Topic 3- Introductions to Earth's Systems

Suggested Time: 15 days

Objectives

Students will:

• define a scientific model as a visual representation that helps people gain a greater understanding of a scientific concept;

• explain how models can be used to study things that are too large or too small to see;

• discuss that models can be used to study objects from the past;

• compare and contrast mathematical and physical models; and

• apply knowledge to discuss the benefits and limitations of using models to study science.

• the landforms found in Florida; and

• how landforms affect living and nonliving components in Florida ecosystems and environments.

• identify the characteristics of the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere;

• identify ways in which these spheres are linked to one another; and

• describe how these interactions affect erosion, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, atmospheric gases, flooding, and the entrance of sunlight into the atmosphere.

Benchmarks Covered:

• SC.6.E.6.2

  • Recognize that there are a variety of different landforms on Earth's surface such as coastlines, dunes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, deltas, and lakes and relate these landforms as they apply to Florida.

• SC.6.E.7.4

  • Differentiate and show interactions among the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

• SC.6.N.3.4

  • Identify the role of models in the context of the sixth grade science benchmarks.