Download J.T. Reddick Middle School 6th Grade Earth Science Course

J.T. Reddick Middle School 6th Grade Earth Science Course Syllabus 2014-2015
Course: Unit 5 “Weather and Climate”
Textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer – Georgia Earth Science (pages 392, 398-402, 404, 414-424,
432-464, and 472-479)
Unit Overview:
Meteorology is the study of the atmospheric conditions and weather in an area and how to forecast it. In this unit, students will
investigate the interaction of certain atmospheric conditions and the effects they have on weather and climate. Weather factors
influencing weather on a daily basis as well as overall climate patterns include air pressure, moisture (humidity), temperature, and wind.
Students will understand the patterns of change and constancy in the Earth's atmosphere and climate, local and global wind systems,
heat (energy) transfer, moisture (humidity) content, weather patterns and predictions. In addition, students will take what they’ve
learned about currents (in unit 4) and explain how heat energy carried by ocean currents influence climate around the world.
Standards:
S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the earth, moon and sun.
c. Relate the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout the year and its effect on climate.
S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.
a. Demonstrate that land and water absorb and lose heat at different rates and explain the resulting effects on weather patterns.
b. Relate unequal heating of land and water surfaces to form large global wind systems and weather events such as tornados and
thunderstorms.
c. Relate how moisture evaporating from the oceans affects the weather patterns and weather events such as hurricanes.
S6E6. Students will describe various sources of energy and with their uses and conservation.
a. Explain the role of the sun as the major source of energy and its relationship to wind and water energy.
Objectives (What are OUR goals, and what will YOU learn in this unit?):
1. Describe weather.
2. Identify and describe the four main factors that influence weather.
3. Explain how the sun influences weather.
4. Describe the three types of heat transfer, and explain how they influence weather.
5. Discuss the difference between humidity and relative humidity.
6. Describe dew point and the process that happens at that temperature.
7. Identify the three basic cloud types, and the type of weather associated with each.
8. Investigate properties of air (density and air pressure).
9. Explain the causes of winds on the Earth.
10. Compare, contrast, and illustrate (draw) land breezes and sea breezes.
11. Describe the Coriolis Effect.
12. Explain how the Coriolis Effect and the unequal heating of the Earth affect the global wind systems.
13. Be able to identify, define, and describe different types of air masses.
14. Explain how air masses create fronts.
15. Identify and briefly describe the different types of fronts.
16. Describe the weather associated with a cold front and warm front.
17. Explain the causes and characteristics of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
18. Compare and contrast weather and climate.
19. Explain the effects of currents on climate around the world.
Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Projects)

Weekly Vocabulary Quiz (Formative)

Concept Quiz “Weather Factors” (Formative)

Concept Quiz “Air Masses and Fronts” (Formative)

Concept Quiz “Weather and Climate” (Formative)

Unit 5 Summative Test (Summative)

Unit 5 Culminating Project (Summative) – Weather Broadcast Group Project
Vocabulary:
weather
air pressure
dew point
humidity
relative humidity
sea breeze
land breeze
global wind system
Coriolis effect
trade winds
prevailing westerlies
polar easterlies
doldrums
jet stream
air mass front
cold front
warm front
tornado
hurricane
climate