Earth Science
Year-at-a-Glance
Unit 1: Introduction to Earth’s Systems
In this unit, students will investigate and understand Earth systems
Branches of earths science
QUARTER ONE
Unit 2: Topographic Maps
In this unit, students will investigate and understand how direction, distance, and changes
in elevation/depth are calculated; construct and interpret scales, diagrams, charts; and
read and interpret maps and globes including location by latitude and longitude.
Unit 3: Minerals and Mineral Resources
In this unit, students will investigate and understand how to identify major rock-forming
and ore minerals based on physical and chemical properties.
Unit 4: Rock Types and the Rock Cycle
In this unit, students will investigate and understand the rock cycle and how many
aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks
and fossils.
Unit 5: Earth’s Structure and Movement
QUARTER TWO
In this unit, students will investigate and understand the characteristics of Earth.
Unit 6: Plate Tectonics
In this unit, students will investigate and understand geologic processes, including plate
tectonics and that oceans are complex, interactive physical, chemical, and biological
systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations.
Unit 7: Weathering, Erosion, Deposition
In this unit, students will investigate and understand how freshwater resources are
influenced by geologic processes and the activities of humans.
Standards of Learning:
ES.2
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.4
ES.6
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.5
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.3a
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
3 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.7b
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
3 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.7a
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
3 Weeks
Unit 8: Interactions of the Hydrosphere and Lithosphere
In this unit, students will investigate and understand that freshwater resources are
complex, interactive physical, chemical, and biological systems and are subject to longand short-term variations.
Unit 9: Geological History
QUARTER THREE
In this unit, students will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and
evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils.
Unit 10: Geologic History of Virginia
In this unit, students will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and
evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils.
Unit 11: Interactions of the Hydrosphere and Atmosphere
QUARTER FOUR
In this unit, students will investigate and understand the origin and evolution of the
atmosphere and the interrelationship of geologic processes, biologic processes, and
human activities on its composition and dynamics.
Unit 12: Astronomy
In this unit, students will investigate and understand the characteristics of Earth, the solar
system, scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe, and nature
of science and scientific reasoning and logic.
Standards of Learning:
ES.8
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.9
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
2 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.7a
ES.8f
ES.9d
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
1 Week
Standards of Learning:
ES.10
ES.11
ES.12
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
3 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
ES.3b,c,d
ES.13
ES.1
Suggested Time Frame:
4 Weeks