GRADE 9
Science
KNOX COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Pacing Guide Part A
Earth and Space Science
2011-2011
Unit 1 – Dynamic Planet
12 Instructional Weeks 1-4
Learning Check 1
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will explain the real-life phenomena caused by the convection of the Earth’s mantle.
 Students will predict the consequences of this motion on humans and other living things on the planet.
 Students will research the historical rise in acceptance of the theory of Plate Tectonics and the
geological/biological consequences of plate movement.
Vocabulary: Continental Drift, Pangaea, Mid-ocean Ridge, Rift Valley, Sea-floor Spreading, Plate
Tectonics, Convection, Subduction, Convergent Boundary, Divergent Boundary, Transform Fault
Boundary, Volcanism, Hot Spot, Viscosity, Shield Volcano, Cinder Cone, Composite Cone, Earthquake,
Fault, Focus, Seismic Waves, Epicenter, P (primary) Wave, S (secondary) Wave, Surface Wave,
Seismograph, Seismogram, Moment Magnitude, Liquefaction, Tsunami, Seismic Gap, Moho
(Mohoroviscic Zone of Discontinuity), Mechanical Weathering, Biological Activity, Unloading, Frost
Wedging, Chemical Weathering, Acid Rain, Erosion
Unit 2 – Geologic Time
12 Instructional Weeks 5-8
Learning Check 2
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will compare the limitations/benefits of various techniques (radioactive dating, observing rock
sequences and comparing fossils) for estimating geologic time.
 Students will compare methods used to measure the ages of geologic features.
 Students will justify deductions about age of geologic features.
 Students will explain how technological solutions permit the study of phenomena too faint, small,
distant or slow to be directly measured.
Vocabulary: Uniformitarianism, Superposition, Relative Age Dating, Original Horizontality, CrossCutting, Index Fossil, Varve, Unconformity, Dendrochronology, Absolute Age Dating, Radioactive
Decay, Radiometric Dating, Half-life, Radiocarbon Dating, Fossil, Cast, Mold, Trace Fossil, Mineral
Replacement, Original Preservation, Fossil Succession, Geologic Time Scale, Era, Eon, Period, Epoch,
Precambrian, Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Cenozoic Era, Extinct, Mass Extinction, Evolution,
Gymnosperm, Angiosperm, Photosynthesis, Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes
Knox County Board of Education
2011
GRADE 9
Unit 3 – Earth Systems & Energy
12 Instructional Weeks 9-12
Science
Learning Check 3
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will describe the connections between the functioning of the Earth system and its sources of
energy (internal & external).
 Students will predict the consequences of changes to any component of the Earth system.
 Students will analyze a variety of energy sources, their potential uses and their relative costs/benefits.
 Students will model and explain the relationships and energy flow existing in various Earth systems.
Vocabulary: System, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Geosphere, Energy Flow, Law of
Conservation, Radiant Energy, Renewable Resources, Nonrenewable Resources, Fossil Fuels,
Biogeochemical Cycle, Reservoir, Water Cycle, Evaporation, Transpiration, Condensation,
Precipitation, Absorption, Runoff, Nitrogen Cycle, Nitrogen Gas, Nitrogen Fixation, Decomposers,
Amino Acids, Proteins, Bacteria, Legumes, Nitrogen Fixing, Carbon Cycle, Carbon Dioxide, Biomass,
Respiration, Organic Decay, Combustion, Photosynthesis, Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming
Knox County Board of Education
2011
GRADE 9
Science
KNOX COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Pacing Guide Part B
(Part A taught first)
Earth and Space Science
2011-2012
Unit 4 – Climate & Weather
12 Instructional Weeks 13-16
Learning Check 4
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will explain the cause and effect relationship between global climate and weather patterns and
energy transfer (cloud cover, location of mountain ranges, oceans).
 Students will predict the consequences of changes to the global climate and weather patterns.
 Students will model and explain the relationships and energy flow existing in various Earth systems.
 Students will use weather data to model the complex interactions responsible for weather and climate.
Vocabulary: Solar Energy, Radiation, Heat, Temperature, Energy Transfer, Reflection, Scattering,
Absorption, Cloud Cover, Albedo, Arctic Melt, Deep Ocean Circulation, Density Currents, Conveyer
Belt, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Exosphere, Ozone, Meteorology, Weather,
Air Mass, Front, Cold Front, Stationary Front, Occluded Front, Ozone, Storm Surge, Hurricane,
Tornado, Thunderstorm, Severe Storm, Climate, Isotherm, Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming,
Deforestation, Slash & Burn, Industrial Pollution
Unit 5 – Universal Forces
12 Instructional Weeks 17-20
Learning Check 5
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will explain phenomena (falling objects, planetary motion, satellite motion) related to gravity.
 Students will describe the factors that affect gravitational force.
 Students will explain the role of gravity in the formation and function of the universe.
 Students will investigate, describe and document patterns of interaction of matter and gravity.
 Students will describe the current scientific theory of the formation of the universe (Big Bang) and its
evidence.
 Students will analyze the supporting evidence for the Big Bang theory of formation of the universe.
 Students will analyze the supporting evidence for the nebular theory of formation of the solar system
 Students will compare methods used to measure the ages of geologic features.
 Students will explain how technological solutions permit the study of phenomena too faint, small,
distant or slow to be directly measured.
Vocabulary: Gravity, Matter, Mass, Weight, Gravitational Force, Kepler’s Law, Nebular Theory,
Nebula, Planetesimal, The Big Bang Theory, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Meteorite,
Knox County Board of Education
2011
GRADE 9
Science
Light Years, Radio Telescopes, Hubble Space Telescope, Reflecting Telescopes, Refracting Telescopes
Unit 6 – Stellar Evolution
12 Instructional Weeks 21-
Learning Check 6
Skills & Concepts:
 Students will explain the origin of the heavy elements in planetary objects (planets, stars).
 Students will explain the role of gravity in the formation and function of the universe.
 Students will describe the life cycle of stars and the products/consequences of their deaths.
Vocabulary: Stellar Evolution, Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, Main-sequence Star, Red Giant,
Supergiant, Cepheid Variables, Nova, Nebulae, Protostar, Supernovae, White Dwarf, Neutron Star,
Pulsar, Black Hole, Heavy Elements
Knox County Board of Education
2011