Download Unit: Earth`s Atmosphere To

Unit: Earth’s Atmosphere
To: Course Overview
Length: 40 Days
State Benchmarks
Key Questions / Main Ideas
Concepts/Facts/Skills
8.III.B.
1. The student will define
radiation, conduction and
convection and explain their
effects on weather and
climate.
2. The student will identify the
forces that create currents and
layers in the Earth’s
atmosphere and water
systems.
5. The student will identify the
composition and structures of
the atmosphere.
3. The student will describe the
effect of Earth’s rotation on
the winds and ocean currents
4. The student will collect and
use data to predict the
weather.
Earth’s atmosphere is a
blanket of gasses that
support and protect life.
Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s
energy.
Gasses in the atmosphere absorb
radiation.
Human activities affect the
atmosphere.
Some features of weather have
predictable patterns.
4. The student will collect and
use data to predict the
weather.
The interaction of air masses
causes changes in weather.
The atmosphere’s air pressure
changes.
The atmosphere has wind patterns.
Most clouds form as air rises and
cools.
Water falls to Earth’s surface as
precipitation.
Weather changes as air masses
move.
Low pressure systems can become
storms.
Vertical air motion can cause
severe storms.
Weather forecasters use advanced
technologies.
D:\147035122.doc
Activities / Resources
Earth Science, McDougal Littell,
2006.
Unit 4-Chapter 15
Unit 4-Chapter 16
Unit 4-Chapter 17
revised 6/26/2017
6. The student will describe
climate changes that have
occurred over time.
D:\147035122.doc
Climates are long-term
weather patterns that may
change over time.
Climate is a long-term weather
pattern.
Earth has a variety of climates.
Climates can change suddenly or
slowly.
Unit 4-Chapter 18
revised 6/26/2017