Grade Level Expectations
1.1.A: Objects, and the materials they are made of, have properties that can be used to describe and classify them
1.1.A.a: Compare the densities of regular and irregular objects using their respective measures of volume and mass
Density Experiment: Slice and Dice
Density Laboratory
Density via Comparison
Determining Density via Water Displacement
1.1.A.b: Identify pure substances by their physical and chemical properties (i.e., color, luster/reflectivity, hardness, conductivity, density, pH, melting point, boiling point, specific heat, solubility, phase at room temperature, chemical reactivity)
Density Experiment: Slice and Dice
Density Laboratory
Determining Density via Water Displacement
pH Analysis
pH Analysis: Quad Color Indicator
1.1.A.c: Classify a substance as being made up of one kind of atom (element) or a compound when given the molecular formula or structural formula (or electron dot diagram) for the substance
Covalent Bonds
Dehydration Synthesis
Ionic Bonds
1.1.A.d: Compare and contrast the common properties of metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and noble gases
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
1.1.B: Properties of mixtures depend upon the concentrations, properties, and interactions of particles
1.1.B.a: Classify solutions as dilute, concentrated, or saturated
1.1.B.b: Compare and contrast the properties of acidic, basic, and neutral solutions
pH Analysis
pH Analysis: Quad Color Indicator
1.1.B.c: Predict the effect of the properties of the solvent or solute (e.g., polarity, temperature, surface area/particle size, concentration, agitation) on the solubility of a substance
1.1.D: Physical changes in the state of matter that result from thermal changes can be explained by the Kinetic Theory of Matter
1.1.D.a: Using the Kinetic Theory model, explain the changes that occur in the distance between atoms/molecules and temperature of a substance as energy is absorbed or released during a phase change
Temperature and Particle Motion
1.1.E: The atomic model describes the electrically neutral atom
1.1.E.a: Describe the atom as having a dense, positive nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negative electrons
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Nuclear Decay
1.1.E.b: Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons of an element (or isotopes) given its atomic mass (or mass number) and atomic number
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Ionic Bonds
Nuclear Decay
1.1.E.c: Describe the information provided by the atomic number and the mass number (i.e., electrical charge, chemical stability)
1.1.F: The periodic table organizes the elements according to their atomic structure and chemical reactivity
1.1.F.a: Explain the structure of the periodic table in terms of the elements with common properties (groups/families) and repeating properties (periods)
Electron Configuration
Ionic Bonds
1.1.F.b: Classify elements as metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and noble gases according to their location on the Periodic Table
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
1.1.F.c: Predict the chemical reactivity of elements, and the type of bonds that may result between them, using the Periodic Table
Covalent Bonds
Electron Configuration
Ionic Bonds
1.1.G: Properties of objects and states of matter can change chemically and/or physically
1.1.G.a: Distinguish between physical and chemical changes in matter
Density Experiment: Slice and Dice
Freezing Point of Salt Water
1.1.H: Chemical bonding is the combining of different pure substances (elements, compounds) to form new substances with different properties
1.1.H.a: Describe how the valence electron configuration determines how atoms interact and may bond
Covalent Bonds
Dehydration Synthesis
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Ionic Bonds
1.1.H.b: Predict the reaction rates of different substances based on their properties (i.e., concentrations of reactants, pressure, temperature, state of matter, surface area, type of reactant material)
Collision Theory
Phase Changes
1.1.H.c: Compare and contrast the types of chemical bonds (i.e., ionic, covalent)
1.1.I: Mass is conserved during any physical or chemical change
1.1.I.b: Recognize whether the number of atoms of the reactants and products in a chemical equation are balanced
Balancing Chemical Equations
Chemical Equation Balancing
1.2.A: Forms of energy have a source, a means of transfer (work and heat), and a receiver
1.2.A.a: Differentiate between thermal energy (the total internal energy of a substance which is dependent upon mass), heat (thermal energy that transfers from one object or system to another due to a difference in temperature), and temperature (the measure of average kinetic energy of molecules or atoms in a substance)
Calorimetry Lab
Heat Transfer by Conduction
Relative Humidity
1.2.A.b: Recognize chemical energy as the energy stored in the bonds between atoms in a compound
Covalent Bonds
Dehydration Synthesis
Ionic Bonds
1.2.A.c: Describe the relationship among wavelength, energy, and frequency as illustrated by the electromagnetic spectrum
1.2.A.h: Interpret examples (e.g., land and sea breezes, home heating, plate tectonics) of heat transfer as convection, conduction, or radiation
1.2.B: Mechanical energy comes from the motion (kinetic energy) and/or relative position (potential energy) of an object
1.2.B.a: Relate kinetic energy to an object’s mass and its velocity
Air Track
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
Roller Coaster Physics
Simple Harmonic Motion
1.2.B.b: Relate an object’s gravitational potential energy to its weight and height relative to the surface of the Earth
Beam to Moon (Ratios and Proportions)
Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves
Roller Coaster Physics
1.2.B.c: Distinguish between examples of kinetic and potential energy (i.e., gravitational, elastic) within a system
Air Track
Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
Potential Energy on Shelves
Roller Coaster Physics
Simple Harmonic Motion
1.2.B.d: Describe the effect of work on an object’s kinetic and potential energy
Air Track
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
Potential Energy on Shelves
Roller Coaster Physics
Simple Harmonic Motion
1.2.C: Electromagnetic energy from the Sun (solar radiation) is a major source of energy on Earth
1.2.C.a: Identify stars as producers of electromagnetic energy
1.2.C.b: Describe how electromagnetic energy is transferred through space as electromagnetic waves (radiating charged particles) of varying wavelength and frequency
1.2.D: Chemical reactions involve changes in the bonding of atoms with the release or absorption of energy
1.2.D.a: Describe evidence of energy transfer and transformations that occur during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions
1.2.E: Nuclear energy is a major source of energy throughout the universe
1.2.E.a: Describe how changes in the nucleus of an atom during a nuclear reaction (i.e., nuclear decay, fusion, fission) result in emission of radiation
1.2.F: Energy can change from one form to another within systems, but the total amount remains the same
1.2.F.a: Describe the transformations that occur as energy changes from kinetic to potential within a system (e.g., car moving on rollercoaster track, child swinging, diver jumping off a board) (Do NOT assess calculations)
Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
Roller Coaster Physics
Simple Harmonic Motion
1.2.F.b: Compare the efficiency of simple machines (recognizing that, as work is done, the amount of usable energy decreases with each transformation as it is transferred as heat due to friction)
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Pulley Lab
Torque and Moment of Inertia
1.2.F.c: Classify the different forms of energy (i.e., chemical, nuclear, thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic) that can be observed as energy is transferred and transformed within a system when given a scenario (e.g., dynamite explosion, solar radiation interacting with the Earth, electromagnetic motor doing work, energy generated by nuclear reactor)
Energy Conversion in a System
Nuclear Decay
1.2.F.d: Explain how energy can be transferred (absorbed or released) or transformed between and within systems as the total amount of energy remains constant (i.e., Law of Conservation of Energy)
Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
2.1.A: The motion of an object is described as a change in position, direction, and speed relative to another object (frame of reference
2.1.A.a: Represent and analyze the motion of an object graphically
Distance-Time Graphs
Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs
Fan Cart Physics
2.1.A.c: Calculate the speed of objects (speed = distance/time)
Distance-Time Graphs
Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs
Uniform Circular Motion
2.1.B: An object that is accelerating is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction
2.1.B.a: Measure and analyze an object’s motion in terms of speed, velocity, and acceleration
Distance-Time Graphs
Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs
Fan Cart Physics
Freefall Laboratory
2.1.B.b: Calculate the acceleration of an object (final velocity-starting velocity/time)
Fan Cart Physics
Freefall Laboratory
Uniform Circular Motion
2.1.C: Momentum depends on the mass of the object and the velocity with which it is traveling
2.1.C.a: Compare the momentum of two objects in terms of mass and velocity (Do NOT assess calculations)
2D Collisions
Air Track
Roller Coaster Physics
Uniform Circular Motion
2.1.C.b: Explain that the total momentum remains constant within a system
2.2.A: Forces are classified as either contact (pushes, pulls, friction, buoyancy) or non-contact forces (gravity, magnetism), that can be described in terms of direction and magnitude
2.2.A.a: Identify and describe the forces acting on an object (i.e., type of force, direction, magnitude in Newtons)
2.2.B: Every object exerts a gravitational force on every other object
2.2.B.a: Describe gravity as an attractive force among all objects
2.2.B.b: Compare and describe the gravitational forces between two objects in terms of their masses and the distances between them
Gravitational Force
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.B.c: Describe weight in terms of the force of a planet’s or moon’s gravity acting on a given mass
Beam to Moon (Ratios and Proportions)
Freefall Laboratory
2.2.B.d: Recognize all free-falling bodies accelerate at the same rate due to gravity regardless of their mass
Atwood Machine
Freefall Laboratory
Golf Range!
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
2.2.C: Magnetic forces are related to electrical forces as different aspects of a single electromagnetic force
2.2.C.b: Predict the effects of an electromagnetic force on the motion of objects (attract or repel)
Coulomb Force (Static)
Pith Ball Lab
2.2.D: Newton's Laws of Motion explain the interaction of mass and forces, and are used to predict changes in motion
2.2.D.a: Recognize that inertia is a property of matter that can be described as an object’s tendency to resist a change in motion, and is dependent upon the object’s mass (Newton’s First Law of Motion)
2D Collisions
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.D.b: Describe the effect of a change in mass of an object on the inertia of that object (Newton’s First Law of Motion)
2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Period of Mass on a Spring
Period of a Pendulum
Simple Harmonic Motion
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.D.c: Using information about the mass and acceleration of two objects, compare the forces required to move them (force = mass x acceleration) (Newton’s Second Law of Motion)
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Freefall Laboratory
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.D.d: Identify forces acting on a falling object and the factors that affect the rate of fall (i.e., mass, volume, shape, or type of material from which the object is made)
Density Experiment: Slice and Dice
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.D.e: Determine the overall effect (i.e., direction and magnitude) of forces acting on an object at the same time (i.e., net force)
Atwood Machine
Coulomb Force (Static)
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Pith Ball Lab
2.2.D.f: Predict and explain the effect of a change in force and/or mass on the motion of an object (Newton’s Second Law of Motion)
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
2.2.D.g: Analyze action/reaction forces acting between two objects (e.g., handball hits concrete wall, shotgun firing) and describe their magnitude and direction (Newton’s Third Law of Motion)
2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.D.h: Predict the change in motion of one object when it is acted upon by the equal and opposite force of another object (i.e., action/reaction forces) (Newton’s Third Law of Motion)
2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Uniform Circular Motion
2.2.E: Perpendicular forces act independently of each other
2.2.E.a: Describe the force(s) that keep an object traveling in a circular path
2.2.E.b: Describe the force(s) acting on a projectile on the Earth
2.2.F: Simple machines (levers, inclined planes, wheel and axle, pulleys) affect the force applied to an object and/or direction of movement as work is done
2.2.F.a: Describe the relationships between work, applied net force, and the distance an object moves
Atwood Machine
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Pulley Lab
2.2.F.b: Explain how the efficiency of machines can be expressed as a ratio of work output to work input
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
2.2.F.d: Analyze and describe the relationship among work, power, and efficiency
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
3.1.C: Cells are the fundamental units of structure and function of all living things
3.1.C.a: Recognize all organisms are composed of cells, the fundamental units of life
Cell Structure
Paramecium Homeostasis
3.1.C.b: Describe the structure of cell parts (e.g., cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplast, mitochondrion, ribosomes, vacuole) found in different types of cells (e.g., bacterial, plant, skin, nerve, blood, muscle) and the functions they perform (e.g., structural support, transport of materials, storage of genetic information, photosynthesis and respiration, synthesis of new molecules, waste disposal) that are necessary to the survival of the cell and organism
Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Paramecium Homeostasis
Photosynthesis Lab
RNA and Protein Synthesis
3.1.E: Biological classifications are based on how organisms are related
3.1.E.b: Explain how and why the classification of any taxon might change as more is learned about the organisms assigned to that taxon
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
3.2.A: The cell contains a set of structures called organelles that interact to carry out life processes through physical and chemical means
3.2.A.a: Compare and contrast the structure and function of mitochondria and chloroplasts
Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Photosynthesis Lab
3.2.A.b: Compare and contrast the structure and function of cell wall and cell membranes
3.2.A.c: Explain physical and chemical interactions that occur between organelles as they carry out life processes
Cell Structure
Paramecium Homeostasis
3.2.B: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary processes necessary to the survival of most organisms on Earth
3.2.B.a: Compare and contrast photosynthesis and cellular respiration reactions (Do NOT assess intermediate reactions)
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
3.2.B.b: Explain the interrelationship between the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
3.2.B.c: Determine what factors affect the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration (i.e., light intensity, availability of reactants, temperature)
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
3.2.D: Cells carry out chemical transformations that use energy for the synthesis or breakdown of organic compounds
3.2.D.a: Summarize how energy transfer occurs during photosynthesis and cellular respiration (i.e., the storage and release of energy in the bonds of chemical compounds)
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
3.2.E: Protein structure and function are coded by the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule
3.2.E.a: Explain how the DNA code determines the sequence of amino acids necessary for protein synthesis
3.2.F: Cellular activities and responses can maintain stability internally while external conditions are changing (homeostasis)
3.2.F.a: Explain the significance of semi-permeability to the transport of molecules across cellular membranes
3.2.F.b: Predict the movement of molecules needed for a cell to maintain homeostasis, given concentration gradients of different sizes of molecules
Human Homeostasis
Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis
3.2.F.c: Relate the role of diffusion, osmosis, and active transport to the movement of molecules across semi-permeable membranes
3.2.F.d: Explain how water is important to cells (e.g., is a buffer for body temperature, provides soluble environment for chemical reactions, serves as a reactant in chemical reactions, provides hydration that maintains cell turgidity, maintains protein shape)
Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Photosynthesis Lab
3.3.A: Reproduction can occur asexually or sexually
3.3.A.a: Distinguish between asexual (i.e., binary fission, budding, cloning) and sexual reproduction
3.3.B: All living organisms have genetic material (DNA) that carries hereditary information
3.3.B.a: Describe the chemical and structural properties of DNA (e.g., DNA is a large polymer formed from linked subunits of four kinds of nitrogen bases; genetic information is encoded in genes based on the sequence of subunits; each DNA molecule in a cell forms a single chromosome) (Assess the concepts – NOT memorization of nitrogen base pairs)
Building DNA
RNA and Protein Synthesis
3.3.B.d: Explain how an error in the DNA molecule (mutation) can be transferred during replication
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
3.3.B.e: Identify possible external causes (e.g., heat, radiation, certain chemicals) and effects of DNA mutations (e.g., protein defects which affect chemical reactions, structural deformities)
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
3.3.C: Chromosomes are components of cells that occur in pairs and carry hereditary information from one cell to daughter cells and from parent to offspring during reproduction
3.3.C.a: Recognize the chromosomes of daughter cells, formed through the processes of asexual reproduction and mitosis, the formation of somatic (body) cells in multicellular organisms, are identical to the chromosomes of the parent cell
3.3.C.c: Explain how fertilization restores the diploid number of chromosomes
3.3.C.d: Identify the implications of human sex chromosomes for sex determination
3.3.D: There is heritable variation within every species of organism
3.3.D.a: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction with regard to variation within a population
3.3.D.b: Describe how genes can be altered and combined to create genetic variation within a species (e.g., mutation, recombination of genes)
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
3.3.D.c: Recognize that new heritable characteristics can only result from new combinations of existing genes or from mutations of genes in an organism’s sex cells
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
3.3.E: The pattern of inheritance for many traits can be predicted by using the principles of Mendelian genetics
3.3.E.a: Explain how genotypes (heterozygous and homozygous) contribute to phenotypic variation within a species
Chicken Genetics
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)
3.3.E.b: Predict the probability of the occurrence of specific traits, including sex-linked traits, in an offspring by using a monohybrid cross
Chicken Genetics
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)
3.3.E.c: Explain how sex-linked traits may or may not result in the expression of a genetic disorder (e.g., hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, color blindness) depending on gender
4.1.A: All populations living together within a community interact with one another and with their environment in order to survive and maintain a balanced ecosystem
4.1.A.a: Explain the nature of interactions between organisms in different symbiotic relationships (i.e., mutualism, commensalism, parasitism)
Food Chain
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
4.1.A.b: Explain how cooperative (e.g., symbiosis) and competitive (e.g., predator/prey) relationships help maintain balance within an ecosystem
4.1.A.c: Explain why no two species can occupy the same niche in a community
Food Chain
Rabbit Population by Season
4.1.B: Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite size, but environments and resources are finite
4.1.B.a: Identify and explain the limiting factors that may affect the carrying capacity of a population within an ecosystem
Food Chain
Rabbit Population by Season
4.1.B.b: Predict how populations within an ecosystem change in number and/or structure in response to hypothesized changes in biotic and/or abiotic factors
Food Chain
Rabbit Population by Season
4.1.C: All organisms, including humans, and their activities cause changes in their environment that affect the ecosystem
4.1.C.b: Predict and explain how natural or human caused changes (biological, chemical and/or physical) in one ecosystem may affect other ecosystems due to natural mechanisms (e.g., global wind patterns, water cycle, ocean currents)
Rabbit Population by Season
Water Cycle
4.2.A: As energy flows through the ecosystem, all organisms capture a portion of that energy and transform it to a form they can use
4.2.A.a: Illustrate and describe the flow of energy within a food web
4.2.A.b: Explain why there are generally more producers than consumers in an energy pyramid
4.2.B: Matter is recycled through an ecosystem
4.2.B.a: Explain the processes involved in the recycling of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon through an ecosystem
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
4.2.B.b: Explain the importance of the recycling of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon within an ecosystem
Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab
4.3.A: Evidence for the nature and rates of evolution can be found in anatomical and molecular characteristics of organisms and in the fossil record
4.3.A.a: Interpret fossil evidence to explain the relatedness of organisms using the principles of superposition and fossil correlation
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
4.3.A.b: Evaluate the evidence that supports the theory of biological evolution (e.g., fossil records, similarities between DNA and protein structures, similarities between developmental stages of organisms, homologous and vestigial structures)
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
4.3.B: Reproduction is essential to the continuation of every species
4.3.B.a: Define a species in terms of the ability to breed and produce fertile offspring
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
4.3.B.b: Explain the importance of reproduction to the survival of a species (i.e., the failure of a species to reproduce will lead to extinction of that species)
4.3.C: Natural selection is the process of sorting individuals based on their ability to survive and reproduce within their ecosystem
4.3.C.a: Describe how variation in characteristics provides populations an advantage for survival
4.3.C.b: Identify examples of adaptations that may have resulted from variations favored by natural selection (e.g., long-necked giraffes, long-eared jack rabbits)
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks
4.3.C.c: Explain how genetic homogeneity may cause a population to be more susceptible to extinction (e.g., succumbing to a disease for which there is no natural resistance)
4.3.C.d: Explain how environmental factors (e.g., habitat loss, climate change, pollution, introduction of non-native species) can be agents of natural selection
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
5.1.D: Climate is a description of average weather conditions in a given area over time
5.1.D.b: Explain how climate and weather patterns in a particular region are affected by factors, such as proximity to large bodies of water or ice/ocean currents, latitude, altitude, prevailing wind currents, and amount of solar radiation
5.2.A: The Earth's materials and surface features are changed through a variety of external processes
5.2.A.b: Describe the factors that affect rates of weathering and erosion of landforms (e.g., soil/rock type, amount and force of run-off, slope)
5.2.B: There are internal processes and sources of energy within the geosphere that cause changes in Earth's crustal plates
5.2.B.a: Describe the internal source of energy on Earth that results in uneven heating of the mantle (i.e., decay of radioactive isotopes)
5.2.B.b: Illustrate and explain the convection currents that result from the uneven heating inside the mantle and cause movement of crustal plates
5.2.B.c: Describe how the energy of an earthquake travels as seismic waves and provides evidence for the layers of the geosphere
Earthquake - Determination of Epicenter
Earthquake - Recording Station
5.2.B.d: Relate the densities of the materials found in continental and oceanic plates to the processes that result in each type of plate boundary (i.e., diverging, converging, transform)
5.2.B.e: Describe the effects of the movement of crustal plates (i.e., earthquakes, sea floor spreading, mountain building, volcanic eruptions) at a given location on the planet
5.2.B.f: Articulate the processes involved in the Theory of Plate Tectonics (i.e., uneven heating of the mantle due to the decay of radioactive isotopes, movement of materials via convection currents, movement of continental and oceanic plates along diverging, converging, or transform plate boundaries) and describe evidence that supports that theory (e.g., correlation of rock sequences, landforms, and fossils; presence of intrusions and faults; evidence of sea-floor spreading)
5.2.D: Changes in the Earth over time can be inferred through rock and fossil evidence
5.2.D.a: Use evidence from relative and real dating techniques (e.g., correlation of trace fossils, landforms, and rock sequences; evidence of climate changes; presence of intrusions and faults; magnetic orientation; relative age of drill samples)) to infer geologic history
5.2.F: Constantly changing properties of the atmosphere occur in patterns which are described as weather
5.2.F.a: Predict the weather at a designated location using weather maps (including map legends) and/or weather data (e.g., temperature, barometric pressure, cloud cover and type, wind speed and direction, precipitation)
5.2.F.b: Discover and evaluate patterns and relationships in the causes of weather phenomena and regional climates (e.g., circulation of air and water around the Earth, movement of global winds and water cycles due to solar radiation)
Coastal Winds and Clouds
Weather Maps
5.2.G: The geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are continually interacting through processes that transfer energy and Earth's materials
5.2.G.a: Explain how global wind and ocean currents are produced on the Earth’s surface (e.g., effects of unequal heating of the Earth’s land masses, oceans, and air by the Sun due to latitude and surface material type; effects of gravitational forces acting on layers of air of different densities due to temperature differences; effects of the rotation of the Earth; effects of surface topography)
Coastal Winds and Clouds
Tides
5.3.A: Earth's materials are limited natural resources affected by human activity
5.3.A.c: Identify human activities that adversely affect the composition of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, or geosphere
6.1.A: The Earth, Sun, and moon are part of a larger system that includes other planets and smaller celestial bodies
6.1.A.a: Describe and relate the positions and motions of the Sun-Earth solar system, the Milky-Way galaxy, and other galaxies within the universe (i.e., it is just one of several solar systems orbiting the center of a rotating spiral galaxy; that spiral galaxy is just one of many galaxies which orbit a common center of gravity; the expanding universe causes the distance between galaxies to increase)
6.1.B: The Earth has a composition and location suitable to sustain life
6.1.B.a: Explain how Earth’s environmental characteristics and location in the universe (e.g., atmosphere, temperature, orbital path, magnetic field, mass-gravity, location in solar system) provide a life-supporting environment
6.1.B.b: Compare the environmental characteristics and location in the universe of Earth and other celestial bodies (e.g., planets, moons) to determine ability to support life
6.1.C: Most of the information we know about the universe comes from the electromagnetic spectrum
6.1.C.a: Identify information that the electromagnetic spectrum provides about the stars and the universe (e.g., chemical composition, temperature, age of stars, location of black holes, motion of celestial bodies)
H-R Diagram
Herschel Experiment
6.2.C: The regular and predictable motions of the Earth and moon relative to the Sun explain natural phenomena on Earth, such as day, month, year, shadows, moon phases, eclipses, tides, and seasons
6.2.C.a: Relate units of time (i.e., day, month, year) to the regular and predictable motion of the planets and moons and their positions in the Solar system
6.2.C.b: Explain seasonal phenomena (i.e., weather, length of day, temperature, intensity of sunlight) as a consequence of a planet’s axial tilt as it rotates and a planet’s orbital position as it revolves around the Sun
Seasons Around the World
Seasons in 3D
Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Seasons: Why do we have them?
6.2.C.c: Provide evidence that can be observed from Earth that supports the fact Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun
Seasons Around the World
Seasons in 3D
Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Seasons: Why do we have them?
6.2.C.d: Predict the moon rise/set times, phases of the moon, and/or eclipses when given the relative positions of the moon, planet, and Sun
Moon Phases
Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases
6.2.C.e: Explain how the gravitational forces, due to the relative positions of a planet, moon, and Sun, determine the height and frequency of tides
Gravitational Force
Orbital Motion - Kepler's Laws
Tides
6.2.D: Gravity is a force of attraction between objects in the solar system that governs their motion
6.2.D.a: Explain orbital motions of moons around planets, and planets around the Sun, as the result of gravitational forces between those objects
Orbital Motion - Kepler's Laws
Solar System Explorer
Correlation last revised: 3/14/2010