Earth Science Curriculum

Science Inquiry

• Understand and apply the scientific method to explore natural phenomena, including asking questions, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

• Develop skills in observing, measuring, and using scientific tools and technologies.

Science Inquiry (2 weeks)

• Investigation (2 days)

• Lab Safety, Describing & Explaining (1 day)

• Analyzing Data, Observing, Inferences, Evidence (2 days)

• Scientific Math, Graphing Independent & Dependent Variables (2 days)

Atoms and Ions

• Identify the basic structure of atoms and the role of electrons, protons, and neutrons.

• Understand the formation of ions through the gain or loss of electrons and their importance in chemical reactions.

Atoms, Elements, Compounds, Reactions (4 weeks)

• Atoms and Parts of Atoms (1-2 days)

• Diagrams of Atoms (Bohr & Electron Cloud) (1 day)

• Periodic Tables (1-2 days)

• Ions, Isotopes and Valence Electrons (1 day)

• Atoms To Elements to Molecules (1-2 days)

• Physical and Chemical Properties (2 day)

• Law of Conservation of Matter (2 day)

• Physical and Chemical Change (2 day)

• Chemical Equationsà Reactants and Products (2 days)

• Rate of Chemical Change (2 day)

• Exothermic and Endothermic (2 day)

• Law of Conservation of Mass (1 day)

Minerals, Rocks, Soil

• Classify minerals and rocks based on their properties and formation processes.

• Analyze the composition and structure of different types of soil and their roles in supporting ecosystems.

Minerals, Rocks, and Soil (3 weeks)

• Chemistry in Minerals, Physical Properties (2 days)

• Rocks, Three Types (1 day)

• Rock Cycle (2 days)

• Weathering and Soil (2 days)

• Soil Horizons (1 day)

• Erosion and Deposition (2 days)

Fossils and Geological Dating

• Understand the formation of fossils and what they can tell us about Earth's past life and environments.

• Learn about different methods of geological dating and their use in determining the age of Earth materials.

Fossils and Geological Timelines (2 weeks)

• Fossils, Types of Preservation (2 days)

• Dating the Earth (Absolute and Relative Age Dating (2 days)

• Geological Timelines (2 days)

Earth’s Forces

• Investigate the forces that shape Earth's surface, including erosion, weathering, and tectonic activities.

• Explore the impact of these forces on natural landscapes and human activities.

Earth’s Forces (1 week)

• Earth’s Forces (all), Magnetism (1 day)

• Gravity (1 day), Newton’s 2nd Law

• Friction (1 day)

• Balances and Unbalanced forces, Newton’s Laws (1 day)

• Predicting Directions (1 day)

Earth’s Layers and Plate Tectonics

• Describe the structure of Earth’s layers, including the crust, mantle, and core.

• Understand the theory of plate tectonics and its role in explaining earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

Earth’s Layers (1 week)

• Earth, Gravity, and Spheres (1 day)

• Earth’s Layers (1 day)

• Earth’s Magnetic Field (1 day)

• Earth’s Surface (landforms and Topography (1 day)

Plate Tectonics ( 2 weeks)

• Pangea, Theory of Plate Tectonics (1 day)

• Plate Boundaries (2-3 days)

• Forces that cause plate movement (1 day)

• Plate tectonics and the Rock Cycle (1 day)

• Earthquakes and Volcanoes (1 day)

• Ring of Fire and Natural Disasters ( 1 day)

Landforms and Topography

• Identify various types of landforms and the processes that form them.

• Use topographic maps to understand the features of different landscapes and their elevation changes.

Landforms and Topography (2 weeks)

• Earth’s Surface & Landforms (1 day)

• Topographic Maps (1 day)

Atmosphere

• Describe the composition and structure of Earth's atmosphere.

• Understand the role of the atmosphere in climate and weather patterns, as well as its importance in protecting life on Earth.

Atmosphere (4 weeks)

• Layers of Atmosphere

• Layers of Atmosphere (1  day)

• Air Pressure and Altitude (1 day)

• Radiation (1 day)

• Thermal Energy Transfer (1 day)

• Wind Patterns

• Winds (1 day)

• Air Pollution (1 day)

• Water Cycle

• Hydrosphere & Water Cycle in Atmosphere (1 day)

• States of Water in Water Cycle (1 day)

• Water Pollution (1 day)

• Climate & Weather

• Weather, Patterns, Severe Weather (2 days)

• Climate (1 day)

Earth, Sun, Moon, Space

• Explore the relationships between the Earth, Sun, and Moon, including the phases of the Moon, eclipses, and seasons.

• Investigate the characteristics of our solar system and the basics of space exploration.

Earth, Sun, Moon, Space (3 weeks)

• Earth, Sun, Moon Relationships

• Gravitational pull, rotation, and axis (1 day)

• Moon and Tides (1 day)

• Seasons (1-2 day)

• Solstices & Equinoxes (1 day)

• The Moon and Phases (1 day)

• Eclipses (1 day)

• Solar System and Technology

• The Solar System’s Objectsà Planets (1 day)

• Asteroids, Comets, Sun & Stars (1 day)

• Space Exploration and Discoveries (2 days)

Pollution and Environment

• Identify the sources and types of pollution and their effects on the environment and human health.

• Explore strategies for reducing pollution and promoting sustainability to protect Earth's ecosystems.

Pollution, Energy Use and Renewal (3 weeks)

• Types of Resources (2 days)

• Alternate Energy Sources (2 days)

• Technology and Energy (1 day)

• Pollution (2 days)

• Conservation (2 days)

• Reuse, Reduce, Recycle (1 day)

• Effects of Energy Use (1 day)

• Population and Carrying Capacity (1 day)

• Global Warming  (2 days)