Block Island School
Earth and Space Science
2011-2012
Dr. Susan Gibbons
Course Description
This course focuses on discovery of the features of our world and the forces that influence Earth
and our universe over time, as well as the scientific skills needed for the study of earth and space.
Topics will include scientific measurement and process, earth mapping, atmosphere and weather,
chemistry and earth’s resources, magnetism, earth’s history and rocks, the changing earth,
earthquakes and volcanoes, water and solutions, water systems, how water shapes the land, the solar
system, stars, and exploring the universe. Each unit will include investigative labs, and students will
keep an ongoing science log that tracks their work and ideas over time. Students will have the
opportunity to learn to assemble and use a telescope, and will also participate in the Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), a web-based interactive network that
collects nationally used data for natural resource, education and research applications. In
partnership with the 8th grade class, students will also “adopt” an ocean drifter device associated
with a University of Rhode Island Oceanography project, and track the progress of their drifter over
time.
Textbook
Physical, Earth and Space Science: An Integrated Approach (CPO Science 2010) and accompanying
investigation and resource materials.
Website: www.blockisland.net. Assignments and announcements will be posted on the school
website and in the classroom. A web-based grading program will also be used so that students and
parents can check grades and class progress on a regular basis- passwords and information about
how to access this system will be provided at the start of the school year.
Grading Policy
Assessment will include the science logbook, homework, laboratory investigations, quizzes, tests,
projects, presentations, and writing assignments.
• Class grades will be based on attentiveness/participation, completion of the science
logbook, lab investigations, written assignments, quizzes and tests, and special projects.
• Homework is due the next school day after it is assigned. Late homework will lose point
values for up to 2 days, after which it may not be accepted. Obviously copied homework,
or homework completed during class time will be assigned a grade of “O”.
• Specific due dates for lab reports, writing assignments, and other projects will be
provided. Late assignments will lose point values for up to 2 school days after the due
date, after which they may not be accepted.
• Extra credit opportunities may be offered for students who show strong effort overall but
wish to improve specific assessment grades. Extra credit is not meant to replace or
improve grades for incomplete or missing assignments.
Earth and Space Science
Learning Objectives
2011-2012: Units and Topics
Unit 1
Science Skills
Chapter 1 Measurement
1-1: Measurement Define measurements
Compare English and SI measurement and become
familiar with metric prefixes
Distinguish accuracy, precision, and resolution
Explain the meaning of time in a scientific sense
1-2: Time and
Distance
Discuss how distance is measured and use a metric ruler to
measure distance
Describe the units used to measure distance in space
Apply the decimal point rule to convert between metric
1-3: Converting
Units
quantities
Use dimensional analysis to convert English and SI
measurements
Determine the number of significant digits in
measurements
1-4: Measurement Use graphs to create a visual representation of data
and Graphing
Analyze trends of a graph
Explain the difference between a direct relationship and
an inverse relationship
Chapter 2 The Scientific
Process
2-1: Inquiry and the Apply deductive reasoning skills to solve problems
Scientific Method
Contrast hypotheses, theories and laws
2-2: Experiments
and Variables
Explore the scientific process and apply steps of the
scientific method
Define experiment
Contrast experimental and control variables
Discuss how experiments are carried out and the
importance of communicating results
Chapter 3 Mapping Earth
3-1: Position,
coordinates and
maps
Describe an object’s position relative to a
reference point
Distinguish lines of longitude and latitude
3-2: Topographic
maps
Analyze a map to determine scale, direction and specific
location
Construct a topographic map and describe its features
Use relevant vocabulary, like relief and elevation, to
describe map features
Describe the role of technology in topographic mapping
advances over time
3-3: Bathymetric
maps
Discuss how depth is illustrated on a bathymetric map
Compare and contrast topographic and bathymetric maps
Explore the role of echo sounding in the construction of
bathymetric maps
Chapter 11 Earth’s
Atmosphere and
Weather
11-1: Speed and
velocity
11-2: Weather
variables
11-3: Weather
patterns
Describe the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and
make comparisons between Earth’s atmosphere and other
planets
Explain the meaning of air pressure and describe the
instruments used to measure it
Identify the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere and discuss
unique characteristics of each layer
Explain the causes of weather
Discuss the role of convection in moving air through the
Earth’s atmosphere
Describe the characteristics of Earth’s major climate
regions
Define front and contrast warm and cold fronts
Discuss the weather conditions associated with highpressure and low-pressure systems
Describe the characteristics of clouds and predict the
weather based on the appearance of clouds
Chapter 15 Chemistry and
Earth’s Resources
Trace the pathways by which elements are recycled into
15-1: Chemical
Cycles
nature
Identify specific processes associated with chemical cycles
Discover how living organisms within ecosystems are
affected by or interact with Earth’s chemical cycles
Define climate change and describe factors that influence
15-2: Global
Change and Climate global climate change
Explain the greenhouse effect
Research and discuss public policy initiatives designed to
combat negative effects of global climate change
Chapter 17 Magnetism
17-1: Properties of Identify properties of magnetic materials and use
magnets
interactions between magnets to explain attraction and
replusion
Describe the source of the Earth’s magnetism
Explain how a compass works
17-2:
Electromagnets
Define electromagnet
Build a simple electromagnet
Compare permanent magnets and electromagnets
17-3: Electric
motors and
generators
Describe the role of electromagnetism in the function of
electric motors and generators
Contrast energy transformations in electric motors and
generators
Explain the principle of electromagnetic induction
17-4: Generating
Electricity
Review the meaning of mechanical power and liken it to
electrical power
Compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable
sources of electrical energy
Discuss methods of electrical conservation
Chapter 18 Earth’s history and
rocks
18-1: Geologic time Discuss the events associated with periods of Earth’s
history
Apply knowledge of isotopes to explain how radiometric
dating is used to find out Earth’s age
Analyze cross-sections and cores of trees to learn about
their histories and ages
Compare and contrast methods of relative dating
18-2: Relative
Dating
Discover the contributions of scientists whose theories
help to develop modern geology
Explain the importance of fossils in understanding Earth’s
history
Describe the properties of minerals and explain how
18-3: The Rock
Cycle
minerals are formed
Apply Mohs hardness scale to identify minerals
Explore the pathways of the rock cycle
Chapter 19 Changing Earth
19-1: Inside Earth Explain how seismic waves are used to study Earth’s
interior
Describe the characteristics of layers inside Earth
Apply existing knowledge of density and convection to
describe Earth’s interior layers
Discuss hypotheses which ultimately led to plate tectonics
19-2: Plate
tectonics
theory
Explain the relationship between magnetic reversal
patterns and scientists’ understanding about plate
movement
Use plate tectonic theory to make predictions about
Earth’s future
Characterize plate boundaries
19-3: Plate
Boundaries
Relate geologic processes and features to specific plate
boundaries
Locate areas where certain boundaries are likely to form
19-4: Metamorphic Define metamorphism
rocks
Identify characteristics of metamorphic rocks
Differentiate regional and contact metamorphism
Chapter 20 Earthquakes and
volcanoes
20-1: Earthquakes Describe the plate interactions that cause earthquakes
Discuss the types of information scientists learn from
seismograms
Compare and contrast the scales used to measure and
describe earthquakes
Identify locations where volcanoes are most likely to form
20-2: Volcanoes
Explain the factors involved in volcanic eruptions
Evaluate the features of different types of volcanoes
20-3: Igneous
Rocks
Explain how igneous rocks are formed
Distinguish intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks
Describe the relationship between crystallization in rocks
and where the rocks are found
Chapter 21 Water and
Solutions
21-1: Water
Describe water in terms of its polarity
Discuss properties of water related to hydrogen bonding
Explain why water is a good solvent
21-2: Solutions
Explain how solutions are formed
Define solubility and interpret solubility graphs
Describe factors that affect the concentration of solutions
Compare and contrast solubility of solid, liquid and
gaseous matter
21-3: Acids, bases Differentiate acids and bases
and pH
Define pH
Explain the significance of acids, bases and pH to living
organisms and the environment
Chapter 22 Water Systems
22-1: Water on
Earth’s surface
Identify places where water is found on Earth
Contrast the distribution of freshwater and saltwater
Discuss the many beneficial uses of water
22-2: The Water
Cycle
Trace the path of water on Earth’s surface
Describe the processes involved in recycling Earth’s water
Explain how volcanic activity contributes to the water
cycle
22-3: Oceans
Discuss the effect of temperature and salinity on Earth’s
oceans
Distinguish features of the ocean floor
Compare and contrast the effects of surface currents and
deep ocean currents
Chapter 23 How water shapes
the land
23-1: Weathering Define weathering and erosion
and erosion
Distinguish between mechanical and chemical weathering
23-2: Shaping the
land
Apply knowledge of forces to explain how sediment is
moved
Tell what makes a river and describe its features
Discuss how rivers and glaciers move sediment
Use a model to describe how sediment is sorted by water
Analyze the role of glaciers in the formation and
topography of Block Island
23-3: Sedimentary
rocks
Describe the role of weathering and erosion in creating
sedimentary rock
Explain how the relative age of sedimentary rock layers
can be determined
Identify features of sedimentary rocks
Chapter 26 The Solar System
26-1: Motion and
the Solar System
Explain the significance of gravity in maintaining the solar
system
Distinguish Sun-centered and Earth-centered models of
the solar system
Explain the current model of the solar system
26-2: Motion and Define the lunar cycle
Astronomical cycles
Differentiate solar and lunar eclipses
Explain what causes seasons
Describe the impact of the moon on tides
26-3: Objects in the Explore theories about how the Moon was formed
Solar System
Compare and contrast properties of planets
Identify features of objects (other than the Sun, Moon and
planets) in our solar system
Chapter 27 Stars
27-1: The Sun
Explore the properties of the Sun
Identify unique zones of the Sun and describe what
happens in each area
Discuss applications of solar energy
27-2: Stars
Compare the sun to other stars
Interpret an H-R diagram
Explain how stars are classified
27-3: The Life
Cycles of Stars
Chapter 28 Exploring the
Universe
28-1: Tools of
Astronomers
Describe the events that occur at different stages in the
life-cycle of stars
Apply knowledge of nuclear fusion to explain how
elements are created in stars
Discuss the significance of spectroscopy in classifying stars
Apply formulas to solve astronomy problems
Discuss the significance of the Hubble Space Telescope
Compare and contrast reflecting and refracting telescopes
28-2: Galaxies
28-3: Theories
about the Universe
Classify galaxies according to shape
Examine the features of the Milky Way galaxy
Tell how astronomers determine the distances between
objects in space
Explore theories about the origin of the universe
Discuss the evidence in support of the Big Bang theory
Describe planetary systems