How can humans further our understanding of Earth’s Systems and the influence these systems have on the structure and nature of Earth?
What is Earth Science?
How do scientists gather and analyze information?
How do scientists use metric measurements?
What is density and what effect does it have on Earth’s systems?
What are the branches of science that make up Earth science?
What is an observation and how does it compare to an inference?
How and why do scientists use the International System of Measurement?
Where do scientists find SI units in our lives?
How is density determined?
How do scientists calculate Density and record errors in measurement?
How do scientists construct and use graphs?
How is technology changing the way scientists work?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Compare and contrast the branches of Earth science.
Measure the mass and volume of objects.
Calculate the density of objects.
Calculate rate of change.
Construct graphs to show relationships between X/Y variables.
Honors Enrichment:
Broaden understanding of scientific notation and how it applies to complex values.
Apply scientific notation to compute real world problems.
HS: A-CED.A.2
How do cartographers describe the Earth’s shape?
How do cartographers map and measure the Earth’s surface?
What are the types of maps and what are their purposes?
How do cartographers use coordinate systems to determine location?
How was solar time quantified based on longitude?
How does Topography help us understand and interpret the surface of our Earth?
What is the shape of Earth?
What is a coordinate system?
What is the difference between lines of latitude and lines of longitude?
What are the major reference lines for latitude and longitude?
How was standard time and the time zones developed?
What is topography and how do topographical maps help students understand features and elevation changes on Earth?
How is the gradient of a hillside calculated?
What is a profile and how is it drawn?
How is field data analyzed to form field maps?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Define the shape of Earth.
Evaluate the methods used to prove that the Earth is spherical in nature.
Compare and contrast the difference between Latitude and Longitude.
Examine the basis of time and how standard time was developed.
Construct an isoline map from field data.
Construct and model contour maps to represent simple landforms.
Calculate gradient and draw a profile from data and/or maps.
Construct field maps from field data.
Honors Enrichment:
Calculate % Grade for geographical features and landforms.
Calculate slope angle and the different sides of a triangle using trigonometric functions.
Apply the trigonometric values to true surface features of Earth.
HS: ESS 2-2
What is the Universe and what is its origin?
How do astronomers explain observations of celestial bodies and movement?
How do astronomers describe the composition of celestial bodies?
Why is the moon important to human survival and in what ways does the Moon affect Earth?
How was the universe created?
What is the structure, scale, and change over time of the Universe?
What are the differences and similarities among the sun, the terrestrial planets, and the gas planets?
Is the Sun a typical star and how does the nuclear reaction fusion cause the radiation of energy?
How do astronomers classify stars and how does the Sun compare to other stars in our galaxy/Universe?
How do astronomers describe the motions of celestial objects?
How do Earth’s motions affect terrestrial observations like seasons, sunpaths, star trails and other celestial phenomena?
What are the lunar features and basic characteristics of the Moon that we observe here on Earth?
What are the phases of the Moon and why are they observed?
What are eclipses and why can we observe them from Earth?
How does the Moon affect the tides?
What are tides and why is the tidal cycle a cyclical occurrence?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Analyze the origin of the universe and Earth’s place within.
Categorize stars based on spectral type.
Construct models that illustrate phases of the moon, seasons, eclipses.
Relate planetary positions to their properties including the differentiation between terrestrial and jovian planets.
Examine the motions of Earth.
Compare and contrast the positions of Earth that determine the seasons.
Graph changes in the length and direction of an object's shadow due to a change in season.
Model the observed sun paths that correlate to seasonal positions.
Compare and Contrast the Phases of Earth’s Moon.
Model lunar and solar eclipses.
Discuss and analyze the tidal cycle.
Honors Enrichment:
Examine Advanced galaxy formation/evolution and stellar evolution.
Sequence and chronologize the history of astronomy.
Calculate and compare motions of the planets using Kepler’s laws.
Investigate astronomical exploration, past and future.
Explore the history of the moon and predict moonrise and moonset times.
Model the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun objects involved in solar and lunar eclipses based on exact angles and paths of celestial motions.
Determine and differentiate the sun’s path based on seasons and different locations around the globe including % of intensity and altitude of the Sun.
HS-ESS: 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6, 1-7
What is energy and how does it affect and influence the Earth?
What are the types of energy and how do they interact with Earth?
How is energy transferred throughout the environment?
What is electromagnetic energy?
How does electromagnetic energy affect the Earth and human life?
Why is the understanding of different types of electromagnetic energy important to human life/survival?
What is reflection, refraction, transmission and scattering?
How is energy transferred from one material on Earth to another?
What is Convection, conduction and radiation?
What materials are considered better absorbers, conductors or radiators of energy?
What is Kinetic and Potential Energy?
What is the difference between heat and temperature?
What is specific heat and how is it calculated?
What are heating curves and how do they relate to latent heat?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Compare and contrast wavelengths of energy absorbed and emitted by planet Earth.
Compare and contrast Red - Shift versus Blue - Shift.
Compare and contrast the differences in which energy can be transferred from one material into another.
Honors Enrichment:
Investigate spectroscopy and measurement of spectral lines produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation.
Distinguish between conservation of kinetic energy and potential energy
Apply heating curves to determine total amounts of heat energy gained or released by a material.
Analyze and determine the transfer of energy using numerous mathematical equations.
Ex: Calculate the total amount of energy needed to change a substance's temperature using values of specific heat and the heat formula (Q = m x c x ΔT)
HS-ESS: 2.D
What is the Atmosphere and how does it influence climate and weather on Earth?
What are the variables of weather?
How do air masses and fronts affect weather changes on Earth?
How do meteorologists interpret synoptic weather data and predict severe weather?
How does the Sun affect weather patterns on Earth?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
What are the instruments used to collect weather data?
What are the atmospheric variables studied by meteorologists and how do they influence changes in weather patterns?
What are air masses?
How do fronts develop and what are the differences between the four types of fronts?
How do meteorologists collect and interpret weather data?
How and to what extent can meteorologists predict the weather over short periods of time?
How do meteorologists utilize synoptic weather data to predict future storms and weather patterns over long periods of time?
What are the different types of severe storms and why do they develop?
What are the dangers of severe storms and how do we as a society prepare for them?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Compare and contrast the variables of weather.
Discuss and analyze the influence weather variables have on atmospheric conditions..
Calculate pressure/temperature gradients.
Construct and interpret station models.
Analyze synoptic weather data to predict meteorological events.
Honors Enrichment:
Investigate extreme weather events including hurricanes, tornados, nor’easters, winter storms.
Interpret synoptic weather data to predict weather patterns.
Examine weather changes brought on by global changes in temperature and other weather variables that impact human survival.
HS-ESS: 2-2, 2-4, 2-6, 2-8, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6
What is insolation and how does insolation affect the atmosphere?
What are the five main types of climate and why does climate vary?
What are the natural vs human-driven causes of climate change?
How is climate changing over time, and to what extent are humans impacting the change?
What can be done to reduce the effects of climate change?
How do different parts of the Earth's climate system affect one another?
How do the variables of weather influence and affect climate and climate change?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Calculate and determine different angles of insolation to determine the intensity of each angle on Earth.
Analyze graphs of past climatic patterns of planet Earth.
Construct a map of the Pacific Ocean labeling El Nino and La Nina periods.
Honors Enrichment:
Examine weather changes brought on by global changes in temperature and other weather variables.
HS-ESS: 2-4, 2-8, 3-5
How do hydrologists explain the movement of water through the environment?
What phase changes are involved in the water cycle that affect changes in weather?
Where does water go after it is infiltrated below Earth’s surface?
Where is water found on Earth and what percentage?
What are the basic phase changes of water?
How does water change from one state of matter to another?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Identify and label components of the Water Cycle on a diagram.
Examine the impacts of humans on the water cycle.
Honors Enrichment:
Examine the impacts of global temperature (and other variables) on the water cycle.
HS-ESS: 2-6
How does weathering, erosion and deposition affect the Earth’s surface?
What are the factors that control soil formation and development?
Where does water go after it is infiltrated below Earth’s surface?
What is weathering and what factors affect the rate of weathering?
What are the types of weathering?
How is soil developed?
What are the types of soil and how do their characteristics differ?
What are the basic soil horizons?
Where does water go once it reaches Earth’s surface?
How does latitude affect the water cycle?
What is groundwater and how/where is it stored?
What is porosity and what factors control percent porosity?
What is permeability and how does it relate to the water cycle?
What are the factors that control permeability?
What is erosion?
What are the agents of erosion and what is their influence on Earth’s surface?
What factors control erosion?
How does climate affect the amount of erosion that takes place?
What are the different surface features and landscapes found on Earth?
What controls landscape development?
What are the differences in landscapes and how are they classified?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Compare and contrast weathering, erosion and deposition.
Calculate weathering rates.
Measure the porosity and permeability of different sediment samples.
Honors Enrichment:
Recognize and evaluate environmental concerns like global temperature changes that affect weathering and erosion.
Describe the evolution of weathering and erosion & deposition “WED” as human populations change.
Explore how to mitigate weathering, erosion, and deposition to control land surface deterioration
Model Landscape designs used to control weathering, erosion, and deposition.
HS-ESS: 2-1, 2-2, 2-5
What differentiates a rock from a mineral?
How do geologists classify/identify rocks and minerals on the basis of their physical and chemical properties?
Where and how are rocks and minerals formed?
How are rocks altered and transformed into one of the different groupings of rocks?
What are the characteristics of minerals?
What processes result in the formation of minerals?
What are the major mineral groups?
What properties can be used to identify minerals?
How is a mineral's hardness determined?
What are some distinctive properties of minerals?
What are the three types of rocks?
How do Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks differ?
How do the types of rocks form and in what environments?
What properties or special characteristics are used to help identify between each of the three rock groups?
What is the rock cycle?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Examine the properties of different minerals.
Identify and differentiate common minerals.
Determine the environment of formation of the three major rock types..
Honors Enrichment:
Recognize how rocks and minerals are used to improve the quality of life.
Identify and understand how the abuse of rocks, minerals and natural resources affects life, and the implications the abuse has on the environment & economy.
HS-ESS: 3-2
How do geologists study Earth’s interior and how do they describe the Earth’s interior?
How is Earth’s interior layered and what are the physical and chemical characteristics of the crust mantle and core?
How do geologists compare and contrast the Earth’s layers in relation to temperature, density, and composition?
How do events that take place inside the Earth cause changes on its surface?
What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics, how does it influence geologic structures and what observations can be made by humans as a result?
What are seismic waves and how do they aid Geologists in studying Earth’s interior?
What are the layers of Earth’s interior?
How are the layers of Earth established and what is a disconformity?
What are the chemical components of Earth’s layers and in what phase of matter are each layer?
Why are layers in different phases of matter?
What are the major lithospheric plates and how do they move?
How does convection drive plate movement?
What are convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries?
What is Geologic deformation and how does it relate to stratigraphic tilting, folding and faulting?
What is an Earthquake and how do Geologists study them?
What are the characteristics of P-waves, S- waves and surface waves?
How do Geologists use seismic waves to determine the magnitude and location of an earthquake?
What are the hazards associated with earthquakes and where are these dangers most prevalent?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Calculate arrival times for P-waves and S-waves.
Examine density, temperatures, and melting points of the Earth’s interior zones from the NYS reference tables.
Honors Enrichment:
Model the interior of the Earth and discuss/examine the discontinuities that separate the major layers.
Examine the impacts that drilling/mining patterns have on the earth’s surface.
Consider ethical issues with mining/drilling into the Earth Interior.
HS-ESS: 1-5, 2-1
How do geologists sequence geologic events in Earth’s history?
How do stratigraphers correlate geologic observation with Earth’s historical past?
What is radiometric dating?
What are the different segments of geologic time?
How are the segments of geologic time separated /differentiated?
What are the substantial events causing life to develop through time?
What has caused life to become extinct throughout time and when have major extinction events taken place?
What is relative dating and how does it compare to absolute dating?
What are the laws that help establish geologic sequence?
What is radiometric decay and how does it help geologists establish absolute ages?
What are radioactive isotopes and how are they used in absolute dating?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Construct a scale model for the timeline of Earth's History.
Model radioactive decay using objects that show random change.
Interpret a sequence of events from geologic cross sections.
Interpret geologic maps and time scales.
Honors Enrichment:
Examine and evaluate past events in Earth’s geologic history to infer future environmental changes.
Analyze historical data (ex. Greenland Ice Cores) to analyze and document global temperature changes.
HS-ESS: 1-5, 1-6, 2-1, 2-7
How do humans alter past practices to live a more sustainable lifestyle in the future?
What are natural resources and where do scientists find them?
What are the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources?
What are the ways in which humans can reduce the need for freshwater resources?
How do water management methods help distribute freshwater resources more evenly along Earth’s surface?
What are ways in which humans can reduce their carbon footprint?
How does increasing energy efficiency help preserve fossil fuels?
What are the forms of renewable clean energy sources?
What can humans do to conserve Earth’s natural resources to promote sustainability?
Can sustainable energy meet the current and future needs of humankind?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Identify how humans have managed Earth’s resources in the past.
Identify and examine ways in which humans can reduce the need for natural resources.
Recognize the need to protect Earth’s land surface as a resource.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear and solar energy.
Examine long-term impacts humans have had on Earth’s systems.
Honors Enrichment:
Interpolate past and present events of human impact and how they can and will affect future sustainability.
HS-ESS: 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-6
What present/future actions can humans take to mitigate global temperature changes
How does the present, past and future political environment affect acceptance of human influence that accelerates global temperature change.
How do greenhouse gasses affect global warming?
How does the increase in concentrations of greenhouse gasses contribute to a rise in the global average temperature and sea level?
How do humans contribute to current climate change?
What are alternate changes that occur on Earth as a result of global warming?
Textbook:
Earth Science The Physical Setting, Copyright 2011, McGuire
Earth Science Reference Tables Workbook - 4th Edition
Regents Review:
Earth Science: The Physical Setting (Prentice Hall Brief Review for the New York Regents Ex
Honors Textbook:
Glencoe Science New York Earth Science, McGraw Hill
Regents/ICT:
Learn how to use computer based software, interactive text and simulators to further graphing techniques and data analysis.
Evaluate their own thinking by attempting to connect the learning about the impact of ocean currents on climate to the unit problem.
Assimilate the process of socratic questioning and age appropriate debate techniques.
HS-ESS: 2-4, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6