt?

Teachers will provide students with one or both of the following real-world
scaffolding applications as a culmination of the activity:
– Show students quick ways to figure out sale prices in their minds.
For example, at a 25% off sale, divide the original price by 4 to find
out how much you’ll be saving.
– Have students practice figuring out how much to tip at restaurants
using both algebraic equations and mental math (for example, 15%,
18%, and 20% tips).

45
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

– Extending sequences and writing equations to represent them may be used

as students make fictional train schedules for the Atlanta-Athens commuter
rail. Students will make the schedule for the Atlanta-bound trains by
assuming the following information:
1  The first train leaves at 6:30 a.m.
2  A train leaves every 42 minutes.
3 For trains that leave before 9:00 a.m. there are exactly 13 minutes
between each stop.
4 For trains that leave after 9:00 a.m. there are exactly 16 minutes
between stops.

Atlanta-bound

Athens 6:30
Bogart
Winder
Cedars Road
Lawrenceville
Reagan Pkway
Lilburn
Tucker
Emory
Atlantic Station
Atlanta

Students will then write out and number the terms of the following:

– The sequence that gives the times trains leave Athens

– The sequence that gives the times of station stops for the 3rd train to
leave Athens
– The sequence that gives the times of station stops for the 7th train to
leave Athens

Students will make equations that represent the time it takes to get to a stop
on the Atlanta-bound and the Athens-bound trains. Equations will be of the
form T = bS, where S is the stop number, b is the time between each stop, and
T is time. They then use the equation to find the time it takes to get from
Athens to Cedars Road, Athens to Tucker, and Athens to Atlanta. Students
also verify their equations using the schedules they’ve created.

– To determine the difference between solution sets of systems with open

inequalities and those with closed inequalities, students will test the points
that lie on the boundary. On two separate coordinate planes students will
draw the solution sets to the following:

y ≤ x + 5 y ≤ x + 5 y < x + 5 y < x + 5
y ≥ 10 – 4x y > 10 – 4x y ≥ 10 – 4x y > 10 – 4x
46
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Students will test the points (1, 7), (2, 6), (3, 7), (2, 7), and (3, -2) for each
system. Then they will then answer the following questions:

1 What is the only difference between the systems of inequalities?

2 Which points satisfy all four systems? How can you see this on the graphs?
3 Which of the points satisfy none of the systems? How can you see this on
the graphs?
4 For the other points, which systems do they satisfy? How is this issue
related to the system having closed or open inequalities?
5 In general, if a point lies on the boundary line of the solution set of a
system of inequalities, when will it be part of the solution set? When
will it not?

Students will graph and label equations of the form y = mx + b to learn about
the slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines. To study parallel lines, students
will graph and label the pairs of lines given below on separate graphs. After
graphing the equations, students will describe in their own words what lines
with the same slope look like geometrically.

1 slope = 4, y-int = 1 3 slope = -2, y-int = -3 5 slope = 1, y-int = 0

2 slope = 4, y-int = 3 4 slope = -2, y-int = 1 6 slope = 1, y-int = -2

To study perpendicular lines, students will graph and label the pairs of
lines given below on separate graphs. After graphing the equations, students
will describe in their own words what lines with the same slope look like
geometrically.

7 slope = 2, y-int = 2 9 slope = 3, y-int = 4 11 slope = 1, y-int = 0

8 slope = -1/2, y-int = 3 10 slope = -1/3, y-int = 2 12 slope = -1, y-int = 0

Further support can be found in the GPS Mathematics Framework: Unit 3: Linear
Equations; Unit 4: Functions and Relations; Unit 5: Linear Equations and
Inequalities; and Unit 7: Systems of Equations and Inequalities.

The Mathematics Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/mathframework.aspx

47
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Activities 4  Data Analysis and Probability

Georgia Performance Standards M8D1, M8D2, M8D3 and M8D4

The Data Analysis and Probability domain addresses students’ ability to apply
basic concepts of set theory. Students will demonstrate relationships among sets
through use of Venn diagrams; determine subsets, complements, intersection,
and union of sets; and use set notation to denote elements of a set. Students will
determine the number of outcomes related to a given event using tree diagrams,
or with the addition and multiplication principles of counting. Students will use
the basic laws of probability to find the probabilities of simple and compound
independent events. Students will learn to organize, interpret, and make inferences
from statistical data. They will gather data that can be modeled with a linear
function, and use it to estimate and determine a line of best fit on a scatterplot.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To practice working with and using set notation, students will divide 24 of
Shakespeare’s plays into different groups. Students will find the subsets
listed below, and then find various unions and intersections as listed.

The Comedy of Errors: Comedy, 1590 Othello: Tragedy, 1604

King Lear: Tragedy, 1605 Macbeth: Tragedy, 1605
Julius Caesar: Tragedy, 1599 Taming of the Shrew: Comedy, 1593
Much Ado about Nothing: Comedy, 1598 Romeo and Juliet: Tragedy, 1594
All’s Well that Ends Well: Comedy, 1602 Coriolanus: Tragedy, 1607
Two Gentlemen of Verona: Comedy, 1594 Love’s Labour’s Lost: Comedy, 1594
As You Like It: Comedy, 1599 Hamlet: Tragedy, 1600
Measure for Measure: Comedy, 1604 Merchant of Venice: Comedy, 1596
Midsummer Night’s Dream: Comedy, 1595 Twelfth Night: Comedy, 1599
Winter’s Tale: Comedy, 1610 Timon of Athens: Tragedy, 1607
The Tempest: Comedy, 1611 Troilus and Cressida: Tragedy, 1601
Antony and Cleopatra: Tragedy, 1606 Titus Andronicus: Tragedy, 1593

List the names of the plays that fall into each of the following subsets:

A = the subset of Shakespeare’s plays that are comedies

B = the complement of A (the plays that are not in set A; tragedies, not
comedies)
C = the subset of Shakespeare’s plays that were written before 1600
D = the complement of C (the plays that are not in set C; plays not written
before 1600)
E = AC (the plays that are in sets A or C; the plays that are comedies or
the plays written before 1600)
F = AC (the plays that are in sets A and C; the plays that are comedies
and the plays written before 1600)
H = BD (the plays that are in sets B or D; the plays that are not comedies
or the plays that were not written before 1600)

48
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

I = BD (the plays that are in sets B and D; the plays that are not comedies
and the plays that were not written before 1600)
J = CD (the plays that are in sets C and D; the plays that were written
before 1600 and the plays that were not written before 1600)

Students should explain:

1  How they determined the plays that fall in sets B, D, and E through J
2  The difference between the union and the intersection of sets
3 Whether they think the union of two sets always has more elements
(is bigger) than the intersection
4  Why it makes sense that J does not have any plays in it

– Students will develop the connection between tree diagrams and the
multiplication principle by building trees and filling in blanks.

You are ordering a breakfast combo, and have two choices to make:

– You get a bagel with either butter or cream cheese.

– You get either juice or tea.
Make a tree diagram to show the different breakfast combinations you can
choose and then fill in the blanks to finish the following sentence:

There were drink options for each of bagel options, which gave a
total of options.

You order juice and have two choices to make:

– You can have orange, apple, or tomato juice.

– You can have small, medium, or large.
Make a tree diagram to show the different choices you can make for size and
kind of juice. Then fill in the blanks to finish the following sentence:

There were juice options and size options, which gave a total of
options.

At lunch you order a sandwich and have three choices to make:

– You can have either ham or turkey.

– You can have either cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese.
– You can have either mustard or mayonnaise.
Make a tree diagram to show the different combinations you can choose.
Then fill in the blanks to finish the following sentence:

There were meat options, cheese options, and condiment

options, which gave a total of options.

49
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

At dinner you order the daily special and have three choices to make:
– You can have corn, steamed spinach, or carrots.
– You can have French fries, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato.
– You can have chicken, steak, or ham.
Make a tree diagram to show the different dinner combinations you have to
choose from and then fill in the blanks to finish the following sentence:

There were vegetable options, potato options, and meat

options, which gave a total of options.

Students should then explain in their own words how to find the total number
of combinations available without making a tree diagram. They should also
explain how the multiplication rule is related to tree diagrams.

– Calculating probabilities of independent events may be used in observing

different kinds of weather for tomorrow based on this forecast:

We have a 60% chance of sunshine, 20% chance of clouds, and a 20%
chance of rain. The temperature should be in the low 80s, with a 10%
chance of being between 75 and 79 degrees, an 80% chance of being
between 80 and 84 degrees, and a 10% chance of being between 85 and
90 degrees.

Students will assume that the temperature probabilities and the probabilities
of sun/cloud/rain are independent, and use them to find the probability that
tomorrow’s weather will be:

1  77 degrees and sunny

2  87 degrees and rainy
3  81 degrees and cloudy

Finally, students choose three weather conditions (a combination of

temperature and sun, cloud, rain) that they think will have different
probabilities of occurring than those above. Students should use the
individual probabilities to explain why they think the compound probability
will be different. Then they should find the actual probability.

– Students will practice making inferences from statistics by gathering price

data for cereals, making a scatterplot, and creating a line of best fit to
model it. Students will go to the grocery store and record the prices and
weights of 15 different cereals. Students will then plot the values with the
weights on the x-axis and the prices on the y-axis. Students will draw a line
of best fit and explain in their own words what they think is the relationship
between the amount of cereal purchased and the purchase price.

Further support can be found in the GPS Math Framework Unit 1: Probability.

The Mathematics Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/mathframework.aspx
50
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Practice 1 Lisa found the value of 89 and plotted it on a number line.

Which number line shows the value that is closest to 89 ?
Quiz
A

2 What is the value of 36  3-2  3 ?

A 9
B 27
C 81
D 243

3 At a train station, Track B crosses Track A and Track C, which are
parallel to each other. Track A and Track B intersect at an angle
of 150° as shown.

What is the measure of the angle, x, formed by the intersection

of Track B and Track C?
A 30°
B 50°
C 150°
D 180°

4 Tammy is 2 years older than twice the age of her brother. The sum of
their ages is 17. If x represents the age of her brother, which equation
represents this situation?
A 2x + 2 = 17
B 2(x + 2) = 17
C x + 2(x + 2) = 17
D x + (2x + 2) = 17

51
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

5 Eva transports camping tents across a lake using a boat that can
hold a maximum of 1,000 pounds. Eva weighs 100 pounds, and each
tent weighs 50 pounds. The inequality below can be used to find the
number of tents, t, the boat can hold while Eva is onboard.

50t + 100 ≤ 1,000

What is the maximum number of tents the boat can hold with
Eva onboard?
A 17
B 18
C 19
D 22

6 Which relation does NOT represent a function?

A {(3, 2), (–3, 2), (2, 3)}

C x = –2

52
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

7 On a 100-point test, each multiple-choice question is worth 2 points,

and each short-answer question is worth 5 points. The equation below
shows the number of multiple-choice questions, x, and the number of
short-answer questions, y, possible on the test.

2x + 5y = 100

Which graph represents this equation?

A B

C D

8 John gets price quotes from two different lawn-mowing services for
the cost of mowing the field next to his house. Company A charges $8
plus an additional $5 per hour. Company B charges $2 plus an
additional $6 per hour. The price quote for each company is the same
amount. How many hours do the companies estimate it will take to
mow the field?
A 6
B 10
C 21
D 38

9 If T = {the factors of 30} and F = {the factors of 40}, then what is T  F?

A {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40}
B {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30}
C {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40}
D {1, 2, 5, 10}

53
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

10 A bakery sells chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cakes. All of the

cakes are filled with either fruit or cream AND topped with either
glaze or powdered sugar. How many different types of cakes does the
bakery sell?
A 7
B 9
C 12
D 24

54
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Solutions Correct
Number Answer Explanation
1 B Recognize square roots as points and as lengths on
a number line. (M8N1c)
The correct answer is Choice (B). Because 89 is between
81 and 100, its square root will be between 81 5 9 and
100 = 10. Choice (A) is incorrect because it is between
8 and 9, possibly a calculation error. Choice (C) is
incorrect and is half of 89. Choice (D) is incorrect and is
89 itself.

2 D Simplify expressions containing integer exponents.

(M8N1i)
The correct answer is Choice (D) 243. When
multiplying powers with the same base, the exponents
6, -2, and 1 are added to give an exponent of 5:
35 = 243. Choice (A) is incorrect and may result from
dividing 6 by 2 and then subtracting the unlabeled
exponent of 1 to get 32 = 9. Choice (B) is incorrect and
may result from dividing 6 by 2 and then ignoring the
unlabeled exponent of 1 on top of 3 to get 33 = 27.
Choice (C) is incorrect and may result from mistakenly
dividing 6 by 2 and then adding 1 to get 34 = 81.

3 A Apply properties of angle pairs formed by parallel lines

cut by a transversal. (M8G1b)
The correct answer is Choice (A) 30°. Angle x is
congruent to either of the acute angles formed by the
intersection of Track A and Track B. When one of the acute
angles is added to the 150° angle, the result is a line
forming a straight angle of 180°. Subtracting 150° from
180° gives an acute angle measuring 30°. Angle x is
congruent to these acute angles and has the same angle
measure, 30°. Choice (B) is incorrect and may result from
calculation error when solving x + 150 = 180. Choice (C) is
incorrect and may result from thinking that angles inside
the parallel lines on the same side of the transversal
should be equal. Choice (D) is incorrect because 180°
represents the sum of 150° and 30°.

55
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
4 D Represent a given situation using algebraic expressions or
equations in one variable. (M8A1a)
The correct answer is Choice (D) x + (2x + 2) = 17. If x is
the age of Tammy’s brother, then Tammy is twice her
brother’s age (2x) plus two years, or (2x + 2). The sum of
their ages is 17, which is represented as x + (2x + 2) = 17.
Choice (A) is incorrect because 2x + 2 represents only
Tammy’s age rather than the sum of Tammy’s age and her
brother’s age. Choices (B) and (C) are incorrect because
2(x + 2) suggests a misapplication of the distributive
property (placing 2 outside the parentheses) when
attempting to represent Tammy’s age as “2 years older
than twice the age of her brother.” Choice (B) also fails to
represent the sum of their ages.

5 B Use the properties of inequality to solve inequalities.

(M8A2b)
The correct answer is Choice (B) 18. By subtracting
100 from both sides of the inequality it becomes 50t
≤ 900, which reduces to t ≤ 18. Choice (A) is incorrect
and results from subtracting the constant and the
coefficient of t from both sides of the equation before
dividing by 50 or by misreading the inequality symbol as
less than rather than less than or equal to. Choice (C) is
incorrect and results from mistakenly subtracting the
coefficient of t, 50. Choice (D) is incorrect and results
from mistakenly adding 100 to both sides of the
inequality before dividing by 50.

6 C Recognize functions in a variety of representations and

a variety of contexts. (M8A3d)
The correct answer is Choice (C) x = –2. x = –2 is a
vertical line, which means there is more than one y value
that corresponds to the x value of –2. Choice (A) is
incorrect and could represent a function because we
don’t see any repeated values in the input positions of
the coordinate pair. Choice (B) is incorrect. It represents a
function because every input has only one arrow coming
from it, and therefore has only one output. Choice (D) is
incorrect and represents a function because we don’t see
different y outputs for a repeated x input.

56
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
7 A Graph equations of the form ax + by = c. (M8A4d)
The correct answer is Choice (A). The y-intercept of the
equation is 20 and the x-intercept is 50. The only graph
with a line with those intercepts is the graph in Choice
(A). Choice (B) is incorrect and results from using the
x- and y-intercepts as the x and y values of a point on
the line. Choice (C) is incorrect and results from making
the x-intercept 20 and the y-intercept 50. Choice (D) is
incorrect and results from using the x-intercept as the
y value and the y-intercept as the x value of a point on
the line.

8 A Solve systems of equations graphically and algebraically,

using technology as appropriate. (M8A5b)
The correct answer is Choice (A) 6. If h = hours, the
expression for the price quote from Company A is 8 + 5h,
and the expression for the price quote from Company B is
2 + 6h. Because the two price quotes are equal, the two
expressions should be written as an equality: 8 + 5h = 2 + 6h.
Simplifying the equation (by subtracting 5h from both sides
and subtracting 2 from both sides) to isolate the variable, the
result is h = 6. Choice (B) is incorrect and may result from
incorrectly adding 2 to both sides instead of subtracting.
Choice (C) is incorrect and results from simply adding all the
given numbers: 8 + 5 + 2 + 6 = 21. Choice (D) is incorrect and
results from finding the dollar amount of the price quotes
from either company.

9 D Determine subsets, complements, intersection, and union

of sets. (M8D1b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) {1, 2, 5, 10}.
The intersection of two sets includes all the elements
the sets have in common, which in this case is the
common factors of 30 and 40. Choice (A) is incorrect
and represents the elements of set F. Choice (B) is
incorrect and represents the elements of set T. Choice (C)
is incorrect and is the union of T and F.

57
 Chapter Three
Mathematics

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
10 C Apply the addition and multiplication principles of counting.
(M8D2b)
The correct answer is Choice (C) 12. Multiplication can
be used to find the total number of combinations. Since
there are three cake options, two filling options, and two
topping options, the total number of combinations is
3 x 2 x 2 = 12. Choice (A) is incorrect and results from
adding the number of options together instead of
multiplying them. Choices (B) and (D) are incorrect and
may result from calculation error.

58
Science
Chapter 4

Science

Students in Grade 8 work conceptually on the laws of physical science:

conservation of matter and energy, motion, and forces. They use their observations
to explain the difference between physical and chemical changes, to investigate
relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects, and to explore the
wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation. Students at this grade level
identify gravity, electricity, and magnetism as major forces acting in nature.

The Science activities focus on some of the concepts that are assessed on the
Grade 8 CRCT Science domains. These domains are as follows:

1˜Structure of Matter
2˜Force and Motion
3˜Energy and Its Transformations
The Characteristics of Science skills are integrated throughout the domains. These
skills are corequisites for understanding the content of each Science domain.

Characteristics of Science refer to understanding the process skills used in

the learning and practice of science. These skills include testing a hypothesis,
record keeping, using correct safety procedures, using appropriate tools and
instruments, applying math and technology, analyzing data, interpreting results,
and communicating scientific information. Characteristics of Science also refer
to understanding how science knowledge grows and changes, and the processes
that drive those changes. Grade 8 students should be able to replicate
investigations and compare results to find similarities and differences. At this
grade level, the students should understand the importance of working safely.

61
 Chapter Four
Science

Activities 1  Structure of Matter

Georgia Performance Standard S8P1

Within the Structure of Matter domain, students are expected to identify and
demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter, use the Periodic Table of
Elements, and distinguish between physical and chemical properties. Students
are expected to recognize physical and chemical changes, and understand the
difference between atoms and molecules. Students should identify the signs
of a chemical reaction and be able to differentiate between density and mass,
and pure substances and mixtures.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students differentiate between physical and chemical properties,

students will complete a number of experiments. Observations and data
should be recorded in a chart like the example below:

Initial Final Type of Result of the

Trial Observations Observations Reaction Experiment

Experiment 1: Cut an apple and expose it to air for ten minutes.

Experiment 2: Mix ½ cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of baking soda.
Experiment 3: Mix food coloring with a cup of water.
Experiment 4: Mix food coloring with a cup of water and add thirty drops
of bleach to the solution.
Experiment 5: Put hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on a cut apple.
Experiment 6: Mix salt and water together.

Students should be able to label each experiment as resulting in a physical or

chemical change. They should also understand that color changes and the
dissolving of a solute are not clear indicators of a chemical change.

– To help students recognize the similarities and differences in elements,

students will follow in the footsteps of Dmitri Mendeleev and create their
own periodic table. Students will begin by using household items like fruits,
vegetables, clothes, shoes, cleaning materials, and books to create a
household periodic table. Students should create a way to arrange the items
in groups and then as a whole with their classmates. After a class discussion
on the methods used to create the household periodic table, students will
consider the elements iron, aluminum, copper, neon, carbon, oxygen, gold,
silver, fluorine, sodium, chlorine, calcium, nitrogen, and cobalt. On separate
index cards, students should list each element, a description of its physical
and chemical properties, and the element’s atomic number, all of which can
be found on a periodic table. Students will then arrange the elements in a
basic periodic table. Students should be methodical, and group elements

62
 Chapter Four
Science

based on similarities and differences to create their own periodic table. After
completion, students will compare their table to the standardized version and
answer the following questions:

– Are there any major differences between the two charts?

– What characteristics did you use to create your table, and what
characteristics did Mendeleev use to create the early standardized table?
– Which characteristics seem the most important in grouping the elements?
Why?

– To explore the concept of Conservation of Matter, students will perform an

experiment, paying close attention to mass before and after the experiment.
Students will need a reliable scale, one balloon, water, a 2-liter soda bottle,
and four antacid tablets. Students should separately measure the mass of the
balloon, the 2-liter bottle ¾ full of water, and the four antacid tablets. Before
performing the experiments, students should weigh the entire apparatus and
record the data, and then students should predict the mass of the apparatus
after the reaction. During the experiment, students should pay close attention
to making clear and accurate records of the experiment. Students should
then drop the antacid tablets into the bottle of water, quickly place the
balloon over the top of the bottle, and hold it in place with tape. When the
reaction has ended, students should immediately weigh the entire apparatus.
After conducting the experiment, students will answer the questions below
based on their observations:

– What type of reaction occurred? What observations support your answer?

– What types of products were made (color, phase, etc.)?
– Did the mass change? What law does this result support?
– If there was a change, what can account for this change?
– Would the results be the same in an open system (i.e., repeating the
experiment without the balloon)?

Further support can also be found in the GPS Science Framework: Food
and Cooking.

The Science Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/scienceframework.aspx

63
 Chapter Four
Science

Activities 2  Force and Motion

Georgia Performance Standards S8P3 and S8P5

Within the Force and Motion domain, students are expected to investigate
the relationship between force, mass, and motion. Terms like velocity and
acceleration, gravity, inertia, and friction gain new meaning. The effect of
simple machines upon work is examined. Forces acting in nature, gravity,
electricity, and magnetism are explored.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students understand gravity, students will weigh themselves as if they

were on other planets or celestial bodies. Students will complete the
following chart by multiplying the students’ mass by gravity, which will give
the weight for each row. Students should use their weight on Earth as a
baseline for mass, because scales on Earth convert weight to mass by using
the average value of gravity on Earth which is 1.

Average
Acceleration
Location Mass of Gravity Weight

Earth 1
Earth’s Moon 0.17
Venus 0.91
Mars 0.38
Mercury 0.38
Jupiter 2.54
Saturn 1.08
Uranus 0.91
Neptune 1.19
Pluto 0.06
Sun 27.9

After completion, students should answer the following questions:

– How does gravity affect weight?

– On which planets will you weigh the most and the least?
– On which planet is gravity the strongest? Why?

– To show how graphs can help students determine the relationship between
velocity and acceleration, students will create graphs for the following
scenarios. For each scenario, students should graph the scenarios with
velocity (m/s) on the y-axis and time (s) on the x-axis. All movement
is in a straight line.

64
 Chapter Four
Science

– You move a distance of five meters to the kitchen at a velocity of 3 m/s,

pause for three seconds to retrieve a soda, and then walk back to the
couch at a velocity of 1 m/s.
– A bus driver drives 2 kilometers at a velocity of 30 km/hr to the first
bus stop, pauses for four minutes to pick up passengers, and then drives
4 miles to the next stop at 40 km/hr.
– A group runs 500 meters at a velocity of 8 km/hr and then stops for
3 minutes while getting their bikes ready. The group then bikes 6 km
at a velocity of 14 km/hr to the finish line.

For each graph, students should circle any acceleration and box any
deceleration during these activities. Students should then create their own
scenarios and make their own graphs.

– To show how series and parallel circuits are created and work, students will
use two D batteries, pieces of copper wire, two flashlight bulbs that work, and
one flashlight bulb that does not work. Students will complete the following
three tasks using only the starting materials. After each task students should
draw a diagram of each and label the circuit as series or parallel. In a series
circuit, current moves in a loop without splitting, while in a parallel circuit the
current splits when it reaches a point in which two or more wires connect.

Task 1: Using one battery, pieces of wire, and a working light bulb, make
the light bulb light up.
Task 2: Using two batteries, pieces of wire, and a working light bulb, make
the bulb shine brighter than in the first task.
Task 3: Using two batteries, pieces of wire, and a working light bulb make
the bulb shine with the same brightness as in the first task.
Task 4: Using two batteries, pieces of wire, and two working light bulbs,
make both the bulbs light up.
Task 5: Repeat the third task with one light bulb that does not work.
What happens to the circuit?

After completion of the activity, students will create posters that include
information on both circuit types. This information should include the circuit
type, a diagram, and a brief description of how current runs through a circuit.

Further support can also be found in the GPS Science Framework:

Toys and Sports.

The Science Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/scienceframework.aspx

65
 Chapter Four
Science

Activities 3  Energy and Its Transformations

Georgia Performance Standards S8P2 and S8P4

By the end of Grade 8, students should explain energy transformations, in

keeping with the Law of Conservation of Energy, trace different forms of energy
through a given system, and distinguish between kinetic and potential energy.
Heat flow is understood in terms of conduction, convection, and radiation.
Mechanical and electromagnetic waves are defined, and properties of light
and sound energy are explored.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students understand the different types of energy, students will label
the following scenarios with the correct type of energy.

– Riding a bike
–  A light bulb
–  A gas fire
–  Computer speakers
–  A rosebush
–  A diver standing still at the edge of a diving board
–  A stretched spring

After completion of the list, students should pick two scenarios from the list
above to compare and contrast. Students should create a Venn diagram with
two circles, one circle labeled with the first scenario, and the other circle
labeled with the second scenario. Students will fill in the corresponding
circles with information about each type of energy. The space shared by both
circles (the intersection) should include information common to both
scenarios. After completion of the Venn diagram, students should create
posters with illustrations that sum up the differences and similarities between
the two types of energy.

– To help students understand energy transformation in terms of the Law of

Conservation of Energy, students will create energy chains for basic
transformations. An energy chain is an illustrated step-by-step accounting of
energy transformation for a process, like a cartoon strip. An example of an
energy chain is the burning of biomass, such as wood:

66
 Chapter Four
Science

Heat and light energy from the sun is transferred to trees during
photosynthesis and stored as chemical energy. The chemical energy is
released during burning of the wood, and it is transformed into heat and light
energy.

Students will create energy chains for the following scenarios:

–  Fossil fuels
–  Biomass in the form of dung
–  Wind power
–  Wave power
–  Solar power

– To help students visualize the electromagnetic spectrum, students should

conduct research and create poster board replicas of the electromagnetic
spectrum. Students should use white poster board, the Internet or a textbook,
and markers to create the spectrum. During their research, students may
also use the chart below to record data about the parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum.

Types of Frequency Wavelength Sources of Energy Levels Application

Radiation Range Range the Waves of Radiation of Waves

Radio
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible
Ultraviolet
X-ray

After completion of the chart, students should combine research to create

the electromagnetic spectrum. They should make sure that the chart is
aligned to both the frequency and wavelength ranges of the types of
radiation, as well as the application of the types of waves. Students should
answer the following questions after completion of the entire activity:

–  In what part of the spectrum can you see colors?

–  What type of radiation gives humans a suntan?
– Which types of electromagnetic radiation have the highest
and lowest energy?
–  What types of radiation are used to diagnose human health problems?
–  What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Further support can also be found in the GPS Science Framework: Energy
in Our Life.

The Science Framework documents are available at

www.georgiastandards.org/scienceframework.aspx

67
 Chapter Four
Science

Practice 1 Chou lights a candle and the wax begins to melt. Which statement
describes the movement of the particles as the solid candle melts to a
Quiz liquid?
A The particles move faster and farther apart.
B The particles move faster and closer together.
C The particles move slower and farther apart.
D The particles move slower and closer together.

2 Matt adds 5 grams of vinegar to 7 grams of baking soda in a sealed

container. Then he watches the chemical reaction that occurs. Which
of these predicts the mass of the materials in the container after the
reaction is complete?
A 0 grams
B 2 grams
C 12 grams
D 35 grams

3 Emily is riding a roller coaster. The roller coaster moves up a hill

slowly and then starts to move faster as it goes toward the bottom of
the hill. Where on the hill will Emily have the MOST kinetic energy?
A halfway up the hill
B at the top of the hill
C halfway down the hill
D at the bottom of the hill

4 Mr. Davis performs a chemical reaction for the class. Which of these
would NOT show evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?
A change in color
B change in shape
C formation of a gas
D formation of a precipitate

5  upiter has more mass than Earth. Which of these statements

J
would be true about the force of gravity on Rubin if he were able
to visit Jupiter?
A The force due to gravity would be zero on Jupiter.
B The force due to gravity would be smaller but not zero on Jupiter.
C The force due to gravity would be the same on Jupiter.
D The force due to gravity would be larger on Jupiter.

68
 Chapter Four
Science

6 Which of these statements is NOT true about both mechanical and

electromagnetic waves?
A Both types of waves carry energy.
B Both types of waves need a medium to travel.
C Both types of waves can have a variety of frequencies.
D Both types of waves can be described by their wavelengths.

7 Which of these describes an object with the LARGEST acceleration?

A an object with a small change in velocity over a small change in time
B an object with a small change in velocity over a large change in time
C an object with a large change in velocity over a small change in time
D an object with a large change in velocity over a large change in time

8 Ms. Lee heats a pot of water on her stove. Water heated at the bottom
of the pot flows to the top of the pot. The colder water at the top sinks.
As the water moves, heat flows from the hotter water to the colder
water. Which of these terms describes this method of heat transfer?
A conduction
B convection
C emission
D radiation

9 Tyler has an aquarium filled with water. Light shines through the
window and into the aquarium. Which of these describes how the light
wave will MOST LIKELY change as it moves from air into water?
A The light wave will be absorbed.
B The light wave will be diffracted.
C The light wave will be reflected.
D The light wave will be refracted.

10 Samuel is investigating a substance to determine what it is made of.

He studies the physical and chemical properties of the substance.
Which of these properties of the substance is a chemical property?
A the melting point of the substance
B how easily the substance bends
C how well the substance burns
D the density of the substance

69
 Chapter Four
Science

Solutions Correct
Number Answer Explanation
1 A Describe the movement of particles in solids, liquids,
gases, and plasma states. (S8P1c)
The correct answer is Choice (A) The particles move
faster and farther apart. As the candle melts, particles
gain in kinetic energy, move faster, and collide more
frequently, which moves particles away from each other.
Choice (B) is incorrect because it states that the particles
move closer together. Choice (C) is incorrect because it
states that the particles move slower. Choice (D) is
incorrect because it is the opposite of the correct answer.

2 C Identify and demonstrate the Law of Conservation

of Matter. (S8P1g)
The correct answer is Choice (C) 12 grams. The sum
of the mass of the vinegar and baking soda (12 grams)
will not change after the reaction is complete because
there is no loss or gain of mass in a closed chemical
reaction, in accordance with the Law of Conservation
of Matter. Choices (A) and (B) are incorrect because
mass decreases, and Choice (D) is incorrect because
mass increases.

3 D Explain the relationship between potential and

kinetic energy. (S8P2b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) at the bottom of the
hill. The kinetic energy of the cars will be the greatest
at the bottom of the hill, when the cars have used up
their potential energy and reached their greatest speed.
Choices (A) and (C) are incorrect because the roller
coaster cars will not have the greatest amount of kinetic
energy or the greatest amount of potential energy at the
halfway point. Choice (B) is incorrect because the roller
coaster cars have the most potential energy at the top
of the hill.

4 B Distinguish between changes in matter as physical

(i.e., physical change) or chemical (development of a gas,
formation of precipitate, and change in color). (S8P1e)
The correct answer is Choice (B) change in shape.
Change in shape is a physical change, so it does not
alter chemical composition. Choices (A), (C), and (D)
are incorrect because they are all examples of
chemical change.

70
 Chapter Four
Science

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
5 D Recognize that every object exerts gravitational force on
every other object, and that the force exerted depends
on how much mass the objects have and how far apart
they are. (S8P5a)
The correct answer is Choice (D) The force due to
gravity would be larger on Jupiter. Gravitational
pull increases directly with the increase of mass. Jupiter
has more mass, so it has more gravitational pull. Choice
(A) is incorrect, because when there are two objects with
mass there will always be gravitational force. Choices (B)
and (C) are incorrect because gravitational pull would not
be either smaller or the same on Jupiter.

6 B Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and

mechanical waves. (S8P4a)
The correct answer is Choice (B) Both types of waves
need a medium to travel. Mechanical waves require a
material medium to transfer energy, but electromagnetic
waves travel through space and do not require a medium.
Choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because both types
of waves carry energy, have a variety of frequencies, and
can be described by their wavelengths.

7 C Determine the relationship between velocity and

acceleration. (S8P3a)
The correct answer is Choice (C) an object with a large
change in velocity over a small change in time.
Acceleration is dependent on how quickly there is a
change in velocity (a = v – v0/t). A large change in
velocity over a small period of time will have the highest
acceleration. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect
because they represent slower rates of acceleration.

8 B Describe how heat can be transferred through matter

by the collisions of atoms (conduction) or through space
(radiation). In a liquid or gas, currents will facilitate
the transfer of heat (convection). (S8P2d)
The correct answer is Choice (B) convection. When part
of a fluid expands due to heating, its density is reduced
relative to the rest of the water in the pot, so the heated
water rises. Heat is transferred between the heated water
and the cool water through this movement. Choices (A),
(C), and (D) are incorrect because they refer to different
methods of energy transfer.

71
 Chapter Four
Science

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
9 D Describe how the behavior of light waves is manipulated,
causing reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption.
(S8P4b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) The light wave will
be refracted. Since water is denser than air, light waves
slow down as they enter water, causing light waves to
bend or refract. Choices (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect
because they represent how light waves interact with
different media.

10 C Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of

matter as physical (i.e. density, melting point, boiling point)
or chemical (i.e., reactivity, combustibility). (S8P1d)
The correct answer is Choice (C) how well the
substance burns. Combustion is a chemical property
because it indicates a chemical change that a substance
can undergo. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect
because they represent physical properties.

72
Social Studies
Chapter 5

Social Studies

In Grade 8, students study Georgia history, geography, government, and

economics. While the four state domains are interwoven, ample opportunity is
also provided for in-depth study of Georgia history and the government of
Georgia. While U.S. historical events are included to help students understand the
impact of those events on Georgia and to help students understand Georgia’s
role in the history of the United States, the focus is on Georgia.

The Social Studies activities focus on some of the topics assessed on

the Grade 8 CRCT Social Studies domains. These domains are as follows:

1˜History
2˜Geography
3˜Government/Civics
4˜Economics

75
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Activities 1  History
Georgia Performance Standards SS8H1, SS8H2, SS8H3, SS8H4, SS8H5, SS8H6,
SS8H7, SS8H8, SS8H9, SS8H10, SS8H11 and SS8H12

In order for students to fully appreciate Georgia’s place in modern U.S. history,
it is necessary for them to gain an understanding of Georgia’s role in and
contributions to American history. The main focus of this domain is the history
of the state of Georgia. Although students will examine past culture and heritage,
it is important that they demonstrate an ability to analyze and evaluate the
impact of historical figures and events and how they shape and define
contemporary economic, political, and social conditions in Georgia. While the
History domain traces people and events from the development of Native
American cultures to modern times, the primary emphasis is on the period from
the Civil War to the present.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To better understand the colonial period of Georgia’s history, students should

organize an illustrated and annotated timeline. Students will use a large
sheet of poster board to organize the elements chronologically, providing an
illustration to highlight each element included in the timeline. Students will
divide the timeline into four sections and label them European Exploration,
The Founding of Georgia, The Trustee Period, and Georgia as a Royal Colony.
For each time period, two events which help to define Georgia’s development
should be chosen. Students should attach a short paragraph describing the
impact of those elements on the specific time period. Finally, students should
write a paragraph in which they analyze the events depicted on the timeline
and explain their consequences on the overall development of Georgia
during this time period.

– To ensure they understand the important developments in Georgia between

1789 and 1840, students should use a series of graphic organizers to
illustrate the significance of key developments and practices in Georgia
during this time period.

– Graphic Organizer #1. Compare and contrast the effect on Georgia of the
establishment, growth, and development of the Baptist and Methodist
churches.
– Graphic Organizer #2. Compare and contrast the method and results of the
headright system and the land lotteries in the growth of Georgia.
– Graphic Organizer #3. Compare and contrast similarities and differences
between the effects of the cotton gin and railroads on the growth of
Georgia separately, then analyze the two developments when considered
together.
– Graphic Organizer #4. Identify key individuals and events that led to the
removal of the Creeks and Cherokees from Georgia. Analyze the
importance of each individual or event included in your organizer.

76
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

– To better understand the key political, social, and economic changes that
occurred in Georgia between the years of 1877 and 1918, students should
create a series of informational flyers or foldables. Each flyer or foldable will
have three parts. Part 1 will define a particular issue and identify key people
related to that issue. Part 2 will describe how the issue affected Georgia and
the nation at the time, as well as the role played by the people identified in
Part 1. Part 3 will analyze the long-term impact on Georgia and the world.
Students will choose four topics from among the following: the Bourbon
Triumvirate, the International Cotton Expositions, the Populist movement,
the 1906 Atlanta riot, the Leo Frank Case, the county unit system,
disenfranchisement, racial violence, Jim Crow laws, and Plessy v. Ferguson.
Once students have completed all four flyers or foldables, students will
choose one of the issues and write a two-page essay that evaluates
and explains the issue’s immediate impact as well as the lasting influence
on Georgia.

– Students will better understand important events in Georgia that occurred

after World War I by writing investigative newspaper articles dealing with
the four issues listed below from this era. Students should take on the role of
a period journalist, using the Internet or library resources to research the
topics. Keeping in mind the audience of newspaper readers of the period,
students should write articles that address the elements of each issue that
would have been most important to their audience. After writing the four
articles, the student will then write a short essay analyzing the effect the
four topics had on Georgia separately as well as collectively.

– The effect of the boll weevil and the drought on Georgia agriculture.
– Economic factors that helped lead to the Great Depression.
– The impact of the political career of Eugene Talmadge.
– New Deal programs (e.g., Civilian Conservation Corps, Agricultural
Adjustment Act, rural electrification, Social Security) and their effects
on Georgia.

Further support can be found in the GPS Social Studies Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/socialstudiesframework.aspx

77
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Activities 2  Geography
Georgia Performance Standards SS8G1 and SS8G2

The focus of the Grade 8 Geography domain is to examine the influence of

location and physical features as they relate to economic growth and
development in the state of Georgia. By the end of Grade 8, students should be
able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Georgia’s location relative
to the nation, continent, and Western Hemisphere. They should also be able to
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of important physical features of
Georgia, including climate, and the effect these features have on transportation,
trade, and jobs.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– To help students understand the physical features and location of Georgia,

students will create a map of the state and investigate its five geographic
regions. Students will draw the map on poster board and call attention to the
different areas covered by each of the five regions with highlighters or
colored pencils. In each region, students will identify distinctive geographical
features that distinguish it from the other regions. Students will attach
information to the map indicating how each region extends beyond the
borders of Georgia. They should describe the impact of each region on the
development of the state and surrounding areas. The student should include
important agricultural and industrial features whose origins can be traced to
the physical features of the region. Cities whose establishment can be
credited to the physical characteristics of the region should also be identified
on the map. Finally, students should choose one region and present their
findings using the map as a visual resource.

– To help students explain how transportation systems interact to contribute to

Georgia’s economy, students will develop a flow chart. Students should
highlight the connections among the state’s three major transportation
systems: Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport,
and Georgia’s deepwater ports. They will track the route of a product created
in a state other than Georgia, as well as the route of a product created
outside the United States (see sample flow chart below). To help reinforce the
importance of these transportation systems to Georgia’s economy, students
will then add additional shapes to the flow chart at appropriate points to
identify and describe jobs created as a response to the growing needs of the
three transportation systems.

78
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Goods Goods from Spain Goods from

produced shipped via ocean Spain arrive at
in Spain liner to Georgia port in Savannah

Goods from Spain Goods from Spain and

and Alaska are Alaska are delivered to
loaded onto trucks cities across Georgia via
Interstate Highway system

Foods Foods from Foods from

produced Alaska shipped Alaska arrive at
in Alaska via airline from Hartsfield-Jackson
Ted Stevens International Airport
Anchorage
International
Airport

– To help students understand the impact of climate on Georgia’s development,

students will write a speech to persuade a target audience that Georgia has
favorable climate conditions for tourism and business. The speech should
define the appropriate target audience—either tourists or business owners—
and address one of the following questions sets in detail. Students should
also create a visual display to which they will refer while presenting the
speech in front of the class, highlighting the locations of major industrial
areas, farming regions, or major tourist attractions.

– What climate conditions make Georgia a suitable location for crop and
livestock production, and what effects have these conditions had on the
state’s economic and social development? Briefly trace the history of
crop and livestock production in Georgia with an emphasis on how the
climate of Georgia affected the choices early producers made about what
to produce and how the climate affects production choices today as well.

– How does the climate of Georgia affect tourism in the state and what is
the impact of tourism on the state’s economy? The focus of the speech
should be on the impact of climate-related tourism on the state and how
this impact has made Georgia a more desirable location to visit. The
growth of small business and the economic impact on the state and local
communities should be discussed in the speech.

– What impact does the climate of Georgia have on the state’s ability to
attract and keep businesses of all sizes? The focus of the speech should
be on the advantages that climate offers Georgia when it comes to
attracting companies to the state. Discuss not only the initial advantages
but the overall advantages of locating to and remaining in Georgia.

79
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

– What impact has climate had on the development of Georgia’s primary

industries (raising crops and livestock, forestry, mining, and fishing) and
the subsequent growth of manufacturing and service industries in the
state? The focus of this speech should be on the interdependence and
interrelationships between the primary, manufacturing, and service
industries, and the role of Georgia’s climate in the growth and
development of each.

Further support can be found in the GPS Social Studies Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/socialstudiesframework.aspx

80
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Activities 3  Government/Civics
Georgia Performance Standards SS8CG1, SS8CG2, SS8CG3, SS8CG4, SS8CG5
and SS8CG6

The focus of the Grade 8 Government/Civics domain is the process of

government in the state of Georgia and the political role of citizens under its
constitution. For citizens to participate in the political process and fulfill their
civic responsibilities, it is important that they acquire knowledge and
understanding of the political and legal structures and institutions that govern
their state. By the end of Grade 8, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of their civic rights and responsibility to
participate in the political process (voting, joining political parties, running for
public office, etc.). They must also be able to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of the legislative, executive, and judicial structures and processes
of state government, the role of local government, and the justice system as it
relates to juvenile offenders.

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– After learning how Georgia’s constitution provides for political participation

by its citizens, students will create an album reflecting this process at work.
Students will be divided into three groups. The first group will focus on
current events, the second group will concentrate on the revolutionary era,
and the third group will focus on the civil rights movement of the 1950s and
1960s. Each group should collect newspaper articles, magazine articles, or
photographs that demonstrate five different ways citizens of Georgia
participate in the political process, such as voting, peaceful protests,
participating in political parties, campaigning, running for public office, etc.
Students in each group will write a short essay describing the activity in each
source example, explaining the rights at play, and defending the importance
of this type of political participation. After reading the essays to the class,
students will then compare and contrast the examples of political
participation throughout history and analyze the impact of this participation
on the development of Georgia.

– To help the students analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia’s
state government, students will research the process a bill follows to become
a law and form a mock General Assembly to carry out the process. First,
students should study the organization and role of the state legislature. Next,
students should create a flow chart to illustrate the steps a bill must take to
become a law. At each step in the process, students should include in the
flow chart events that could halt the bill’s progress, as well as what is
required to keep the bill moving forward. As students work, ask guiding
questions such as, What are the qualifications and duties of the members of
the General Assembly? and Who leads the General Assembly and how does
the committee system work? After students have completed their research,
they should create a bill for consideration in the legislature. Using the flow
chart they created earlier, the students should then describe the steps their
bill would take, including specific committees it would have to pass through.

81
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Students will then plan and execute a mock General Assembly to carry out
the process a bill would follow through the legislative branch in Georgia’s
state government in order to become a law.

– Students will analyze the distinct functions and purposes of the three basic
forms of municipal government in Georgia by using a chart to compare and
contrast their characteristics. Students will create a chart following the
sample below. The columns distinguish the three municipal government
forms, and the rows direct student research into the specific roles and
characteristics within each type of government. Students should use the
results of their research to fill in each box on the chart. They will then split
into three groups for a debate. Each group will select one of the three
municipal governments and argue the advantages of this form of
government, analyzing why their chosen government is best suited to serve
the needs of a city of a particular size.

Strong Weak Council-Manager

Mayor-Council Mayor-Council
Role of Mayor
Role of City Council
Special features of
this government

Strength(s) of
this government
Weakness(es) of
this government

– To help students understand the juvenile justice system, students will perform
a skit under careful guidance from a teacher or parent, demonstrating how
the legal process works in the case of juvenile offenders. Students will
choose an act that would have them tried either as a delinquent juvenile or
as an unruly juvenile or status offender. Students will then be paired up with a
classmate or a family member. In this activity, a teacher or parent will play
the role of the police officer or authority figure, while the students assume
the role of the juvenile offenders. The process should reflect all steps from
the time juvenile is taken into custody through the adjudication and
disposition of the case. The skit should address one of the following
important issues.

– Delinquent behaviors vs. unruly behaviors and possible consequences

of each
– Rights of juveniles when taken into custody
– Steps in the juvenile justice process

Further support can be found in the GPS Social Studies Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/socialstudiesframework.aspx

82
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Activities 4  Economics
Georgia Performance Standards SS8E1, SS8E2, SS8E3, SS8E4 and SS8E5

The Grade 8 Economics domain focuses on the various factors that have
influenced and shaped Georgia’s economic growth and development. While
the focus is on the modern time period, consideration will be given to past
developments. After tracing previous economic trends and developments,
connections and links to the modern era can be better understood. By the end of
Grade 8, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of the importance of both domestic and international trade to Georgia’s
economic growth and development. Students should also know and understand
the role of the entrepreneur through the investment of resources, and the risks
associated with these investments, to generate economic growth and
productivity. Finally, students will be expected to know and understand revenue
sources available to both state and local governments to finance various public
services (for example, sales taxes, federal grants, personal income taxes, and
property taxes).

The following activities develop skills in this domain:

– Students will better understand personal money management by tracking

projected income, spending, and savings over a one-month period. First,
students will choose a familiar profession they are interested in, such as a
teacher, accountant, radiologist, welder, researcher, or programmer. Then
students should do research to determine the average salary for this
profession in their area using Internet resources or reference books. Based on
the salary, students should calculate a projected monthly income before and
after taxes. Provide scenarios for each student so they can estimate their
monthly expenses. For instance, some students will have new cars, others
older cars; some will live in small apartments, some will live in larger (more
expensive) homes; some will live alone, others may have (a) roommate(s) to
share expenses; some students will live within a few miles of their jobs, others
will have to travel long distances (30 miles or more). Once each scenario has
been assigned, students will do research using the Internet and newspapers
to determine their monthly expenses. Students should project savings and
expenditures based on this research and use a spreadsheet or chart to track
the following items.

– Other income
– Rent or mortgage payments
– Property taxes and insurance
– Utilities (electric, gas/heating oil, telephone, cell phone, cable TV, Internet
service, etc.)
– Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) and medications
– Auto payments, fuel, maintenance, parking/tolls, and insurance
– Public transportation
– Groceries and eating out

83
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

– Student loans
– Child care
– Entertainment
Students should answer the following questions as a follow-up to their
money management experiment.

– Looking at your money management record, how much money will you
have that can be saved at the end of each month?
– Does your projected income allow you to live the way you want? If not,
what changes might you have to make?
– Can you think of ways to save money for something you really want
to buy?
– Did you identify expenses you did not expect? How might you be able to
handle such expenses?

– To help students understand the effects of international trade on Georgia,

students should visit local businesses to explore products manufactured in
foreign countries. Students should ask a store manager about the impact of
this merchandise on his or her business. Students should record their findings
and discuss with classmates and/or family members. To better assess the
importance of international trade on their community, students should
answer the following questions.

– How has international trade influenced my experience as a consumer

in Georgia?
– How has international trade helped create jobs both at home and abroad?
– How has international trade helped connect people and led to
economic interdependence?
– How would my life be affected if international trade were immediately
eliminated?

Students should write a journal entry for a “time capsule” to predict how
international trade will affect them and their families by changing the types
of employment opportunities and consumer choices that will be available
during their lifetimes. Students should consider the influence of factors such
as globalization, outsourcing, and multinational corporations. Students
should save the results of their interview and their journal entry in a safe
place, and review the contents in ten years to see how well the market
outcomes match their predictions.

To help students understand the importance of entrepreneurship to Georgia’s

economic growth and development, students will interview local
entrepreneurs who have founded both large and small businesses. Students’
questions should focus on gaining insight into the decision making process
necessary for starting a business, as well as risks, costs, and contributions
made by new businesses in local and surrounding communities. After
interviewing the entrepreneurs and researching the economic impact of the
various businesses on their communities, students should analyze the
information and report back to their classmates. Students should include

84
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

a description of how both large and small businesses each impact the
community.

Students should ask questions during the interview including, but not limited
to, the following:

– What was the main reason you decided to start your own business?
– What need in the community did your business meet?
– How is your business affected by the community in which it is located?
How might it be different if it were in a different community?
– Can you explain the process of getting a business started, including
permits, buying property, and hiring employees?
– What difficulties did you encounter during this process?
– How did the community respond to your business?
– What, if any, changes have you made to adapt to the changing demands
of the community?
– How do you compete with other businesses, especially larger ones, that
provide the same service?
– What costs, financial or otherwise, were involved?
– What risks did you have to take and what rewards have you reaped?
– How does your business contribute to the community’s economic growth?

Finally, students should create a business plan for a fictional business of their
choosing. Students should use a chart to analyze the costs of starting a new
business, list possible risks they would face as entrepreneurs, and explain
how their business would affect the surrounding community.

– To help students understand the types of goods and services produced

and traded by Georgians during different historical time periods, students will
work together in small groups researching the Internet (.edu, .gov, or .org
websites), encyclopedias, textbooks, and other grade-level appropriate
materials on this topic. Each group will be assigned one time period and will
need to complete all columns of the applicable row of this chart.

85
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

What kinds
of things
Why were did Why did
these Who did Georgians Georgians
What goods particular Georgians need to need to
and services goods and trade these import important
were services goods and during this these
produced in produced at services time particular
Georgia? this time? with? period? things?

Colonial Era,
1733–1775
Revolution and
Early Republic,
1775–1800
Antebellum Era,
1800–1860
Civil War and
Reconstruction,
1861–1877
Late Nineteenth
Century,
1877–1900
Progressive Era
to World War II,
1900–1945
Civil Rights and
Sunbelt Georgia,
1945–1990

After the groups complete their research, students will write a group report
about each particular time period using all of the information they gathered
in the chart. Then the groups will present their reports to the rest of the class.
As the reports are given, the other students will complete their individual
charts for each time period. When completed, these charts will help them
review the economic history for all time periods in the state of Georgia. As a
follow-up activity, students will spend time in pairs quizzing each other on
the information contained in the charts.

Further support can be found in the GPS Social Studies Framework at

www.georgiastandards.org/socialstudiesframework.aspx

86
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Practice 1

Which condition in England inspired James Oglethorpe to plan a
colony in Georgia?
Quiz A The government was too strict in England.
B There were a large number of debtors in England.
C There was very little available farmland in England.
D The black plague was claiming many lives in England.

2 What was the purpose of the land lotteries?

A to provide land for the Native Americans to settle
B to set aside acreage for national parks and wildlife
C to allow wealthy families to purchase large tracts of land
D to encourage a large number of families to settle the Georgia frontier

3 Which name goes in the center circle of this graphic organizer?

First woman
to serve in the
U.S. Senate

Opposed the
Bourbon Triumvirate A suffragette who
and supported fought for voting
small farmers rights for women

A Nancy Hart
B Mary Musgrove
C Lugenia Burns Hope
D Rebecca Latimer Felton

4 Which of these factors played a major role in Georgia’s farming crisis

during the 1920s?
A cold weather
B the cotton gin
C the gray locust
D the boll weevil

87
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

5 Which number marks the location of the Savannah River?

A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4

6 How did Georgia’s Fall Line encourage industrial growth in the 1800s?
A Its forests provided trees for the timber industry.
B Its rapid rivers provided water power for industrial plants.
C Its deep-sea ports made it easy for industries to ship goods.
D Its high mountains and scenic beauty promoted the tourism industry.

7 In the Georgia General Assembly, who presides over the Senate?
A Governor
B Majority Whip
C Minority Leader
D Lieutenant Governor

8 Which of these occurs after a bill is approved by both houses of the

Georgia General Assembly?
A The president of the United States reviews the bill.
B The governor either signs the bill into law or vetoes it.
C The judicial branch sends the bill to the Supreme Court.
D The citizens of the state vote on the bill in the next primary.

88
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

9 Which of these is a function of a special-purpose government in

Georgia?
A conducting trials
B appointing a mayor
C enforcing state laws
D operating an airport

10 A student is organizing his finances. He has drawn a chart with four

columns labeled income, spending, credit, and saving. Which of these
belongs in the credit column?
A interest earned
B loan from a bank
C wages from a job
D purchase of stocks

89
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Solutions Correct
Number Answer Explanation
1 B Explain the importance of James Oglethorpe, the Charter
of 1732, reasons for settlement (charity, economics, and
defense), Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, and the city of
Savannah. (SS8H2a)
The correct answer is Choice (B) There were a large
number of debtors in England. The primary purpose
behind the settlement of Georgia was James
Oglethorpe’s interest in establishing a colony for English
debtors. Choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because
they all list reasons unrelated to the settlement of
Georgia, though they do list reasons for the settlement of
other areas in the United States.

2 D Evaluate the impact of land policies pursued by Georgia;

include the headright system, land lotteries, and the Yazoo
land fraud. (SS8H5b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) to encourage a large
number of families to settle the Georgia frontier.
Throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the
state of Georgia sponsored several land lotteries to make
its western lands more economically viable. These
lotteries helped facilitate the removal of eastern tribes
from the interior and southeast, thereby extending state
jurisdiction over these lands. This was done to meet the
demand for arable land and to promote economic
growth. Choice (A) is incorrect because land was actually
taken away from Native Americans. Choice (B) is incorrect
because the land was used for people to settle, not for
creating parks. Choice (C) is incorrect because the land
was utilized by common citizens of Georgia as well as
the wealthy.

3 D Evaluate the impact the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry

Grady, International Cotton Exposition, Tom Watson and
the Populists, Rebecca Latimer Felton, the 1906 Atlanta
Riot, the Leo Frank Case, and the county unit system had
on Georgia during this period. (SSH8H7a)
The correct answer is Choice (D) Rebecca Latimer
Felton. She was the first woman to serve in the U.S.
Senate. Her greatest impact was her influence in
promoting women’s right to vote. Choices (A), (B), and (C)
are incorrect because they were a woman in the militia,
an interpreter for James Oglethorpe, and an African-
American social reformer, respectively.

90
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
4 D Describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on
Georgia. (SS8H8a)
The correct answer is Choice (D) the boll weevil.
It is a well-documented fact that boll weevil
infestation devastated cotton production throughout
the South during the 1920s. Choices (A), (B), and (C) did
not play major roles in the farming crisis in Georgia
during the 1920s.

5 D Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical

features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall
Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains,
Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands.
(SS8G1c)
The correct answer Choice is (D) 4. The Savannah River
makes up the majority of the boundary between Georgia
and South Carolina. Choices (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect
because they label the Flint, Satilla, and the Altamaha
Rivers, respectively.

6 B Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical

features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall
Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains,
Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands.
(SS8G1c)
The correct answer is Choice (B) Its rapid rivers
provided water power for industrial plants. The Fall
Line is a region in Georgia where rivers and streams run
across resistant rock formations that create waterfalls.
The water pressure from the waterfalls is used to provide
power for nearby industrial plants. Choice (A) is incorrect
because the Fall Line did not help the lumber industry.
Choice (C) is incorrect because the Fall Line is not
located near the coast of Georgia, and did not affect the
shipment of goods. Choice (D) is incorrect because,
although high mountains and scenic beauty may have
encouraged tourism, growth in the tourism industry did
not encourage industrial growth.

91
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
7 D Describe the organization of the General Assembly, with
special emphasis on leadership and the committee
system. (SS8CG2b)
The correct answer is Choice (D) Lieutenant Governor.
The responsibility of presiding over the state Senate
was one of the roles of the Lieutenant Governor when
the office was created in the 1945 revision of the
Georgia Constitution. Choices (A), (B), and (C) are
incorrect because all play different roles in Georgia’s
government that are not directly related to the authority
of the Senate.

8 B Trace the steps in the legislative process for a bill to

become law in Georgia. (SS8CG2c)
The correct answer is Choice (B) The governor either
signs the bill into law or vetoes it. According to Article
III, section V, paragraph XIII of the Georgia State
Constitution, once a bill has been approved by both
houses of the General Assembly the governor has the
option to sign it into law or veto the bill. Choice (A) is
incorrect because the president of the United States is
not involved in approval of state laws. Choice (C) is
incorrect because the judicial branch has nothing to do
with passing laws. Choice (D) is incorrect because the
citizens are not involved in this step of proposing or
making laws.

9 D Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.

(SS8CG5c)
The correct answer is Choice (D) operating an airport.
Operating an airport is the function of a special-purpose
government because most airports are owned by state or
local governments and are leased to private corporations.
Choices (A), (B), and (C) list functions of other government
branches. Conducting trials, appointing individuals to
office, and enforcing state laws are all standard functions
of state, county, and city governments in Georgia.

92
 Chapter Five
Social Studies

Correct
Number Answer Explanation
10 B The student will explain personal money management
choices in terms of income, spending, credit, savings, and
investing. (SS8E5)
The correct answer is Choice (B) loan from a bank. The
money obtained through a bank loan becomes a credit in
the account of the person who secured the loan. Choice
(A) is incorrect because interest is earned on an account
such as savings or an investment. Choice (C) is incorrect
because wages from a job is money earned, and has
nothing to do with credit. Choice (D) is incorrect because
purchasing stocks is an investment.

93
Copyright © 2008 by Georgia Department of Education.
All rights reserved. Lexile is a registered trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc.