Course 2001020 Advanced Earth Science 6th Grade
Curriculum Extension
The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities for the study of general concepts, theories
and processes relating to the earth/space sciences, and their applications through exploratory
investigations and activities.
The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. the nature of science
2. astronomy
3. the Earth as a system
4. weather
5. the ocean’s environment
6. the formation and properties of rocks and minerals
Florida’s Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners Goals:
By graduation, the student identified as gifted will be able to:
Goal 1: critically examine the complexity of knowledge: the location,
definition, and organization of a variety of fields of knowledge.
Goal 2: create, adapt, and assess multifaceted questions in a variety of
fields/disciplines.
Goal 3: conduct thoughtful research/exploration in multiple fields.
Goal 4: think creatively and critically to identify and solve real-world
problems.
Goal 5: assume leadership and participatory roles in both gifted and
heterogeneous group learning situations.
Goal 6: set and achieve personal, academic, and career goals.
Goal 7: develop and deliver a variety of authentic products/performances
that demonstrate understanding in multiple fields/disciplines.
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Curriculum Extension
Project Standards/Benchmarks and Goals/Objectives
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards1
SC.912.E.7.3: Differentiate and describe the
various interactions among Earth systems,
including: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere,
geosphere, and biosphere.
FL Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners
Goal 3, Obj. 2: Manipulating Information
Trait: Information in Multiple Contexts (Know):
Identifies and locates information in a multitude of
places, including newspapers, magazines, catalogues,
Internet directories, time schedules, and media, all of
which include local, state, national, and/or
international sources
Goal 4, Obj. 3: Problem Solving
Trait: Communication (Understand): Uses multiple tools
and techniques to target identified audiences; uses
precise language to explain positions
Goal 4, Obj. 2: Analyze Data
Trait: Forecasting Solutions (Understand):Organizes
facts and information using various methods to predict
potential outcomes
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The Sunshine State Next Generation Standards and FL Frameworks referenced in this Project Outline are meant as an
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overview and do not constitute an exhaustive list of the standards covered in this Advanced Earth/Space 6 Grade class. For a
complete list of the standards covered in the course, see the course description for course 2001020 Advanced Earth/Space
th
Science 6 Grade at the FL Department of Education. The web site address is:
<http://www.floridastandards.org/Courses/CourseDescriptionSearch.aspx>
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It’s Your Choice: Which Earth System Should We Get Rid of?
Benchmark Number: SC.912.E.7.3
Benchmark Description: Differentiate and describe the various interactions among Earth systems,
including: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
The Earth systems are interrelated, and a change in one can greatly affect the others.
Unfortunately, the Earth can no longer support all of these systems. You will have to decide
which one we will get rid of, and hopefully you will chose the one that will cause us the least
amount of harm when it is removed.
Your process is broken down into three parts to make it easier for you to make a good
decision.
Resources
You can use these websites or any other resources you want.
http://tinyurl.com/ydd6g3a
http://tinyurl.com/3bbmztf
(search for any of the systems)
http://tinyurl.com/3qbautw
http://tinyurl.com/3g349dt
http://tinyurl.com/3z2pp7t
1.
Define each of the following Earth systems.
Atmosphere:
Hydrosphere:
Cryosphere:
Geosphere:
Biosphere:
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2.
Give a specific example (in words or in a picture) that shows what can happen when the two
Earth systems interact.
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
X
Hydrosphere
X
X
Cryosphere
X
X
X
Geosphere
X
X
X
Geosphere
Biosphere
X
Which Earth system would you definitely NOT want to get rid of? Give two reasons why.
3. Which Earth system are we going to get rid of? Give two reasons why.
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