Download Unit B: Earth Systems

Unit B: Earth Systems
Standards Addressed
During Unit
Overview
Students extend their understanding of environmental science as they learn about the
interactions of the earth’s systems. Students study how the geosphere, hydrosphere, and
atmosphere all work together to provide suitable conditions for life on earth. Students should
be able to make relevant learning connections and relate it back to life. Students understand
and practice safe research practices in the classroom as they are engaged in laboratory
investigations.
SC.912.L.17.10
SC.912.E.7.8
SC.912.E.7.9
Fundamental Skills:
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Background information on the earth’s systems
Familiarity with interactions on earth
Science laboratory safety practices
Coherence
Prior Learning Experiences:
Students should be familiar with the theory of plate tectonics and the difference between matter and energy.
Highlighted Nature
of Science Standards
SC.912.N.1.1
Unit B: Earth Systems
Unpacking the Standards: What do we want students to Know, Understand and Do (KUD)
Unit B: Earth Systems
Unit Essential Question: How are the earth’s systems interconnected?
Standard: Standard: SC.912.L.17.10 Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an ecosystem, including water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle.
SC.912.E.7.8 Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence human behavior, both individually and
collectively.
SC.912.E.7.9 Cite evidence that the ocean has had a significant influence on climate change by absorbing, storing, and moving heat, carbon, and water.
Understand
“Essential understandings,” or generalizations, represent ideas that are transferable to other contexts.
The earth is an integrated system consisting of four interacting components- geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and the biosphere.
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Know
Do
Declarative knowledge: Facts, vocabulary, information.
Procedural knowledge: Skills, strategies & processes that are transferrable to other
contexts.
The earth is composed of layers. The surface is made up of
plates and the movement of the plates causes the features of
the surface.
The composition of the atmosphere is responsible for heat
transfers and the earth is warm enough for life.
The ocean regulates the earth’s temperature.
The continuous movement of water into the air, onto the land
and then back to water sources drives the climate and
therefore human behavior.
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Relate the theory of plate tectonics to earthquakes, volcanoes,
and climate change.
Analyze the composition of the atmosphere and relate the
layers to the temperature changes per level.
Compare the three ways that energy is transferred in the
atmosphere
Explain how various oceanic conditions in Florida have
influenced and can influence human behavior, both
individually and collectively.
Explain how various hydrologic conditions in Florida have
influenced and can influence human behavior, both
individually and collectively.
Performance Task:
The teacher should prepare examples of alterations in the spheres and have students predict the immediate and long-term effects
of this change. For example, an antibiotic kills all of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria or instead of photosynthesis using carbon dioxide
and producing oxygen, it uses nitrogen and produces oxygen. What are the immediate and long-term effects of this change?
Concept:
SC.912.E.7.8 Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence human behavior, both individually
and collectively.
Scale
Performance Tasks
Score 4.0
In addition to 3.0, in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond
what was taught, I can:
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Explain how the local climate conditions affect Earth’s spheres
and how this can influence human behavior.
Score 3.5
I can do everything at a 3.0, and I can demonstrate partial success at score 4.0.
Score 3.0
I can:
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Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic
conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence human
behavior, both individually and collectively. STANDARD
SC.912.E.7.8)
Explain how various climate conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence
human behavior, both individually and collectively
Explain how various hydrologic conditions in have influenced and can influence human
behavior, both individually and collectively
Explain how various oceanic conditions have influenced and can influence human
behavior, both individually and collectively.
The student exhibits no major errors or omissions.
Score 2.5
I can do everything at a 2.0, and I can demonstrate partial success at score 3.0.
Score 2.0
I can:
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Analyze the composition of the atmosphere and relate the
layers to the temperature changes per level.
Compare the three ways that energy is transferred in the
atmosphere
Describe a feedback loop found in everyday life.
Make a chart to compare the three ways energy can be transferred.
There are no major errors or omission regarding the simpler details and
processes; however, the student exhibits major errors or omissions
regarding the more complex ideas and processes.
Score 1.5
I can do everything at a 1.0, and I can demonstrate partial success at score 2.0.
Score 1.0
I can:
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Relate the theory of plate tectonics to earthquakes, volcanoes,
and climate change.
Define terms.
With help, the student has a partial understanding of some of the
simpler details and processes and some of the more complex ideas and
processes.
Make a cause and effect chart to explain how plate tectonics can trigger earthquakes,
the formation of volcanoes, and contribute to climate change.
Key Learning: The earth is an integrated system consisting of four interacting components: geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
Concept 1: Geosphere
Driving Questions:
SC.912.L.17.10Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an How does plate movement shape the earth’s
ecosystem, including water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle.
surface?w does an object’s state of matt
depend on its
Sample Formative Assessment:
 Explain how the processes of plate
tectonics affect the types of plants and
animals that can live in an area
Student Investigations:
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Life/nitr
ogen_cycle.html
Vocabulary
crust, mantle, core, lithosphere, asthenosphere,
tectonic plate
Resources
Student Text:
Pearson Chapter 3
Plate Tectonics article
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/plate-tectonicsjust-stage-earth%E2%80%99s-life-cycle?tgt=nr
Volcanic Activity story
https://www.storybehindthescience.org/geology.html
Coastal Blue Carbon- Article, Text Dependent Ques.
The text describes different ecosystems that store carbon, like
forests, and goes into how carbon is stored more efficiently in
coastal ecosystems. The text goes on to advocate for
conserving and protecting our coastal ecosystems to keep the
carbon stored and prevent the carbon from being released into
the atmosphere to further impact the planet through climate
change. The text also explores other benefits for conserving
coastal ecosystems.
Student Misconceptions:
T
Deeper Learning Opportunities:
Environmental Science by FASA
https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/environment
al-science/id1043696664
Concept 2: Atmosphere
Driving Questions:
SC.912.E.7.8Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and
How does the composition of the atmosphere
hydrologic conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence
human behavior, both individually and collectively.
make life on earth possible?ate of matter
SC.912.L.17.10
Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an ecosystem,
including water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle.
Sample Formative Assessment:
 Describe how humans interact with three
of Earth's spheres.
depend on its kinetic energy?
Student Investigations:
http://www.airnow.gov
Vocabulary
atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, ozone,
radiation, conduction, convection, greenhouse effect
Resources
Student Text:
Pearson Chapter 3
27 Storms: Arlene to Zeta-2005 Hurricane Season in
the Atlantic
Student Misconceptions:
Deeper Learning Opportunities:
Environmental Science by FASA
https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/environment
al-science/id1043696664
The Habitable Planet Full Professional
Development Guide- The Atmosphere
https://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit
/pdfs/unit2.pdf
Concept 3: Hydrosphere
Driving Questions:
SC.912.E.7.9Cite evidence that the ocean has had a significant
What influences does water have on the earth’s
influence on climate change by absorbing, storing, and moving heat,
carbon, and water.
environment and climate?its kinetic energy?
SC.912.L.17.10
Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an ecosystem,
including water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle.
Sample Formative Assessment:
 Describe one of the unusual properties of
water and explain why this property it is
important for life.
 Which three spheres of Earth do humans
interact most with? Explain your
reasoning.
Student Investigations:
Hydrologic Cycle Models
Vocabulary
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/
water cycle, evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, salinity, fresh water
Resources
Student Text:
Pearson Chapter 3
Student Misconceptions:
Deeper Learning Opportunities:
Environmental Science by FASA
https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/environme
ntal-science/id1043696664