MOBILE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DIVISION OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
HIGH SCHOOL BLOCK SCHEDULE PACING GUIDE AT A GLANCE
2015-2016
Subject:
Quarters
1&3
Objective #
1.0
1&3
2.0
1&3
2.1
1&3
2.2
1&3
2.3
1&3
2.4
1&3
3.0
1&3
3.1
1&3
3.2
1&3
3.3
1&3
4.0
1&3
4.1
1&3
4.2
1&3
5.0
1&3
5.1
1&3
5.2
1&3
6.0
1&3
6.1
1&3
6.2
1&3
7.0
1&3
7.1
1&3
7.2
Earth Science
Objective
Describe sources of energy, including solar, gravitational, geothermal,
and nuclear.
Describe effects on weather of energy transfer within and among the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.
Describe the processes that allow solar energy to be absorbed by and
transferred through the atmosphere.
Describe the energy transfer related to condensation in clouds,
precipitation, winds, and ocean currents.
Describe how the “greenhouse effect” warms the planet.
Describe the forces that cause wind, and explain the motions of wind
around areas of high/low pressure.
Describe how air pressure, temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric
moisture are measured.
Describe how areas of high and low pressure are formed.
Describe the layers of the atmosphere and identify them based on the
meteorological properties associated with each.
Describe the role of moisture in the atmosphere, and explain how
moisture is transported throughout the environment.
Explain the formation of dew, frost & fog as it relates to atmospheric
moisture and humidity.
Explain the role of atmospheric stability in the development of clouds, and
identify the different cloud types based on appearance and height.
Identify the various types of precipitation, and describe how each is
formed.
Describe the various types of air masses, how they form, and the source
regions associated with each of them.
Describe the formation of a frontal boundary, and identify the four types of
fronts and the weather phenomenon associated with each.
Describe the two types of cyclonic systems, and the weather & wind
patterns associated with each. Describe the typical structure of a midlatitude cyclone.
Use weather maps to interpret and discuss active weather and current
weather patterns.
Use contours to analyze air pressure, temperature, and wind patterns on
a weather map.
Use visible/infrared satellite images and radar data to identify and track
weather systems.
Describe the life cycle of a typical thunderstorm and identify the various
features associated with thunderstorms.
Describe how supercell thunderstorms form, and how they differ from
ordinary thunderstorms.
Describe the life cycle of a tornado, and use the EF scale to categorize
tornadoes. Discuss tornado frequency across the contiguous United
States.
Describe the internal anatomy of a hurricane. Identify the features found
inside a hurricane and their properties. Explain how air pressure and
hurricane intensity are related.
Describe the life cycle of a hurricane and the conditions needed for
development & growth.
Describe the effects of a hurricane as it makes landfall.
MOBILE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DIVISION OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
HIGH SCHOOL BLOCK SCHEDULE PACING GUIDE AT A GLANCE
2015-2016
Subject:
1&3
8.0
1&3
1&3
8.1
8.2
2&4
2&4
9.0
9.1
2&4
9.2
2&4
2&4
10.0
10.1
2&4
10.2
2&4
11.0
2&4
12.0
2&4
12.1
2&4
2&4
13.0
14.0
2&4
14.1
2&4
15.0
2&4
15.1
2&4
2&4
16.0
17.0
2&4
17.1
2&4
17.2
2&4
17.3
Earth Science
Describe how climate is classified and the environments associate with
each type of climate.
Explain how weather patterns affect climate.
Describe the history of Earth’s climate throughout geologic time.
Describe current climate trends, and factors that may be contributing to
them.
Describe the characteristics of the El Niño and La Niña Phenomena.
Describe the production and transfer of stellar energies
Describe the relationship between life cycles and nuclear reactions of
stars
Describe how the reception of solar radiation is affected by atmospheric
and lithospheric conditions including volcanic eruptions and greenhouse
gases affecting reflection and absorption of solar radiation.
Relate Hubble’s law to the concept of an ever-expanding universe.
Discuss various theories for the origin, formation, and changing nature of
the universe and our solar system including the nebular hypothesis for
formation of planets, the big bang theory, and the steady state theory
Describe the impact of meteor, asteroid, and comet bombardment on
planetary and lunar development.
Explain the length of a day and of a year in terms of the motion of Earth
and the relationship of the seasons to the tilt of Earth’s axis and its
revolution about the sun
Explain techniques for determining the age of Earth and the universe
using radiometric age methods and expanding universe measurements.
Identify and explain techniques for determining the composition of Earth,
and the universe and objects in space
Explain the terms astronomical unit and light year.
Relate the life cycle of stars to the H-R diagram including the relationship
of star color, brightness, and evolution to the balance between
gravitational collapse and nuclear fusion
Explain indicators of motion by the stars and sun in terms of the Doppler
effect and red and blue shifts
Identify scientists and their findings relative to Earth and space, including
Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.
Identify classical instruments used to extend the senses and increase
knowledge of the universe, including optical telescopes, radio telescopes,
spectroscopes, and cameras.
Describe pulsars, quasars, black holes, and galaxies.
Describe challenges and required technologies for space exploration in
regards to travel needs and life support
Describe challenges and required technologies for space exploration in
regards to propulsion for space travel.
Describe challenges and required technologies for space exploration in
regards to communication technologies, observatories, space-based
telescopes, and probes.
Identify benefits to the quality of life that have been achieved through
space advances.