Students will use differing levels of inquiry to discover how science gets done and the nature of science. Cultural historical development that contributed to today's scientific knowledge will be introduced this quarter and continue throughout the year.
Studies of Earth
Describe the composition and interactions between the structure of the Earth and its atmosphere.
1.Classify rocks and minerals by the following observable properties:
grain, color, texture, hardness.
2.Describe the properties and the composition of the following major layers of the Earth: crust, mantle, core.
3.Explain the following processes involved in the formation of the Earth's structure: erosion, deposition, plate tectonics, volcanism.
4.Describe how the rock and fossil record show that environmental conditions have changed over geologic and recent time.
Earth's Processes and Systems
Understand the processes acting on the Earth and their interaction with the earth systems.
1.Explain the rock cycle.
2.Distinguish the components and characteristics of the rock cycle for the following types of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary.
3.Analyze the evidence that lithospheric plate movements occur.
4.Explain lithospheric plate movement as a result of convection.
5.Relate plate boundary movements to their resulting landforms, including: mountains, faults, rift valleys, trenches , volcanoes
6.Describe how earthquakes are measured.
3rd Quarter : Astronomy
Earth in the Solar System
Understand the relationships of the Earth and other objects in the solar system.
1.Explain the phases of the Moon in terms of the relative positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
2.Construct a model for the relative positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon as they relate to corresponding eclipses.
3.Explain the interrelationship between the Earth≠s tides and the Moon.
4.Explain the seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in terms of the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the Earth's revolution around the Sun.
5.Identify the following major constellations visible (seasonally) from the Northern Hemisphere:
a) Orion
b) Ursa Major (Great Bear)
c) Cygnus
d) Scorpius
e) Cassiopeia
6.Explain the relationship among common objects in the solar system, galaxy, and the universe.
4th Quarter : Ecology
Analyze the relationships among various organisms and their environment.
1.Compare food chains in a specified ecosystem and their corresponding food web.
2.Explain how organisms obtain and use resources to develop and thrive in predator/prey relationships and niches.
3.Analyze the interactions of living organisms with their ecosystems which include limiting factors and carrying capacity.
4.Evaluate data related to problems associated with population growth (e.g., overgrazing, forest management, invasion of non-native species) and the possible solutions.
5.Predict how environmental factors (e.g., floods, droughts, temperature changes) affect survival rates in living organisms.
6.Create a model of the interactions of living organisms within an ecosystem.
