SCIENCE CURRICULUM MAPPING-Unit Plan
Timeline
Subject/Grade
Course Content
Topic
5 days
Physical Geology
Plate Tectonics
Structure of Earth
Science Inquiry and- Application
During the years of grades 9 through 12, all students must use the following scientific processes with appropriate laboratory safety techniques to
construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas:
• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
• Design and conduct scientific investigations;
• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
• Communicate and support a scientific argument.
Looking Back
Looking Forward
This unit builds upon the middle school Earth and Space Science strand
(beginning in grade 6). Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks are
introduced, rocks and minerals are tested and classified, plate tectonics
(including the history and evidence for plate tectonics), seismic waves and the
interior structure of Earth and the geologic record are found. In the middle
school Life Science strand, fossils and depositional environments are
included. In the physical science syllabus, support for density, convection,
conductivity, motion, kinetic energy, radiometric dating, seismic waves,
thermal energy, pressure and gravity are presented.
Content Standards
PG.PT.3
PG.PT.4
PG.PT.5
PG.PT.6
PG.PT.7
PG.IMSR.3
Key Ideas



Earth's Interior
Earth's Gravity
Earth's Magnetism
Content Elaboration
At the high school level, Earth’s interior and plate tectonics must be investigated at greater depth using models, simulations, actual seismic data, real-time data,
satellite data and remote sensing. Relationships between energy, tectonic activity levels and earthquake or volcano predictions, and calculations to obtain the
magnitude, focus and epicenter of an earthquake must be included. Evidence and data analysis is the key in understanding this part of the Earth system. For
example, GIS/GPS and/or satellite data provide data and evidence for moving plates and changing landscapes (due to tectonic activity).
The magnetic properties of Earth must be examined through the study of real data and evidence. The relationship of polar changes, magnetic stripping, grid
north, true north and the north pole must be included in the study of Earth’s magnetic properties.
Misconceptions
Earth's Structure:
Crust and Lithosphere (or plates) are synonymous terms
Asthenosphere is liquid (students are only familiar with liquid convection, not solid convection, many secondary education earth science films also
specifically refer to a molten internal layer, and some fundamentalist religious groups specifically refer to the existence of a molten layer that is
hell's physical location).
Lower Mantle is liquid (for reasons similar to above).
Earth's core is hollow, or that large hollow spaces occur deep within Earth (a relict of older cosmology and a mainstay of popular literature and
Hollywood movies)
The Earth's core acts like a permanent bar magnet
Instructional Input
Materials for Labs and Activities:
Instructional Resources: Details of materials to support instruction and learning
x Text:Modern Earth Science. Page #:__ Chapter 2 _ _
Safari Montage:__________________________
Graphic Organizers:
_
Vocabulary ____________
Manipulative: _________
Mandatory Labs:
_________
Activities: __________________________
x Other: page 45 in text__________________________
_
______________
Additional Resources
Password Protected : http://www.akronschools.com/dotCMS/login?referrer=/departments/ci/teaching-and-learning/science/curriculum/teacher-resources.dot
Topic Outline/Objectives
Procedures: Details of the sequence of instruction
Lesson 1: Standards: PG.PT.3 PG.PT.4 PG.PT.5 PG.PT.6 PG.IMSR.3
Objectives:
Resource: Modern Earth Science, Chapter 2 section 1
List the characteristics of the earth's interior
Lesson2: Standard: PG.PT.7
Resource: Modern Earth Science, Chapter 2 section 1
and page 45 in text
Objectives: Define magnetosphere and identify the possible source of the earth's magnetism. Discuss the difference between geomagnetic
North Pole and Geographic North Pole.
Lesson 3: Standards: PG.PT.7
Objectives: Summarize Newton's law of gravitation.
Resource: Modern Earth Science, Chapter 2 section 1