TEKS Addressed: 8.1A, 8.2A, 8.2C, 8.2E, 8.3A, 8.3B, 8.3C, 8.3D, 8.4A, 8.4B, 8.10A, 8.10B, 8.10C

Introduction

This unit bundles Student Expectations that address climatic interactions among Earth, ocean, and weather systems. The Sun’s energy drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds. Weather maps are used to model global patterns of atmospheric movement that influence local weather and can be used to make predictions of future weather. The oceans play a role in the formation of weather systems.

Prior to this Unit

• Grade 3

  • 3.8A – Observe, measure, record, and compare day-to-day weather changes in different locations at the same time that include air temperature, wind direction, and precipitation.

  • 3.8B – Describe and illustrate the Sun as a star composed of gases that provides light and thermal energy.

• Grade 4

  • 4.8A – Measure, record, and predict changes in weather.

  • 4.8B – Describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of Earth through the water cycle and explain the role of the Sun as a major source of energy in this process.

• Grade 5

  • 5.8A – Differentiate between weather and climate.

  • 5.8B – Explain how the Sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle.

• Grade 6

  • 6.9A – Investigate methods of thermal energy transfer, including conduction, convection, and radiation.

  • 6.9B – Verify through investigations that thermal energy moves in a predictable pattern from warmer to cooler until all the substances attain the same temperature such as an ice cube melting.

During this Unit

Students use scientific practices and a variety of tools to investigate and explore how the Sun provides the energy that drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds. In addition, they identify how global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather using weather maps that show pressure and frontal systems. Students identify the role of oceans in the formation of weather systems. Additionally, students communicate and discuss their observations and record and organize data in their notebooks. Furthermore, students analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations based on evidence from their investigations and communicate valid conclusions (supported by collected data). Students continue to demonstrate safe practices as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety standards and consider environmentally appropriate and ethical practices with resources during investigations.

After this Unit

Climatic interactions among Earth, ocean, and weather systems may be studied in high school elective science courses. No further studies of these concepts are required for high school graduation credit.

Additional Notes

STAAR Note

The Grade 8 Science STAAR will directly assess Student Expectations in the following Reporting Categories:

• Reporting Category 3: Earth and Space

  • 8.10A – Supporting Standard

  • 8.10B – Supporting Standard

  • 8.10C – Supporting Standard

Research

“By the end of 8^th grade, students should know that:

• Water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises and cools, condenses into rain or snow, and falls again to the surface. The water falling on land collects in rivers and lakes, soil, and porous layers of rock, and much of it flows back into the oceans. The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere is a significant aspect of the weather patterns on Earth. 4B/M7*…

• Thermal energy carried by ocean currents has a strong influence on climates around the world. Areas near oceans tend to have more moderate temperatures than they would if they were
  farther inland but at the same latitude because water in the oceans can hold a large amount of thermal energy. 4B/M9*

• The temperature of a place on the earth's surface tends to rise and fall in a somewhat predictable pattern every day and over the course of a year. The pattern of temperature changes observed in a place tends to vary depending on how far north or south of the equator the place is, how near to oceans it is, and how high above sea level it is. 4B/M12**

• Thermal energy is transferred through a material by the collisions of atoms within the material. Over time, the thermal energy tends to spread out through a material and from one material to another if they are in contact. Thermal energy can also be transferred by means of currents in air, water, or other fluids. 4E/M3*”

American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2009). Benchmarks on-line. Retrieved from http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/online/index.php?chapter=4.