Assessment Planning Guide
Unit: Viewing and Interpreting Earth’s Surface Features
Grade: 8
Study the Standards: Based on the content and scientific and investigation standards, what should students
know, understand, and be able to do by the end of instruction.
Practices
Concepts
(What do students need to know?)
(8.9) Earth and space. The student knows that natural
events can impact Earth systems. The student is
expected to:
(C) interpret topographic maps and satellite
views to identify land and erosional features and
predict how these features may be reshaped by
weathering.
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Natural events can impact the topographic
features on the surface of the earth.
Topographic maps and satellite views can be
used to identify land features.
Topographic maps and satellite views can be
used to identify erosional features.
Weathering is a natural event that results in the
reshaping of earth’s surface features.
Topographic maps and satellite views can be
used to make predictions about how earth’s
surface features may be reshaped by weathering.
(How will students engage in the Science?)
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses
scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and field
investigations. The student is expected to:
(E) analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations,
communicate valid conclusions supported by the data, and
predict trends.
• Students will use scientific inquiry methods during a field
investigation.
o Use and interpret models to represent natural features
o Collect and use data as evidence for explanations of natural
events
o Collect data and look for patterns and relationships that can
be used to communicate valid conclusions
o Use and interpret models to develop explanations for present
and future natural events
o Defend their explanations of natural events
Learning Goal — Overarching criteria for this building block
(WHAT students need to know, HOW they engage, and in what CONTEXT)
• Students will use and interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify Earth’s surface features and to communicate a
prediction of how weathering will cause these features to change over time.
Criteria
(Clear, specific, measurable statements that describe what students do to demonstrate their understanding)
I can . . .
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Use and interpret data from topographic maps and satellite views as evidence for the identification of land and
erosional features.
Look for patterns and relationships that can be used to communicate valid conclusions from the data.
Use and interpret data from topographic maps and satellite views as evidence as they make predictions about how
surface features represented by the map have been reshaped as a result of erosion.
Collect and use data from topographic maps and satellite views as evidence for their explanations of how Earth’s
surface features may have been reshaped as a result of weathering and erosion.
Collect and use data from topographic maps and satellite views as evidence for their predictions of how Earth’s
surface features may be reshaped in the future as a result of weathering and erosion.
The Charles A Dana Center at
The University of Texas at Austin
www.utdanacenter.org