Earth Science

2010/2011
September October November/December January/ February March April May/June
Units        Intro to Earth Science Maps and Measurements Dynamic Earth   Astronomy       Rocks and Minerals       Earth’s History Landscapes         Insolation          Meteorology          Climate   Regents Review
Big Idea(s) Observing and Measuring the Earth and its Activity Light, Gravity, Motions of the Planets and the Origins of the Universe Identification and Classification of the Different Rocks and Minerals The Composition of the Earth’s Surface and how it has Changed The Atmosphere Predicting the Weather The Factors that Determine Climate and Climate Change  How Much Do We Remember?
Skills/Labs Describe how scientists view and study the earth today Describe the four spheres of Earth Science Explain how maps are models of the Earth Use a latitude and longitude to describe a location on Earth Describe topographic map symbols Explain how Earth’s landmasses have changed positions over the past 200 years Explain how the theory of plate tectonics supports the occurrences of earthquakes and volcanoes Explain the structure of the sun and its energy source Explain Newton’s Law of Gravitation Describe the motion and characteristics of the planets Describe the features and properties of the moon Explain the reason why the moon goes through phases Analyze how the Earth-Moon-Sun geometry causes lunar and solar eclipses Differentiate among the three major types of rocks Compare and contrast the processes in the rock cycle Identify minerals by inspection using physical properties Identify minerals using simple tests of both physical and chemical properties   Describe the effects of mechanical and chemical weathering Identify the factors that affect weathering rates Explain how soil forms Describe soil composition and the factors that affect it Describe the ways in which human activity threatens soil fertility Define river system Describe how streams weather and erode Earth’s surface Describe the formation of rapids and waterfalls Explain porosity and permeability Describe the three basic forms of cloudsCompare and contrast how precipitation forms in warm clouds and cold clouds Define air pressure Describe how changes in elevation, temperature, and humidity affect air pressure Describe the Coriolis effect   Compare and contrast different types of air masses Compare and contrast the different technologies used to gather weather data Analyze weather symbols, models and maps Describe the conditions necessary for the formation of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis Describe how weather forecasts are made Describe the factors that influence climate Describe Earth’s major climate zones Explain the causes of climate change Analyze questions on practice Regents Exams. Determine strengths and weaknesses for Earth Science concepts. Determine topics that need further review. Summarize test taking tips.
Essential Question(s) What are the four spheres of Earth Science and how are they connected? What tools and technologies do scientists use to study the Earth?   How much have we learned about the universe?   How Do Scientists Identify and Classify Different Rocks and Minerals? What are the processes that affect the surface of the Earth? How does human activity affect the atmosphere? How can we predict the weather?   What causes the Different Climate PatternsIn Different Locations? Do BSSWA students understand and use the concepts needed to pass the Earth Science Regents?
Assessments/Evidence of Learning Evaluation of lab write ups Written problem solving exercises.Individual and group projects Journals Completed homework assignments Unit exams Quizzes Tracking sheet: Demonstrated skills. Art projects Writing projects . Mock weather broadcast Regents Exam practice tests.
Suggested Texts
Resources Earth Science Podcasts
Helpful Links:

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/lets-get-down-to-earth-science/id272610388

http://www.nasa.gov/

2010/2011	September	October	November/December	January/ February	March	April	May/June
Units	Intro to Earth Science Maps and Measurements Dynamic Earth	Astronomy	Rocks and Minerals	Earth’s History Landscapes	Insolation	Meteorology	Climate Regents Review
Big Idea(s)	Observing and Measuring the Earth and its Activity	Light, Gravity, Motions of the Planets and the Origins of the Universe	Identification and Classification of the Different Rocks and Minerals	The Composition of the Earth’s Surface and how it has Changed	The Atmosphere	Predicting the Weather	The Factors that Determine Climate and Climate Change How Much Do We Remember?
Skills/Labs	Describe how scientists view and study the earth today Describe the four spheres of Earth Science Explain how maps are models of the Earth Use a latitude and longitude to describe a location on Earth Describe topographic map symbols Explain how Earth’s landmasses have changed positions over the past 200 years Explain how the theory of plate tectonics supports the occurrences of earthquakes and volcanoes	Explain the structure of the sun and its energy source Explain Newton’s Law of Gravitation Describe the motion and characteristics of the planets Describe the features and properties of the moon Explain the reason why the moon goes through phases Analyze how the Earth-Moon-Sun geometry causes lunar and solar eclipses	Differentiate among the three major types of rocks Compare and contrast the processes in the rock cycle Identify minerals by inspection using physical properties Identify minerals using simple tests of both physical and chemical properties	Describe the effects of mechanical and chemical weathering Identify the factors that affect weathering rates Explain how soil forms Describe soil composition and the factors that affect it Describe the ways in which human activity threatens soil fertility Define river system Describe how streams weather and erode Earth’s surface Describe the formation of rapids and waterfalls Explain porosity and permeability	Describe the three basic forms of cloudsCompare and contrast how precipitation forms in warm clouds and cold clouds Define air pressure Describe how changes in elevation, temperature, and humidity affect air pressure Describe the Coriolis effect Compare and contrast different types of air masses	Compare and contrast the different technologies used to gather weather data Analyze weather symbols, models and maps Describe the conditions necessary for the formation of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis Describe how weather forecasts are made	Describe the factors that influence climate Describe Earth’s major climate zones Explain the causes of climate change Analyze questions on practice Regents Exams. Determine strengths and weaknesses for Earth Science concepts. Determine topics that need further review. Summarize test taking tips.
Essential Question(s)	What are the four spheres of Earth Science and how are they connected? What tools and technologies do scientists use to study the Earth?	How much have we learned about the universe?	How Do Scientists Identify and Classify Different Rocks and Minerals?	What are the processes that affect the surface of the Earth?	How does human activity affect the atmosphere?	How can we predict the weather?	What causes the Different Climate PatternsIn Different Locations? Do BSSWA students understand and use the concepts needed to pass the Earth Science Regents?
Assessments/Evidence of Learning	Evaluation of lab write ups Written problem solving exercises.Individual and group projects Journals Completed homework assignments Unit exams Quizzes Tracking sheet: Demonstrated skills. Art projects Writing projects	.				Mock weather broadcast	Regents Exam practice tests.
Suggested Texts
Resources	Earth Science Podcasts