EARTH
SCIENCE STRAND MATRIX |
Grade
Level |
Module |
Science
Concepts |
Thinking
Processes |
Module
Overview |
6-8 |
Planetary
Science Course |
Solar system
Planet Satellite Crater Atmosphere Scale Orbit Revolution
Rotation Day and night Interaction Change |
Inferring
Relating
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students study
the Earth as a celestial object before progressing to lunar
science and lunar exploration, and then on to the solar system.
They explore the Moon’s origin, phases and geology,
celestial motions, cratering, imaging, and space exploration. |
Earth
History Course |
Erosion Deposition
Sedimentation Lithification Index fossil Rock formation Landform
Prehistoric environment Evidence |
Students investigate
rocks and fossils to discover clues that reveal Earth’s
history. They explore Grand Canyon rocks and fossils, the
processes that created them, and compare evidence discovered
in rocks to present day processes and life. |
Weather
and Water
Course |
Heat Radiation Conduction
Convection Density Pressure Condensation Water cycle Drainage
basin Climate |
Students investigate the
properties of Earth’s atmosphere and the processes that
produce weather, including energy transfer, atmospheric pressure,
and water cycle. Students collect and analyze local and global
weather data. |
5-6 |
Landforms
Module |
Contour Erosion
Deposition Elevation Landform Map Model Point of view Slope
Topography |
Relating
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students investigate
variables that influence erosion and deposition and the subsequent
creation of landforms and create topographic maps as a means
to represent landforms. |
Solar Energy
Module |
Absorb Change Energy transfer
Heat sink Insulation Orientation Reflect Shadow Solar Energy
Surface Area |
Students study the relationship
between the sun, an object, and the shadow it casts. They
set up experiments to discover which variables influence the
transfer of solar energy. |
3-4 |
Earth
Materials
Module |
Earth material
Crystal Geology Mineral Rock Property |
Advanced
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students examine
rocks in detail and discover that rocks are made of combinations
of minerals. They identify rocks and minerals by observing
their properties, e.g. color and hardness. |
Water
Module |
Change Cycle Condensation
Earth material Evaporation Liquid Solid Property Surface tension |
Students examine the properties
of water as solid, liquid, and gas. They discover what happens
to water as it is heated, cooled, frozen, evaporated, and
allowed to interact with other materials. |
1-2 |
Pebbles,
Sand,
and Silt Module |
Earth material
Rock Mixture Particles Soil |
Beginning
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students study
the properties of rocks and soil. They group and seriate rocks,
learning simple ways by which earth materials can be organized. |
Air and
Weather
Module |
Air Gas Lift Pressure
Propulsion Temperature Weather Wind |
Students study the properties
of air. They examine its effects on other materials and use
basic tools to gather information about air and weather. |
K |
Paper,
Wood, and
Fabric Modules |
Materials
Structures
Change |
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students observe,
compare, and describe wood, paper, and fabric, and find out
what happens when these materials interact with other materials. |
(Full
Option Science System)