Landforms Big Ideas
Systems
Inquiry
Application
Complex
Systems
Planning
Investigations
Different
Technologies
Analyze a
system in terms
of subsystems
functions as well
as inputs and
outputs.
Plan different kinds of
investigations, including
field studies, systematic
observations, models,
and controlled
experiments.
Define technologies and
the technological design
process to understand
the use of technology in
different cultures and
career fields.
ES2 Earth
Processes
Formation
of Earth Materials
Earth materials are
formed by various
natural processes
and can be used in
different ways.
ES3 Earth History
Focus
on Fossils
Fossils provide
evidence that
environments of the
past were quite
different from what
we observe today.
Why Big Ideas: Research shows students learn science by building on a limited number of unifying ideas.
Landforms
How and why is the earth constantly changing?
What is the evidence for what the earth was like in the past and what it might be in the future?
FOSS
Standards
School Yard
Models
Schoolyard
Models
INQF Models
APPE Building Models
SYSA Systems
View From Above
INQF Models
SYSA Systems
Mapmaking
INQF Models
APPE Building Models
SYSA Systems
Stream Tables
Erosion
INQB Investigations
ES2C Erosion
ES2B Weathering
Deposition
ES2D Soils and
Deposition
6-8 ES2G Landforms
INQG Evidence
Go with the Flow
Slope
INQB Investigate
4-5 ES2D Soils and
Deposition
Flood
INQB Investigate
4-5 PS1B Speed
Focus Question/ PE
Focus: Models
What kinds of models do scientists
use to study the world?
Maps, Physical Models, Computer
Models
Focus: Models
Compare and contrast two different
models of the schoolyard.
Physical vs. Map
Focus: Systems
Use common map subsystems to
build a map of the schoolyard.
Scale, Grid, Key Symbols
Focus: Erosion
How are erosion and weathering
different?
Weathering = breakdown of rock
Erosion = movement of rock
Focus: Erosion Landforms
What landforms are evidence of
river erosion?
Canyons and deltas are evidence of
river erosion.
Focus: Inquiry
How does slope affect erosion?
Slope increases erosion.
Focus: Inquiry
What variables increase the rate of
erosion by rivers?
Example: Speed and Volume of
Water
Big Idea Question
What are the many ways
scientists share
information?
What are the many ways
scientists share
information?
What makes a map
system valuable?
How do all the variety of
earth materials form?
How and why is the
earth constantly
changing?
How do scientists find
answers to the questions
they have?
How do scientists find
answers to the questions
they have?
Landforms Big Ideas
FOSS
Designing an
Investigation
Standards
INQB Investigate
LS2F People Change
Ecosystems
Kit Addition
Fossil Evidence
4-5 ES3A Fossils
4-5 ES3B Fossil
Inferences
Extinction or
Adaptation
4-5 LS3D Fossil
Evidence
INQG Evidence
Build a Mountain
Topographic Map
INQF Models
APPE Building Models
SYSA Systems
Drawing a Profile
INQF Models
APPE Building Models
FOSS Creek Map
INQD Collecting Data
INQH Communicating
Data
Bird’s Eye View
Mt. Shasta
SYSA Systems
APPC Problem Solving
Aerial Photos
APPG Technology
Improves Our Lives
Death Valley and
Grand Canyon
APPC Problem Solving
Investigation
INQB Investigate
Focus Question/ PE
Focus: Inquiry
Design and investigation that tests
for a variable that affects erosion.
Focus: Fossils
How do we know what the Pacific
Northwest was like millions of years
ago?
Fossil Evidence
Focus: Fossil Evidence
What does fossil evidence of horses
tell us about how they adapted to
changes in their environment?
Students use evidence for their
explanations.
Focus: Systems Models
What systems can be used to model
elevation on a map?
Contour lines or color.
Focus: Models
Use a topographic map to diagram a
profile of Mt Shasta.
Focus: Inquiry
Use map data to plan for building a
trail.
Focus: Problem Solving
Use a map to answer a question or
solve a problem.
Focus: Application
Describe how aerial photos or
satellite maps improve our lives.
Focus: Application
Use map and aerial photos to solve
problems.
Focus: inquiry
Investigate a question about
landforms.
Big Idea Question
How do scientists find
answers to the questions
they have?
What does fossil
evidence tell us about the
location it was collected?
Do you have evidence for
your explanation?
What are the many ways
scientists share
information?
How do scientists and
engineers work together
to solve problems?
Do you have evidence for
your explanation?
How many different ways
are there to solve each
problem?
How do engineers and
scientists solve problems
effectively?
How do engineers and
scientists solve problems
effectively?
How do scientists find
answers to the questions
they have?