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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
EARTH SCIENCE
Grades 11-12+
Credits: 5
ABSTRACT
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In Grades 11 and 12 , the Life Skills Science program is based upon modified curricula and alternative instructional
approaches. The Earth Science curriculum for Grades 11 and 12+ will enable the student to recognize that magnetism is a
fundamental force of nature and that movement of stars and planets within the solar system influences life systems on
Earth. Students will understand that properties of rocks, minerals and soil reflect the processes that formed them. Students
will understand that erosion can break down land forms. The student will appreciate that the water cycle plays a role in the
formation of clouds.
BOE approved 02/04/2014
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Grade and Course
Grades 11 & 12+ Life Skills Science
Unit of Study
Earth Science
Description of Unit
Students will understand that:
• The motion of the sun, Earth and moon follow regular patterns
• The components of our Solar System move and interact with one another.
• The sun is a star and that all other objects in the Solar System revolve it.
• The water cycle plays a role in formation of clouds
• Material taken from the Earth (rocks, sand and soil) are used in our daily lives.
• The two basic types of materials are natural and man-made
• The four types of erosion can break down land forms
Unit Essential Questions
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How do the motions of Earth and our moon affect our lives
What is a star?
What is in the sky?
What are the visible phases of the moon?
How can one predict weather based on the cloud type?
What are the natural materials/resources used in our daily lives?
What are the causes of erosion?
Unit Objective
Students will be able to recognize that magnetism is a fundamental force of nature and that movement within the solar system influences life systems on Earth.
Students will be able to understand that the properties of rocks, minerals and soil reflect the processes that formed them.
Content Standards
ELA-Literacy. RST. 11-12.2, ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.3, ELA-Literacy.RST11-12.3, ELA.Literacy.RST.11-12.4, ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.5, ELALiteracy.RST.11-12.6. ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.7. ELA-Litereacy.RST.11-12.8
Suggested Time Frame
The suggested instruction time for these topics is 20 weeks. However, content is not expected to be mastered in a set time frame and are revisited and reinforced
throughout the school year. The topics are taught in grades 11-12+; therefore suggested time frames can be changed as needed.
Suggested Unit Activities
General Activities
1. Identify Earth and the moon
2. Demonstrate how the moon orbits the Earth
3. Demonstrate how the Earth revolves around the sun
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Show the order of the planets from the one closest to the sun to the one farthest from the sun
Identify the sun and the moon
Contrast the visibility of sun and the moon
Explain that groups of stars from constellations and locate some of the more familiar constellations
Discuss likenesses and differences among the planets
Demonstrate how the water cycle” picks up and drops off “ water by making a poster
Compare different types of soils
Define a natural resource
12. Demonstrate how water, air, etc. erode rocks, sand and soil
13. Label layers of the earth
Specific Activities
1. Learn the order of the planets using mnemonics. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas
2. Encourage students to create silly sentences to remember the order of the planets.
3. Read The Magic School Bus Lost in Space . Then have students write a story about our class becoming lost in our solar system and having an astronomical
adventure.
4. Read some collections of poems about the planets, astronauts and mysteries of space. After reading these aloud, encourage class to write a poem that
celebrates space.
5. Pretend you are a reporter for a newspaper, write an article for your paper. Use a catchy headline; add interesting details from your research. Share stories
with the class.
6. Make up a guessing game. Read clues about “your’” planet and see if others can guess the name of the planet.
7. Using different sized balls, demonstrate how the Earth revolves around the sun and how Earth rotates on its axis. Demonstrate how the moon revolves
around Earth.
8. Gather objects such as a golf ball, walnut, tennis ball, golf ball, etc. to compare/contrast the differences in size of the planets using ordinary objects.
9. Compare the sizes of the planets using a Venn diagram. Show how they are alike and how they are different.
10. Show makemegenius.com videos on the Solar System. Retell main points
11. Share some interesting facts about the planets; one example might be how some of them got their names or another interesting fact might be about why one
cannot see the rings on Saturn.
12. Give handout with chart listing planet name, what it is made of, distance in miles from the sun, diameter in miles, high temperature, how many moons,
revolution in Earth time, and rotation in Earth time. Read over with the students, clarifying any information for them. Students complete questions at bottom
of chart.
13. Create a paper mache model or a mobile of the solar system. Compare sizes and colors of planets.
14. Assign several planets to students. Have them research the planets’ names in books about Greek/ Roman mythology. Write a mini report about the
mythological character about whom the planet was named.
15. Have student determine weight on different planets by using surface gravities on list provided by teacher.
16. Brainstorm words associated with the word “star”. Explain that some of these are true and some are not. The twinkling edges are just how we see them from
Earth. Discuss how stars are living things ----they are born and they die. Discuss cycle by completing an activity in which students match picture to written
description.
17. Field trip to planetarium in Newark Museum. Draw conclusions about what might happen to old stars.
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
18. Use a starfinder at home to observe stars and constellations. Select a constellation and retell the story of how it got its name.
19. Hand out dotted pictures of common constellations with brief description of each. Hand out picture of Earth” filled” with dots. Try to connect dots to look
like the various constellations. (lessons to got 4)
20. Incorporate poetry in study of stars. Write a concrete poem (shows word, phrases or sentences in shape of a particular topic) about what he/she learned about
stars.
21. Give background information about layers of the Earth. Use a peach to show the layers. Cut peach in half, leaving pit inside. Relate parts of peach to three
main layers of Earth. Distribute handout showing diagram of Earth’s layers. Have students label parts. Have students answer “layer” questions in complete
sentences.
22. Create an acrostic poem using letters C R U S T
23. Challenge student to predict what will happen when water is sprinkled over a mound of soil. List predictions. Complete experiment and describe what
happened. Change criteria (add grass; add heavier water; add wind etc.) and follow same procedures.
24. Make edible sedimentary rocks. Share the edible treats while discussing how sedimentary rocks form in layers.
Suggested Unit Assessments
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Teacher observation
Anecdotal records
Performance/participation in various class activities
Smartboard activities
Projects/presentations
Use of whiteboards
Paper and pencil quizzes
Worksheets
Questions and answers
Open ended responses
Laboratory activities
Suggested Unit Resources
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www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST 11-12
Ready to Go Lessons
Lessonplanet.com
Scholastic.com
Youtube.com
Brainpop.com
Quaia.com
Enchantedlearning.com
Proteacher.org
Superteacher.org
Edhelper.com
Time for Kids
Discoveryeducation.com
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
14. National Geographic for Kids
15. Scholastic News
16. Teachersdomain.org
17. Science in a Box