Science
Updated August 1, 2010
Earth and Space Sciences
NM Strand, Standard, Benchmark –
Performance Standard
II, III, II-4
Describe the composition (i.e., nitrogen,
oxygen, water vapor) and strata of Earth's
atmosphere, and differences between the
atmosphere of Earth and those of other
planets
II, III, II – 5
Understand factors that create and influence
weather and climate, including:
 heat, air movement, pressure,
humidity, oceans
 how clouds form by condensation of
water vapor
 how weather patterns are related to
atmospheric pressure
 global patterns of atmospheric
movement (e.g., El Niño)
 factors that can impact Earth's
climate (e.g., volcanic eruptions,
impacts of asteroids, glaciers).
II, III, II-6
Understand how to use weather maps and
data (e.g., barometric pressure, wind speeds,
humidity) to predict weather.
Atmospheric Processes and the Water
Cycle
Sixth Grade
Complex
Simple
The student will be able to:
The student will know:

describe the composition of earth’s
atmosphere (i.e. nitrogen, oxygen, water
vapor)

heat, air movement, pressure, humidity,
oceans and how their related to weather


layers of the atmosphere
describe the strata of earth’s atmosphere


state the differences between the layers
of atmosphere of earth and those of other
planets
global patterns of atmospheric
movement (e.g. El Nino, trade winds,
easterlies and westerlies)


factors that affect earth’s climate (e.g.
volcanic eruptions, impacts of asteroids,
glaciers)
understand factors that create and
influence weather

how weather patterns are related to
atmospheric pressure

understand how to use weather maps and
data to predict weather
The student will recognize and recall the
following Six Step vocabulary words:


Barometric pressure
Layers of the atmosphere