GEMS Correlations with the Florida Sunshine State Standards

Grade Level Expectations and Benchmarks for Science
Grades 6–8

Strand C: Force and Motion

Return to Sunshine State Standards Page

Standard 1: The student understands that types of motion may be described, measured, and predicted.

Benchmark SC.C.1.3.1: The student knows that the motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed.

Sixth Grade

1. knows that a change in motion and position can be measured.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets, The Real Reasons for Seasons

2. knows ways to measure time intervals.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

3. knows ways to estimate speed.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets, The Real Reasons for Seasons

Seventh Grade

1. knows that the motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

Eighth Grade

1. knows that speed, velocity, and acceleration can be calculated, estimated, and defined.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets, The Real Reasons for Seasons

Benchmark SC.C.1.3.2: The student knows that vibrations in materials set up wave disturbances that spread away from the source (e.g., sound and earthquake waves).

Sixth Grade

3. knows some causes and effects of waves.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Global Warming

Standard 2: The student understands that the types of force that act on an object and the effect of that force can be described, measured, and predicted.

Benchmark SC.C.2.3.1: The student knows that many forces (e.g., gravitational, electrical, and magnetic) act at a distance (e.g., without contact).

Seventh Grade

1. knows the properties of forces.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

Eighth Grade

1. knows that many forces act at a distance.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Moons of Jupiter

Benchmark SC.C.2.3.3: The student knows that if more than one force acts on an object, then the forces can reinforce or cancel each other, depending on their direction and magnitude.

Sixth Grade

1. recognizes the result of several forces acting on an object.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets, Moons of Jupiter

Eighth Grade

1. recognizes the forces that act on a given object.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

3. knows that forces may be balanced or unbalanced.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

Benchmark SC.C.2.3.5: The student understands that an object in motion will continue at a constant speed and in a straight line until acted upon by a force and that an object at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by a force.

Sixth Grade

1. knows that an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

2. knows objects in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

Eighth Grade

1. understands that an object in motion will continue at a constant speed and in a straight line until acted upon by a force and that an object at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by a force.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets

Benchmark SC.C.2.3.7: The student knows that gravity is a universal force that every mass exerts on every other mass.

Sixth Grade

1. knows that gravity is a force that causes an object to fall to the ground.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Experimenting with Model Rockets, Moons of Jupiter

Seventh Grade

2. knows that gravity is a force that holds the Solar System together.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Moons of Jupiter

Eighth Grade

1. knows that gravity is a universal force that every mass exerts on every other mass.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher Guides: Moons of Jupiter