EARTH SCIENCE Unit 1 Rocks and Minerals Standard: 3.6 Describe the rock cycle, and the processes that are responsible for the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Compare the physical properties of these rock types and the physical properties of common rock-forming minerals. Lab: Mineral identification lab Test: Mineral identification Lab: Identify igneous rocks Lab: Identify sedimentary rocks Test: Rock identification Definition of a mineral Processes by which minerals form Physical properties of rock and minerals Distinguishing common rocks and minerals Understanding the rock cycle Formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks Identify the physical properties of minerals Identify metamorphic rocks Outside walk around school grounds to identify rocks Identification of rocks brought into class from home by students Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 3-5 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 2 and 3 1 June 2007
Unit 2 Plate Tectonics Standard: 1.1 Identify Earth s principal sources of internal and external energy, such as radioactive decay, gravity, and solar energy. Why is the interior of Earth hot? What forms of energy cause movement on Earth s surface? There is variation in the material of Earth s interior. There are several forms of energy, both internal and external, that drive all processes on Earth. Gravitational pull and mass demonstration Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 Standard: 3.8 Trace the development of a lithospheric plate from its growth at a divergent boundary (mid-ocean ridge) to its destruction at a convergent boundary (subduction zone). Recognize that alternating magnetic polarity is recorded in rock at midocean ridges. Test: Plate tectonics Earth s crust is in constant motion Earth s surface is divided into lithospheric plates New crust is formed at divergent boundaries Crust is destroyed at Subduction zones Evidence for sea-floor spreading Identify plates Continental movement over time Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 2 June 2007
Standard: 3.9 Explain the relationship between convection currents in Earth s mantle and the motion of the lithospheric plates. Test: Plate tectonics Convection currents in the mantle drive lithospheric plate movement Convection demonstrations Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 Standard: 3.10 Relate earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, mountain building, and tectonic uplift to plate movements. Test: Plate tectonics Lab: Mapping earthquakes Report: Internet research on notable earthquakes Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and mountain building are all related to plate movement Earthquake demonstration blocks Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 3 June 2007
Standard: 3.11 Explain how seismic data are used to reveal Earth s interior structure and to locate earthquake epicenters. Lab: Locating the epicenter of an earthquake Test: Plate tectonics Differentiate the epicenter and focus of an earthquake Earthquakes produce p-waves, s-waves and surface waves Earthquakes are caused by the movement of lithospheric plates Because of their differing characteristics, p-waves and s-waves have contributed to our understanding of different layers of Earth s interior Cross-sectional models of Earth s interior Seismograph demonstration Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 Standard: 3.12 Describe the Richter scale of earthquake magnitude and the relative damage that is incurred by earthquakes of a given magnitude. Test: Plate tectonics Lab: Locating the epicenter of an earthquake Report: Internet research on notable earthquakes Richter scale is a logarithmic scale that measures earthquake magnitude Class discussion of internet reports Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science. Chapters 13-16 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 8-11 4 June 2007
Unit 3 Historical Geology Standard: 3.7 Describe the absolute and relative dating methods used to measure geologic time, such as index fossils, radioactive dating, law of superposition, and crosscutting relationships. Lab: Sequence of events, relative dating Lab: Radioactive half-life Test: Historical geology Report: Internet research on prehistoric creature Differentiate fossils and index fossils Differentiate relative dating and absolute dating Calculating half-life Appreciating the fossil record Understanding and using the geologic time scale Recognizing common index fossils Using the principals of relative dating including superposition, original horizontality and crosscutting relationships Appreciate the principle of Uniformitarianism Geologic cross-sections Fossil models Radioactive decay series Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 32-34 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 12 and 13 5 June 2007
Unit 4 Oceanography Standard: 1.3 Explain how the transfer of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection contributes to global atmospheric processes, such as storms, winds, and currents. Lab: Density Test: Oceanography Energy is transferred through radiation, conduction and convection Solar energy drives atmospheric and oceanic circulation Density blocks Bimetallic strip Liquid density demonstration Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 17-19 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 14-16 Standard: 1.7 Explain the dynamics of oceanic currents, including upwelling, deep-water currents, the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream, and their relationship to global circulation within the marine environment and climate. Lab: Salinity Test: Oceanography Conveyor belt model of ocean circulation Ocean currents are the primary mechanism for the transfer of heat from the equator to the poles Relationship of ocean temperature and salinity to water density Coriolis demonstration Draw and label ocean currents Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 17-19 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 14-16 6 June 2007
Unit 5 Meteorology Standard: 1.4 Provide examples of how the unequal heating of Earth and the Coriolis effect influence global circulation patterns, and show how they impact Massachusetts weather and climate (e.g., global winds, convection cells, land/sea breezes, mountain/valley breezes). Standard: 1.5 Explain how the revolution of Earth around the Sun and the inclination of Earth on its axis cause Earth s seasonal variations (equinoxes and solstices). Standard: 1.6 Describe the various conditions associated with frontal boundaries and cyclonic storms (e.g., thunderstorms, winter storms [nor easters], hurricanes, tornadoes) and their impact on human affairs, including storm preparations. 7 June 2007
Standard: 1.8 Read, interpret, and analyze a combination of ground-based observations, satellite data, and computer models to demonstrate Earth systems and their interconnections. Standard: 3.2 Describe the carbon cycle. Standard: 2.2 Describe the effects on the environment and on the carbon cycle of using both renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy. 8 June 2007
Standard: 1.2 Describe the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation and give examples of its impact on life and Earth s systems. Standard: 2.1 Recognize, describe, and compare renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind, water, biomass) and nonrenewable energy resources (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear energy). 9 June 2007
Unit 6 Weathering and Erosion Standard: 3.4 Explain how water flows into and through a watershed. Explain the roles of aquifers, wells, porosity, permeability, water table, and runoff. Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 8-12 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 5-7 Standard: 3.5 Describe the processes of the hydrologic cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff and groundwater percolation, infiltration, and transpiration. Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 8-12 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 5-7 10 June 2007
Standard: 3.1 Explain how physical and chemical weathering leads to erosion and the formation of soils and sediments, and creates various types of landscapes. Give examples that show the effects of physical and chemical weathering on the environment. Lab: Porosity, permeability, capillarity Lab: Mapping Test: Weathering and erosion Describe and distinguish between physical and chemical weathering Understand development of soil horizons Recognize characteristics of types of soils such as porosity, permeability, capillarity Understand the balance between erosional and depositional environments Recognize the features associated with stream development Understand gradient and its relationship to landscape formation Stream evolution Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 8-12 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 5-7 11 June 2007
Unit 7 The Origin and Evolution of the Universe Standard: 4.1 Explain the Big Bang Theory and discuss the evidence that supports it, such as background radiation and relativistic Doppler effect (i.e., red shift ). Test: Astronomy Big Bang Theory Cosmic Background Radiation Doppler Effect (red shift and blue shift) Spectra Stellar evolution H-R diagram Interpret H-R diagram Spectroscopy Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 20-25 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 22-25 12 June 2007
Standard: 4.2 describe the influence of gravity and inertia on the rotation and revolution of orbiting bodies. Explain the Sun-Earth-moon relationships (e.g., day, year, solar/lunar eclipses, tides). Lab: Eccentricity of an ellipse Test: Astronomy Differentiate rotation, revolution and precession Newton s first law led to the discovery of the application of the laws of gravitational attraction between celestial bodies Kepler s three laws of planetary motion Gravitational forces in the Earth-moon-sun system cause the tides Describe the conditions necessary for solar and lunar eclipses Earth, moon, sun demonstrator Tops Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 20-25 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 22-25 Standard: 4.3 Explain how the Sun, Earth, and solar system formed from a nebula of dust and gas in a spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy about 4.6 billion years ago. Report: Small group report on the planets Test: Astronomy Nebula hypothesis Video: Formation of the Solar System Relative size of planets and Sun Spaulding and Namowitz, Earth Science.Chapters 20-25 Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science. Chapters 22-25 13 June 2007