th
Course: Unit 1 “Inside the Earth”
Textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer – Georgia Earth Science (pages 80-110, 118-124, 146-
149, and 350-356 )
Unit Overview:
Surface and subsurface processes that are involved in the formation and destruction of earth materials are identified in this unit.
Standards:
S6E3. Students will recognize a significant role of water in Earth’s processes.
c. Describe the composition, location, and subsurface topography of the world’s oceans.
S6E5a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature, density, and composition.
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
e. Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on the earth’s surface
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption, gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).
g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.
Objectives (What are OUR goals, and what will YOU learn in this unit?):

Compare & contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core in terms of temperature, density & composition.

Describe the theory of continental drift and describe the supporting evidence.
 Explain what Pangaea was.

Explain the basics of the theory of plate tectonics.

Explain what is meant by the terms “lithosphere” and “asthenosphere”, and the difference between them in terms of plate tectonics.
 Name, locate, and describe the three types of plate boundaries.

Relate the movement of plates at three different boundaries to the resulting geological event or landform.
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Describe what convection currents are, how they form, and how they move.

Explain how convection currents are related to plate tectonics.
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Explain what is meant by “seafloor spreading”, and how it provides evidence of continental drift and plate tectonics.

Locate and identify the main features of the ocean floor.
Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Projects)

Weekly Vocabulary Quiz (formative)

Concept Quiz “Earth’s Layers and Convection Currents” (summative)
 Concept Quiz “Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes” (summative)

Unit 1 Summative Test (summative)
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Unit 1 Culminating Project (summative) – Create an “Inside the Earth” brochure
 crust
 mantle
 core
 density
 composition
 convection
 convection current
 Pangaea
 continental drift
 fossils
 lithospheric plates
 plate tectonics
 plate boundary
 convergent boundary
 divergent boundary
 transform boundary
 faults
 volcano
 earthquake
 mountain
 rift valley

Ring of Fire
 sea-floor spreading
 mid-ocean ridge
 subduction
 deep-ocean trench (trench)
 subsurface topography
 sonar
 guyot
 continental shelf
 seamount
 continental slope
 abyssal plain