9th Grade Environmental Science Curriculum – Level 1
Introduction to Science and the Earth
Big
Ideas
Science is the study of
the natural world. It
multiple branches.
The Earth is a moving
body divided into
various layers and
spheres.
Concepts
Standards
1) Science has multiple
branches including earth
science and ecology.
These disciplines are
interconnected.
3.1.10A, B, C,
D, E
2) The Scientific method
is a logical process of
problem solving and is
essential to sound
experimental design.
3) Hypothesis, theories,
and scientific laws are
part of scientific
discovery and scientific
writing.
4) The Big Bang is a
theory supported by the
red shift and background
radiation.
5) The interior of the
earth has multiple layers.
6) Gravity and
magnetism are two
primary forces affecting
the planet.
7) The earth moves as a
planetary body.
8) Natural and artificial
satellites orbit the earth.
9) Eratosthenes made
the first measurements
3.2 .10A, B,
C, D,
Competencies
1) Define and relate the
various branches of science
and their associated terms.
2) List the steps of the
scientific method in logical
sequence using examples
from class and of your own.
2) Recognize properly
designed versus poorly
designed experiments.
Essential Questions
How are earth science and
ecology connected?
How do math, physics,
chemistry, biology, ecology
and earth science link
together?
What is the difference
between a control and a
variable?
3) Explain the concepts of
hypotheses, theories, and
scientific laws with examples
including the Gaia hypothesis
and the Big Bang theory .
What are the components of
sound experimental design?
4) Explain the Big Bang
theory and its relationship to
red shift, background
radiation, and the Doppler
Effect.
Why is The Big Bang a
theory and by what evidence
is it supported?
5) Label and define all the
parts and layers of the earth
and how scientists have
gathered this information.
6) Explain what creates
gravity and magnetism and
how they affect the earth.
7) Describe the terms and
processes associated with the
earth’s movements.
8) Explain the difference
What is the Gaia
hypothesis?
What is the difference
between the lithosphere and
the asthenosphere?
How do the crust, mantle,
inner core, and outer core
differ from one another
including their relationship to
seismic waves?
What affects the force of
gravity?
What creates the earth’s
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
Duration
(in days)
Science, physics,
chemistry, biology, ecology,
earth science, astronomy,
meteorology,
oceanography, geology,
geosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere, biosphere,
ecosystem, pollution,
biodegradable, scientific
method, observation,
control, variable,
hypothesis, conclusion,
theory, scientific law, Gaia,
Big Bang, Doppler effect,
red shift, wavelength,
spectroscope, bright-line
spectrum, seismic waves,
crust, mantle, outer core,
inner core, Moho, shadow
zones, lithosphere,
asthenosphere, magnetism,
gravity, weight, mass,
rotation, perihelion,
aphelion, revolution, ,
solstice, equinox, time
zones, precession,
International date line,
daylight savings time,
satellite geosynchronous
orbit, polar orbit, perigee,
apogee
Modern Earth
Science –
Holt,
Rinehart and
Winston
pgs.1-39.
12-15
and calculations of the
earth’s circumference.
between natural and artificial
satellites and how they move.
magnetic field?
9) Measure the circumference
of the earth by re-creating
Eratosthenes method.
How does the earth’s
rotation compare to its
revolution? What are time
zones and daylight savings
time?
Competencies
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
1) List biotic and abiotic
components of various natural
environments.
What is the relationship
between biotic, organic,
abioitc and inorganic things?
Biotic, abiotic, organic,
inorganic, ecology,
ecosystem, biosphere,
biome, environment,
permafrost, humus,
deciduous, coniferous, true
census, sample census, mr-r method, transect,
population, population
density, limiting factor,
carrying capacity, birth rate,
death rate, immigration,
emigration, migration,
habitat, community, edge,
fragmentation, simple
leaves, compound leaves,
alternate and opposite
branching, serrated edges
lobed leaf margins
Environmental
Science –
Person pgs 112.
Ecosystems and Population Ecology
Big
Ideas
Ecology is the study of
how living things
interact with their
surroundings.
Population of organisms
changes due to
changes in habitat.
Concepts
1) Environments consist
of living and non-living
components.
2) Ecosystems are
places where living
things interact with their
surroundings and occur
at various levels, such
as biomes in the
biosphere.
3) Biomes are areas of
life determined by
climate and soil type.
4) Plot and mark- returnrecapture are methods
for sampling
populations.
5) Populations are kept
in check by various
limiting factors.
6) Populations change
due limiting factors or
Standards
4.6.10.A
2) Identify and link the terms
ecosystem, biome, and
biosphere.
3) List the various unique
abiotic characteristics of the
seven terrestrial biomes.
4) Identify and recognize
population sampling methods
and the types of census used.
5) List and describe limiting
factors using examples, and
how they could affect an
organism’s population.
6) Give examples of how and
why an organism’s population
has changed.
What are the seven basic
terrestrial biomes and what
are their characteristics?
Under what circumstances
would you use the various
types of census methods?
What are some advantages
and disadvantages of the
various census methods?
What causes populations to
increase or decrease?
What are some factors that
keep populations from
reaching carrying capacity?
What happens when
populations exceed carrying
capacity?
What are the four basic
Duration
(in days)
10 - 15
lack of and may reach
carrying capacity.
7) Understand the concept of
carrying capacity and
population graphs.
7) Deciduous forests
have several vertical
stratifications that add to
biodiversity.
8) Know the order and
properties of the four layers of
a mature deciduous forest.
8) Forest communities
can be assessed
through scientific
sampling and analysis.
9) List various common forest
species for the field study and
be able to do an onsite plot
census of a forest community.
9) Humans affect habitat
requirements of
organisms and thus
affect their population.
layers of a forest and how
do they change in terms of
abiotic factors?
How do you create a forest
plot census study?
How do you identify
common tree species?
How have human activities
changed the populations of
deer, grouse, and bluebirds
over the last 100 years?
10) Explain and give
examples of various
communities and habitats. Be
able to describe how
populations of certain species
have changed due to human
influence such as edge effect.
11) Identify common tree
species in the area.
Community Ecology
Big
Ideas
Communities are sets of
interaction populations.
Organisms occupy
various niches.
Energy flow through an
ecosystem is linear.
Matter is recycled in
Concepts
1) Feeding niches are
interconnected forming
food webs.
2) Energy flow in an
ecosystem is linear
staring with the sun and
ending up as heat.
3) Biomass forms a
Pyramid in a food chain
4.6.10.B, C
Competencies
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
1) Create a food web using all
the possible niches involved
and recognize a feeding niche
from a chain.
What are the names of all
the feeding niches in a food
web?
Niche, food chain, food
web, trophic level,
producer, consumer,
primary productivity,
herbivore, omnivore,
carnivore, predator, prey,
scavenger, decomposer,
parasite, host,
photosynthesis, respiration,
combustion, nitrification,
nitrogen fixation,
Environmental
Science –
Person pgs
13 – 43.
2) Explain all the possible
paths of energy in an
ecosystem.
3) Diagram and explain the
What happens to energy as
it moves through a food
web?
What is the role of a
Duration
(in days)
15 - 20
ecosystems.
Succession is the
natural change in
ecosystems.
since it is lost as you
move up through trophic
levels.
concept of a biomass and
number pyramid.
4) Draw and define the
processes involved in the
carbon/oxygen cycle.
4) Respiration,
photosynthesis, and
combustion are the
three basic processes of
the carbon/oxygen
cycle.
5) Draw and define the
processes involved in the
hydrological cycle.
5) Water cycles through
various processes on
the planet.
6) Identify all the processes
and components of the
nitrogen cycle. Recognize
which organisms are
responsible for the processes
and the end product of each
process.
6) Nitrogen cycles
through organic and
inorganic forms by
bacteria and is an
essential nutrient in the
food web.
7) Explain the
concept of succession with
examples. Describe the biotic
and abiotic characteristics of
each stage in the succession
of a pond and a forest. Give
examples of disturbances that
can change the rate of
succession.
7) Succession is the
natural change in an
ecosystem over time
resulting in biotic and
abiotc changes altering
communities.
Disturbances affect the
process. Examples
include forests, ponds,
and bogs.
8) Analyze a food web in
terms of biodiversity and the
presence of keystone
species.
8) Ecosystem diversity
is linked to stability and
may rely on keystone
species.
decomposer in a food web?
What is the 10% rule in
regards to the biomass
pyramid?
How does the number
pyramid relate to the
biomass pyramid?
What are the processes of
the carbon/oxygen cycle
and how can humans make
it unbalanced?
denitrification, legumes,
nitrate, nitrite, nitrogen gas,
ammonium, ammonia,
decomposition,
assimilation, succession,
pioneer stage, climax
stage, submergent,
emergent, marsh, swamp,
bog, carnivorous plants,
biodiversity, keystone
species
What are the processes of
the hydrological cycle?
What are the process and
compound of the nitrogen
cycle?
What are the stages of and
characteristics of forest
succession?
What are the stages and
characteristics of pond
succession?
What are the unique abiotic
and biotic characteristics of
bogs?
Ecological/Environmental Issues and Management
Big
Ideas
Forests can be
managed sustainably
Concepts
1) Human have
significant effects on
Standards
4.3.10C
4.7.10A, B, C
Competencies
1) List the important facts of
Pennsylvania forest history.
Essential
Questions
How have Pennsylvania
forests changes in the
Vocabulary
Old-growth, secondary
forests, tannic acid,
Textbook
Pages
Environmental
Science –
Duration
(in days)
25 - 30
both environmentally
and economically.
Invasive species are a
major threat to native
ecosystem stability.
Endangered species are
prone to extinction from
various threats and are
protected by federal
law.
natural ecosystems.
2) Old-growth forest
ecosystems are highly
diverse and have
interconnecting
communities.
3) Forests can be
managed for wildlife
diversity by avoiding
techniques that create
habitat fragmentation
and monocultures.
.
4) Forests can be
sustainably harvested
through various
techniques.
5) Introduced species
are common and often
disruptive components
of our environment.
4.9.10A
last 200 years?
2) Explain the relationship of
various old growth organisms to
the forest. Explain the concept of
multiple use.
3) Explain how to manage forests
for wildlife and biodiversity.
Describe the practices that should
be avoided.
4) Describe the various harvesting
methods and management factors
involve in sustainable harvesting.
5) Give examples of introduced
species.
6) Discuss the impacts of various
invasive species. Explain how it
was introduced, why it is a
problem, and what is being done
about it.
6) Invasive species are
introduces by various
methods and negatively
impact native species
and the economy in
various ways.
7) Explain why invasive species
are invasive, and the various
types of control methods
7) Invasive species
have certain
characteristics that
make them invasives.
There are various ways
to control invasive
species.
9) Explain the causes of
endangerment and give
examples.
8) The endangered
species Act is law
protection certain
species in danger of
8) Define the ESA. Who does it
involve, what does it do, and what
are its criticisms?
10) Explain the threats to tropical
rainforest and why they are not
sustainable.
How do old-growth
organisms rely on each
other, creating stable
diverse ecosystems?
What should a forest
contain in order to
maximize wildlife
diversity?
How can habitat
fragmentation be
avoided?
How does clear cutting
compare to seed-tree
logging and selection
cutting?
What should be
considered before an
area is logged for
timber?
What are some common
introduced species and
how did they get there?
What are the impacts
from invasive species
and what are some
common examples?
What characterizes an
invasive species and
how are they controlled?
How does the ESA
protect species and
what issues surrounded
this law?
symbiotic relationships,
multiple use, federal
forests, national parks,
forest openings, forest
mosaic, snags, cull trees,
nurse logs, habitat
fragmentation,
monocultures, forage,
browse, mast, cavity
nesters, excavators, clear
cutting, seed-tree logging,
selection cutting, diameter
limit cutting, shade tolerant,
shade intolerant,
introduced, invasive,
vectors, biological,
chemical, mechanical, and
cultural controls, ESA,
extinct, endangered,
threatened, candidate
Person pgs
44 – 88.
extinction.
What are the threats to
endangered species?
9) Habitat loss,
exploitation, and
invasive species are the
major threats to
endangered species.
Why are rainforests at
risk and why are they
important to the planet?
10. Tropical rainforests
are threatened by
various interest groups
and are not sustainable
when mismanaged.
Introductory Chemistry
Big
Ideas
Concepts
Matter is created of
atoms of elements
combining to form
elements and mixtures.
1) The atom is the
simplest form of matter
comprised of protons,
neutrons, and electrons.
Subatomic particles
such as electrons are
involved in forming
chemical compounds.
2) Elements and
compounds can be
expressed in various
forms.
Ph is the measure of
hydrogen ions and
determines the acidity
and alkalinity of a
substance.
3) The periodic table is
an organized chart of
elements based on the
properties of the
elements.
Standards
3.4.10.A
Competencies
1) Understand the basic concepts
of atomic theory and how
subatomic particles differ from one
another.
2) Write, create, and read
compounds from written, chemical,
and structural formulas.
3) Read the periodic chart in order
to determine the various numbers
of subatomic particles in an atom.
4) Draw the electron configuration
of an atom.
4) Electrons are
positioned in energy
levels around the
nucleus.
5) Determine the ion of an atom.
5) Ions are charged
atoms or molecules.
7) Determine the differences in
compounds, mixtures, alloys, and
elements with examples.
6) Stable compounds
are chemically
6) Create balanced ionic and
covalent bonds.
8) Explain and read the pH scale
Essential
Questions
What comprised and
atom?
What is the difference
between an element,
compound, and
mixture?
What are ions and how
do they form?
What are isotopes?
How do electrons form
energy levels and does
this affect bonding?
What is the difference
between covalent and
ionic bonds?
What are alloys and
solutions?
What determines
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
Duration
(in days)
Chemistry, atom, element
electron cloud, nucleus,
proton, neutron, electron,
quark, lepton, isotope,
atomic mass, atomic
number, electron energy
level, protium, deuterium,
tritium, ion, covalent bond,
ionic bond, molecule,
compound, structural
formula, dots structure,
mixture, alloy, solution, pH,
hydrogen ion, hydroxyl
ions, acid, base, buffer.
Modern Earth
Science –
Holt,
Rinehart and
Winston
Pgs. 138 151.
5 -10
balanced.
changes in the pH
scale?
7) Compounds are
chemically bonded
whereas mixtures are
physically united.
8) pH is determined by
the amount of hydrogen
ions in a substance.
Energy Use and Resources
Big
Ideas
Energy cannot be
created or destroyed but
change from a high to
low quality. These laws
affect energy usage.
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable major
sources of energy in the
U.S. They have
substantial impacts on
the environment.
Alternative energy
comes from a variety of
sources and has the
potential to replace
fossil fuels.
Concepts
1) Energy can change
form but cannot be
created or destroyed.
2) Energy moves toward
entropy in all systems.
3) Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources
that form in the earth
over millions of years.
They are the primary
use of energy in the
U.S. and their use has
detrimental impacts on
the environment.
4) Hydroelectric, wind,
solar, geothermal, tidal,
bio-fuels, and hydrogen
fuel are renewable
energy sources.
5) A variety of energy
source can be
converted into the
generation of electricity.
6) Alternative energies
Standards
3.4.10.B
4.3.10.A
4.8.10.A, B, C,
D
4.2.10.A, B, c,
D
4.9.10.A
Competencies
1) Define and give examples of
various forms of energy.
2) Define the laws of energy.
3) Compare the process in which
fossil fuels formed. Compare the
usage, cost, abundance, potential
energy, and pollution impacts of
coal oil and natural gas.
4) Explain how each of the
renewable energies works as well
as their benefits and limitations as
energy sources.
5 )Explain the basic mechanism of
how an energy source can be
used for electricity (p. 449 – 450).
6) Categorize alternative energies
based on their renewability,
reliability, and impact to the
environment.
7) Explain the basic process of
nuclear fission and fusion as well
as the concerns and impacts
associated with fission.
Essential
Questions
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
What is potential and
kinetic energy and how
can energy change
forms?
Energy, potential, kinetic,
entropy, gravitational,
chemical, elastic,
carbonization, coal, oil,
petroleum, gas, peat,
lignite, bituminous,
anthracite, Clean Air Act,
acid mine drainage, Mining
Control and Reclamation
Act, subsidence,
hydrocarbons,
hydroelectric, head, flow,
wind, solar, passive, active,
photovoltaics. Flat-plate
collectors, parabolic
lighting, geothermal,
ethanol, biofues, hydrogen
fuel, nuclear fission, Threemile island, Chernobyl,
nuclear fusion
Environmental
Science –
Person pgs
432 - 472
What are the laws of
energy and how do they
affect energy usage?
How did fossil fuels
form?
How does coal mining
affect the environment?
How do coal, oil, and
natural gas compare to
one another in how they
are used?
What are the
environmental impacts
of petroleum on the
environment?
What are the options for
renewable energy?
Duration
(in days)
15 - 20
have a variety of
benefits and limitations
that affect their use.
What are the benefits
and limitations of
alternative energies?
7) Nuclear fission is a
nonrenewable major
energy source in the
U.S. with multiple pros
and cons.
What are the concerns
with nuclear energy?
Geology and Geological History
Big
Ideas
Concepts
Minerals are
compounds with distinct
characteristics, whereas
rocks are mixtures of
minerals.
1) Mineral are nonrenewable resources
with specific chemical
and physical properties.
Rocks are classified by
formation and organized
in three main groups.
The earth is estimated
to be 4.6 billion years
old based on fossils and
rock layers. Geological
time is divided into units
based on fossils and
rock layers.
Plate Tectonics is the
leading theory
explaining primary
geological features’
processes on the planet.
2) Mineral scan be
identified by specific
observable tests.
3) Rock changes due to
various processes that
create a cycle.
Standards
3.5.10.A, B
4.8.10.A, B
Competencies
1) List characteristics and facts
associated with minerals and
group them based on their
chemical formula.
2) Identify minerals based on their
characteristics used to identify
minerals including unusual
properties.
3) Draw the rock cycle with all its
stages and processes.
4) Igneous rocks form
from cooling
magma/lava and are
grouped based on how
they cool and their
mineral content.
4) Group igneous rocks based on
their formation and mineral content
using examples of each grouping.
5) Igneous rocks form
various intrusive and
extrusive features
6) Group sedimentary rocks based
on their formation and sediment
using examples.
6) Sedimentary rocks
are grouped by how
they form and the type
of sediment they are
composed of.
7) Describe sedimentary features.
5) Define igneous intrusions and
extrusions.
8) Group metamorphic rocks
based on their formation and
description. Know the examples of
each grouping.
Essential
Questions
1) What is a mineral?
2) What characteristics
are used to identify
minerals?
3) What are the
processes involved in
the rock cycle?
4) What are two major
grouping of igneous
rocks and how do
mineral content
determine igneous rock
families?
5) What are the eight
basic igneous intrusions
and extrusions?
6) What are clastic and
non-clastic sedimentary
rocks?
7) What are examples of
sedimentary features?
8) What is the difference
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
Duration
(in days)
Mineral, silicate, nonsilicate, halide, native
element, sulfide, sulfate,
carbonate, color, luster,
streak, cleavage, fracture,
Moh’s scale, radioactivity,
double refraction,
magnetism, fluorescence,
phosfluorescence, Rocks,
igneous, sedimentary,
metamorphic, sediment,
lava, magma, weathering,
clastic, non-clasic,
precipitate, evaporate,
calcite, quartz, intrusive,
extrusive, intrusions,
extrusions, mafic,
intermediate, felsic,
batholiths, laccolith, stock,
sill, dike, fossil, geode,
concretion, stratification,
ripple marks, mud cracks,
era, period, epoch,
geolocial column, Isostasy,
continental drift, Pangaea,
sea floor spreading,
paleomagnetism, rift valley,
volcanoes, earthquakes,
converging, diverging and
transform plate boundaries,
Modern Earth
Science –
Holt,
Rinehart and
Winston
Pgs. 157 –
191, 345 –
359, 365 –
367, 67 - 92
15 - 20
7) Various identifiable
sedimentary features
exist in the earth.
9) Explain the concept of Isostasy,
Continental Drift and Sea Floor
Spreading (Paleomagnetism) in
regards to what they revel about
the Earth.
8) Metamorphic rocks
form from heat and
pressure and are
classified as foliated or
non-foliated rocks.
10) List the major divisions of
geological time including
significant facts form each era and
period.
9) Early ideas and
findings led to the theory
of plate tectonics.
11) Define plate tectonics.
Describe and diagram all the ways
that tectonic plates move along
boundaries and what causes this
motion. Explain how volcanoes,
earthquakes, mountain, and sea
floor features are related to this
process.
10) Geological time is
divided due to rock and
fossil records.
11) Plate Tectonics is
the theory that explains
the movement of
continents and many
geological features and
occurrences.
between contact and
regional metamorphism
and foliated and nonfoliated rocks?
9) What is the Theory of
Continental Drift?
10) What marks the
major divisions in
geological time?
11) How does Plate
Tectonics explain the
oceanic features, the
movement of continents,
mountains, volcanoes,
and rift valleys?
12) Explain relative dating and the
exceptions to superposition by
ordering rock layers in a diagram.
12) How does the law of
superposition relate to
the process of relative
dating?
13) Explain absolute age,
radioactive elements, index fossils
and half life by completing basic
half-life problems.
13) How does the
concept of half-life relate
to the process of
radioactive dating?
Standards
Competencies
Essential
Questions
3.5.10.A
4.2.10.A, B, C
4.4.10.A, B, c
4.3.10.A, B
4.9.10.A
1) Define various types of
weathering from a description or
situation and describe the factors
that affect their rate.
12) Rocks can be dated
through the law of
superposition.
13) Rocks can be dated
through measuring the
half-life of radioactive
elements.
relative dating, law of
superposition, varve count,
relative dating, absolute
dating, half-life
Soils and Land Use
Big
Ideas
Soil is formed through
weathering and
decomposition.
Soil properties affect
Concepts
1) Rocks weather into
soil by physical and
chemical means at
various rates.
2) Soil is made through
2) Name and describe the
What are the various
types of physical
weathering?
What are the various
types of chemical
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
Weathering, abrasion, ice
wedging, organic activity,
oxidation, carbonization,
hydrolysis, plant acid, acid
precipitation, topography,
surface area, soil, texture,
Modern Earth
Science –
Holt, Rinehart
and Winston
pgs. 219 - 237
Duration
(in days)
10 – 15
land use.
Soil is a natural
resource that is being
lost through erosion and
can be controlled by
conservation methods.
Human population is
determined by available
land use and irrigation.
Plant nutrients found in
soil are essential to
productivity.
decomposition and
weathering and is
comprised of mineral,
humus, air and water
pore space.
3) Mature soils develop
distinct horizons due to
decomposition,
leaching, accumulation,
and weathering.
components of soil. Describe the
qualities of each of the three
texture particles.
3) Name and describe the four
basic soil horizons as well as the
processes that occur in each.
4) Describe the difference
between transported and residual
soil. Define the various types of
transported soil.
4) Soil can be residual
or transported in nature.
5) List key facts, terms, and
occurrences in our country’s
history of erosion.
5) Soil is an important
natural resource and
has been lost by erosion
for land
mismanagement.
6) Recognize types of erosion
through description and apply
appropriate soil conservation
techniques to various erosion
situations.
6). Various conservation
techniques can be used
to minimize the loss of
topsoil from erosion.
7) Define urban sprawl and list its
environmental and economic
effects.
7) Urban sprawl has
multiple detrimental
effects on the economy
and the environment.
8) Human population is
affected by available
food resources and
agriculture techniques.
9) Human population
pyramids can be rapid,
slow, or negative in
growth rate.
10) Nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium,
are essential
8) Explain ways in which
overpopulated countries use
agriculture and irrigation
techniques.
9) Explain the three type of
human population pyramids.
10) Determine and recognize the
various components of the major
nutrients in soil as well as the
effects of pH.
11) Read N-P-K values and
choose an organic and synthetic
fertilizer as well as the various
substances that either raise or
lower pH.
weathering?
What is soil comprised
of and how does it
form?
What is soil texture and
soil structure?
How do soil horizons
form and what are the
characteristics of each
horizon?
How do soils pick up
properties of the
bedrock they weather
from?
How are soils
transported?
How do poor farming
practices lead to erosion
and what was the
significance of the Dust
Bowl?
What are the types of
erosion and what
techniques can be used
to control them?
What causes urban
sprawl to occur and
what are the impacts?
How do overpopulated
countries deal with land
use issues?
What is population
momentum and
structure, humus, sand, silt,
clay, infiltration,
percolation, soil horizons,
decomposition, leaching,
accumulation, bedrock,
transported, residual, loam,
aggregates, alluvial,
colluvial, Aeolian, glacial
till, plow, monocultures,
topsoil, subsoil, parent
material, dust bowl, SCS,
NRCS, soil survey, rill,
gulley, sheet, mass
erosion, silt fences, contour
farming, cover crops,
windbreaks, stripcropping,
diversion terraces, grassed
waterways, salinization,
aquifer, recharge rate,
population momentum,
fertility rate, population
pyramids, green revolution,
N-P-K, organic fertilizer,
synthetic fertilizer, pH,
ground limestone
Environmental
Science –
Person pgs.
198 - 248
components of soil in
regards to plant
productivity.
12) Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of synthetic and
organic fertilizers.
11) There are pros and
cons to synthetic and
organic fertilizers.
population pyramid?
What do nitrogen,
phosphorus, and
potassium provide for
plant?
How do you read N-P-K
values and how to you
adjust your soil with
fertilizers?
Water Quality and Aquatic Environments
Big
Ideas
Concepts
Standards
Pesticides affect the
environment and human
health.
1) Pesticides usage has
had damaging
environmental effects.
Integrated pest
management is the
modern approach to
pest management.
2) Integrated pest
management involves a
variety of techniques of
control pest with less
impact on the
environment.
4.1.10.A, B, C,
D, E
4.3.10.A, B, C
4.5.10.A, B, C
4.9.10.A
3.5.10.D
Water quality is
determined by various
biological, physical, and
chemical parameters.
Pollution can be
categorized as either
point or non-point in
nature.
Aquatic environments
transition biologically
and physically in a
3) Biological, chemical
and physical factors in
an aquatic environment
can be measured to
determine the health of
that environment.
4) Water pollution can
be viewed in two
categories: point source
and non-point source.
Competencies
1) Describe the history of
pesticides and the effects of
chlorinated hydrocarbons on the
environment.
2) Explain the various techniques
of integrated pest management.
3) Explain the major physical and
chemical factors that affect water.
Recognize which values aquatic
organisms would prefer based
and which values would be
considered polluted.
4) Describe the major sources of
water pollution, their effects on the
aquatic systems, and if they are
considered point or non-point
sources.
5) Define terms associated water
purification and common water
Essential
Questions
What were the early
forms of pesticides?
What are chlorinated
hydrocarbons?
What was the
significance of the book
“Silent Spring”?
What are examples of
integrated pest
management?
What are biological
indicators?
What chemical and
physical parameters
determine the health of
a stream?
Vocabulary
Textbook
Pages
Pesticide, herbicide,
insecticides, chlorinated
hydrocarbons, DDT,
persistence, resistance,
bioaccumulation, Rachael
Carson, tolerance levels,
MCL, IPM, pesticides,
D.O., B.O.D, pH, hardness,
nitrates, phosphates,
limestone streams, riparian
buffers, point source
pollution, non-point source
pollution, AMD, Acid
precipitation, thermal
coliform bacteria, indicator
organism,
cryptosporidiosis, giardasis,
potable water, chlorination,
UV light, heat, carbon filter,
superchlorination,
headwater, cold water,
warm water, estuary,
brackish, watershed,
Environmental
Science –
Person pgs.
249 - 330
Duration
(in days)
15 -20
days
watershed.
Wetlands are important
ecosystems to humans
and the environment.
5) Water treatment
involves various
methods to purify water
of pollutants and
pathogens.
pathogens.
6) Explain the concepts of
watersheds and stream order.
Compare the various transitions of
aquatic environments by
comparing their physical and
biological characteristics.
6) Watersheds are the
natural drainage areas
of a region. Streams
transition physically,
chemically, and
biologically.
7) List the characteristics and
types of wetland environments.
Describe the functions and values
of wetlands.
7) Wetland are
characterized by
standing water,
saturated soils, and
hydrophytic vegetation.
In addition to wildlife
habitat, wetlands
provide a host of
ecological functions and
services.
What are examples of
point and non-point
pollution?
stream order, weltand,
hydrophytic, exceptional
value wetland
How can water be made
potable?
What are some common
water pathogens?
How does watershed
management affect
everyone?
What is a wetlands?
What functions and
values do wetlands
provide?
Meteorology
Big
Ideas
Concepts
Meteorology is the study
of the atmosphere.
1) The atmosphere is
comprised mostly of
nitrogen and oxygen
and is divided into
layers based on
changes in temperature.
Solar energy is affected
by the atmosphere and
surface of the earth
creating temperature
and pressure
differences.
Convection of air is wind
and is the driving force
behind global wind cells,
local breezes, and the
2) Air pressure is the
ratio of air molecules to
area and varies
throughout the
atmosphere.
3) The ozone layer
Standards
3.5.10.C
4.3.10.A, B
4.8.10.C
Competencies
1) List all the components of the
atmosphere and describe the
various layers of the atmosphere
including why they change and
their various characteristics.
2) Explain the concept of air
pressure and how it is measured.
3) Explain the significance of the
ozone layer. Explain the problems
with the ozone and the solutions.
4) Order the electromagnetic
Essential
Questions
What gases comprise
the atmosphere?
What are the four layers
of the atmosphere and
what are the
characteristics of each?
What is the equation for
air pressure and what
factors affect it?
What is destroying the
ozone layer and what
Vocabulary
Meteorology, atmosphere,
weather, air pressure,
barometer, aneroid,
mercurial, troposphere,
tropopause, stratosphere,
ozone, CFCs, Montreal
Protocol, mesosphere,
thermosphere, ionosphere,
exosphere, radiation,
adsorption, reflection,
scattering, electromagnetic
spectrum, albedo,
greenhouse effect,
conduction, convection,
Textbook
Pages
Duration
(in days)
Environmental 25 - 35
Science –
Person pgs
90 – 96.
Modern Earth
Science –
Holt, Rinehart
and Winston
pgs. 455 - 519
jet stream.
Air masses, frontal
boundaries, cyclones,
anticyclones, and jet
streams create weather
patterns.
shields life from
ultraviolet radiation but
is thinning from manmade chemical such as
CFCs
4) The electromagnetic
spectrum varies with
intensity in energy due
to the wavelength of
each type of energy.
5) Light and heat in the
atmosphere are
absorbed or reflected by
the ground and
atmosphere.
6) The greenhouse
effect is a natural
process responsible for
the heating of the
planet.
7) Global climate
change may be
occurring due to the
rise in atmospheric
carbon dioxide.
8) Latitude, seasons,
elevation, proximity to
water and absorption
rate create atmospheric
temperature variations.
9) Convection is the
driving force behind
many weather
phenomena.
10) The Coriolis Effect is
the effect of the earth’s
rotation on the planet.
11) Local breezes are
spectrum and explain how and
why each form of energy is
different.
5) Explain the effects of radiation,
scattering, reflection, and
absorption of heat and light in the
atmosphere.
are the effects of its
destruction?
6) Explain the greenhouse effect
in terms of energy and
wavelengths.
Why is the sky blue?
7) Explain the possible
environmental consequences of
global climate change.
8) List factors that cause variation
of temperature on the planet.
9) Define and diagram conduction
and convection and how
convection relates to global and
local winds.
10) Explain how the Coriolis effect
affects global wind cells and the
jet stream.
What is the order of the
electromagnetic
spectrum from long to
short wavelengths?
What is the greenhouse
effect?
What are the possible
consequences of global
climate change?
What factors affect
variation in temperature
across the planet?
How does a convection
cycle work and how
does it relate to global
wind cells?
11) Diagram sea, land, valley and
mountain breezes.
How does the Coriolis
effect alter global
winds?
12) Explain and draw the
saturation curve relating it to
humidity and dew point.
What is the jet stream?
13) Explain and diagram how
clouds form including identification
and descriptions of cloud types.
14) Explain how precipitation is
formed and define the various
types of precipitation.
15) Name, locate, and describe
the seven air masses of North
America.
How does humidity
relate to temperature
and dew point
temperature?
What is dew and frost?
How do clouds form?
How do cumulus,
stratus, and cirrus
high pressure, low
pressure, Hadley cells,
Coriolis effect, trade winds,
prevailing westerlies, polar
easterlies, doldrums, horse
latitudes, jet stream, land
breeze, sea breeze,
mountain breeze, valley
breeze, specific humidity,
water vapor, relative
humidity, dew point,
saturation curve, dew, frost,
condensation, sublimation,
hair hygrometer, sling
psychrometer,
condensation nuclei,
convective cooling,
advective cooling, forceful
lifting, temperature change,
fog, cumulus, stratus,
cirrus, nimbostratus,
stratocumulus, cirrostratus,
cirrocumulus, contrails,
cumulonimbus, cirrostratus,
altostratus, altocumulus,
rain, snow, drizzle, glaze
ice, hail, sleet,
coalescence, supercooling,
air mass, maritime,
continental, polar, tropical,
cold front, quall line, warm
front, occluded front,
stationary front, cyclone,
anticyclone, gust front,
updrafts, downdrafts
stepped leader, isobars,
ridge trough, converging
and diverging jet stream,
tornado, funnel cloud, wall
cloud, Fujita scale, sheet
lightning, heat lightning,
thunder, hurricane,
typhoon, Saffir-Simpson
scale, Bermuda high, storm
surge
createe due to
temperature and
pressure differences
created by land, water,
and elevation.
12) The saturation of
water vapor in the
atmosphere is affected
by air temperature.
13) Clouds are formed
by various methods that
all include the water
condensing on nuclei
when air reaches dew
point temperature.
14) Precipitation is
formed through
coalescence and
supercooling.
15) Air masses are
determined by
temperature and
moisture content.
16) Fronts form when air
masses meet.
17) Isobars and frontal
symbols indicate areas
of high and low
pressure.
18) Cyclones form in
troughs of a wave in the
jets stream and high
pressure forms in the
ridge of the jet stream.
19) Thunderstorms,
tornadoes, and
hurricanes are extreme
weather events with
clouds differ?
16) Diagram and describe cold,
warm, occluded, and stationary
fronts.
17) Interpret weather maps and
symbols.
18) Explain the formation of a
wave cyclone by relating it to a
diverging and converging jet
stream and troughs and ridges in
the jet stream.
19) Diagram and list
characteristics about
thunderstorms, tornadoes, and
hurricanes.
20) Diagram and explain the
creation of lightning and thunder.
How does hail form?
What is supercooling
and coalescence?
What are the four basic
types of air masses?
How do cold, warm,
stationary, and occluded
fronts differ?
How does the jet stream
create weather systems
and patterns?
How do thunderstorms
form?
How do tornadoes and
hurricanes differ?
What creates lightning
and thunder?
specific characteristics.
20) Lighting is electrical
discharge in the
atmosphere.