Unit 1: Composition of the Earth’s Crust (2 Weeks)

Topic Content	Skills: “Students will be able to…”	Core Curriculum Major Understandings	Major Assessments
What are rock forming minerals, and how do we identify them? How can we measure the density of Earth Materials? How are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock formed, and how do we identify them? How are rocks cycled in nature?	Identify the characteristics of matter. Explain the importance of chemical bonds. Identify the characteristics of minerals. Explain how minerals form. List the physical characteristics of minerals that are influenced by their crystalline structure. Compare renewable and nonrenewable resources. Determine the densities of known materials. Compare/contrast the density of continental oceanic rock. Differentiate among the three major types of rocks. Distinguish between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks and how they form. Explain the relationship between crystal size and cooling time. Understand interlocking crystals. Distinguish among the types of sedimentary rocks and how they form. Explain; the processes involved in the formation of metamorphic rocks. Differentiate among different kinds of metamorphic rocks. Learn how to use the ESRT chart for mineral and rock identification. Compare/contrast the processes in the rock cycle (using the ESRT)	2.1m Many processes of the rock cycle are consequences of plate dynamics. These include the production of magma (and subsequent igneous rock formation and contact metamorphism) at both subduction and rifting regions, regional metamorphism within s;ubduction zones, and the creation of major depositional basins’ through down-warping of the crust. 2.1w Sediments of inorganic and organic origin often accumulate in depositional environments. Sedimentary rocks form when sediments are compacted and/or cemented after burial or as the result of chemical precipitation from seawater. 3.1a Minerals have physical properties determined by their chemical composition and crystal structure. -Minerals can be identified by well-defined physical and chemical properties, such as cleavage, fracture, color, density hardness, streak, luster, crystal shape and reaction with acid. -Chemical composition and physical properties determine how minerals are used by humans. 3.1b Minerals are formed inorganically by the process of crystallization as a result of specific environmental conditions. These include: -cooling and solidification of magma -precipitation from water caused by such processes as evaporation, chemical reactions, and temperature changes -rearrangement of atoms in existing minerals subjected to conditions of high temperature and pressure. 3.1c Rocks are usually composed of one or more minerals. -Conditions that existed when a rock formed can be inferred from the rock’s mineral content and texture. -The properties of rocks determine how they are used and also influence land usage by humans.	Lab 4 (Classification of Earth Materials) 90 min Lab 5 (Properties of Minerals) 90 min Lab 6 (Igneous Rock Identification) 90 min Lab 7 (Sedimentary Rock Identification) 90 min Lab 8 (Metamorphic Rock Identification) 90 min Lab 9 (Rock Cycle) 90 min Unit Exam

Unit II: The Dynamic Crust (2 Weeks)

Topic Content	Skills: “Students will be able to	Core Curriculum Major Understandings	Major Assessments
How do we know the crust has moved? What is an earthquake? How do seismologist locate an epicenter of an earthquake? What is the structure of the Earth’s interior? Why do continents move? What happens when tectonic plates collide? Why do so many earthquakes occur in California? How was the Atlantic Ocean formed? How do geologist explain hot spot volcanoes?	List direct/indirect evidence of crustal movement Describe evidence of continental drift. Define terms regarding earthquakes Explain measurement of earthquake energy Compare and contrast earthquake waves Interpret inferred properties of earth’s interior using earthquake time travel chart Explain the cause of plate tectonics Describe the types and features of plate boundaries Locate and identify plate boundaries and tectonic features.	2.1a Earth systems have internal and external sources of energy, both of which create heat. 2.1b The transfer of heat energy within the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and Earth’s interior results in the formation. 2.1j Properties of Earth’s internal structure (crust, mantle, inner core, and outer core) can be inferred from the analysis of the behavior of seismic waves (including velocity and refraction). -Analysis of seismic waves allows the determination of the location of earthquake epicenters and the measurement of earthquake magnitude; this analysis leads to the inference that Earth’s interior is composed of layers that differ in composition and states of matter. 2.1k The outward transfer of Earth’s internal heat drives convective circulation in the mantle that moves the lithosphere plates comprising Earth’s surface. 2.1l The lithosphere consists of separate plates that ride on the more fluid asthenosphere and move slowly in relationship to one another, creating convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries. These motions indicate Earth is a dynamic geologic system. -Compared to continental crust, ocean crust is thinner and denser. New ocean crust continues to form at mid-ocean ridges. -Earthquakes and volcanoes present geologic hazards to humans. Loss of property, personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness. 2.1m Many processes of the rock cycle are consequences of plate dynamics. These include the production of magma (and subsequent igneous rock formation and contact metamorphism) at both subduction and rifting regions, regional metamorphism within subduction zones, and the creation of major depositional basins through down-warping of the crust. 2.1n Many Earth’s surface features such as mid-ocean ridges/rifts, trenches/subduction zones/island arcs, mountain ranges (folded, faulted and volcanic), hot spots, and the magnetic and age patterns in surface bedrock are a consequence of forces associated with plate motion and interaction. 2.1o Plate motions have resulted in global changes in geography, climate and the patterns of organic evolution. 2.1p Landforms are the result of the interaction of tectonic forces and the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition.	Lab 19 (Patterns of Crustal Activity) 90 min Lab 20 (Crustal Boundaries) 90 min Lab 21 (Sea Floor Spreading) 90 min Lab 22 (Finding Epicenters) 90 min Lab 23 (Properties of Earth’s Interior) 90 min Lab 24 (Continental Drift) 90 min Unit Exam

Unit III: Surface Processes – Weathering and Erosion (1.5 Weeks)

Topic Content	Skills: “Students will be able to”	Core Curriculum Major Understandings	Major Assessments
Where does rain come from? What happens to rainwater after it reaches the ground? How does water infiltrate the soil? How do rocks weather? What factors affect the rate of weathering? How does gravity transport weathered rock debris? How do ocean waves and currents erode the coast?	Explain the out gassing and the water cycle Explain the movement of water through the ground Compare and contrast methods of physical and chemical weathering List the end products of weathering Explain how different climates, particle sizes and composition and exposure affect weathering processes Define and list the agents of erosion Understand the importance of gravity in erosional/depositional systems and give examples Explain the mechanism of wind erosion/deposition Explain the mechanism of erosion and deposition by ocean waves and currents Recognize features of erosional/depositional systems.	1.2e Earth’s early atmosphere formed as a result of the outgassing of water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and lesser amounts of other gases from its interior. 1.2f Earth’s oceans formed as a result of precipitation over millions of years. The presence of an early ocean is indicated by sedimentary rocks of marine origin, dating back about 4 billion years ago. 12.g Earth has continuously been recycling water since the outgassing of water early in its history. This constant recirculation of water at and near Earth’s surface is described by the hydrologic (water) cycle. -Water is returned from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface by precipitation. Water returns to the atmosphere by evaporation or transpiration from plants. A portion of the precipitation becomes runoff over the land or infiltrates into the ground to become stored in the soil or groundwater below the water table. Soil capillarity influences these processes. -The amount of precipitation that seeps into the ground or runs off is influenced by climate, slope of the land, soil, rock type, vegetation, land use, and degree of saturation. -Porosity, permeability, and water retenstion affect runoff and infiltration. 2.1p Landforms are the result of the interaction of tectonic forces and the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition. 2.1s Weathering is the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks at or near Earth’s surface. Soils are the result of weathering and biological activity over long periods of time. 2.1t Natural agents of erosion, generally driven by gravity, remove, transport, and deposit weathered rock particles. Each agent of erosion produces distinctive changes in the material that it transports and creates characteristic surface features and landscapes. In certain erosional situations, loss of property, personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness. 2.1u The natural agents of erosion include: -Streams (running water): Gradient, discharge, and channel shape influence a stream’s velocity and the erosion and deposition of sediments. Sediments transported by streams tend to become rounded as a result of abrasion. Stream features include V-shaped valleys, delta, flood plains, and meanders. A watershed is the area drained by a stream and its tributaries. -Glaciers (moving ice): Glacial erosional processes include the formation of U-shaped valleys, parallel scratches, and grooves in bedrock. Glacial features include moraines, drumlins, kettle lakes, finger lakes and outwash plains. -Wave Action: Erosion and dposition cause changes in shoreline features, including beaches, sandbars, and barrier islands. Wave action rounds sediments as a result of abrasion. Waves approaching a shoreline move sand parallel to the shore within the zone of breaking waves. -Wind: Erosion of sediments by wind is most common in arid climates and along shorelines. Wind-generated features include dunes and sand blasted bedrock. -Mass Movement: Earth materials move downslope under the influence of gravity.	Lab 10 (Stream Abrasion) 90 min Lab 11 (Stream flow) 90 min Lab 12 (Deposition of Sediments) 90 min Lab 13 (Model of an Erosion-Depositional system) 90 Lab 16(Coastal Processes) 90 min Lab 17 (Alpine and continental Glaciers)90 min Unit Exam

Unit III/B Surface Processes – Erosional – Depositional Systems (1 Week)

Topic Content	Skills: “Students will be able to…”	Core Curriculum Major Understandings	Major Assessments
How do streams transport materials? What factors affect the shape of a stream? How do stream deposits form? How do deltas and alluvial fans differ? What are glaciers and how do they act as erosional agents? How do glaciers affect the landscape? What were the effects of the Ice Age?	Define and calculate gradient Explain the factors that affect stream velocity and particle transport Describe the stages of stream development Compare and contrast factors which affect rates of deposition such as density, shape, size and energy loss Describe horizontal and vertical sorting Differentiate between deltas and alluvial fans Explain glacier formation Recognize types and parts of glaciers Describe glacial motion Understand the erosional and depositional effect of glaciations on landscapes Recognize glacial erosional/depositional features Explain the effect of the Ice Ages on NYS	2.1p Landforms are the result of the interaction of tectonic forces and the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition. 2.1v Patterns of deposition result from a loss of energy within the transporting system and are influenced by the size, shape and density of the transported particles. Sediment deposits may be sorted or unsorted. 2.1w Sediments of organic and organic origin often accumulate in depositional environments. Sedimentary rocks form when sediments are compacted and or cemented after burial or as the result of chemical precipitation from seawater.	Lab 18 (Interpreting Landscapes Using Maps) 90 min Profiles Lab 13 (Model of an Erosion-Depositional system) 90 Unit Exam

Unit IV: Landforms and Topographic Maps (1.5 Week)

Topic Content	Skills: “Students will be able to…”	Core Curriculum Major Understanding	Major Assessments
What landscapes are found in New York State? How do we see hill, valleys, gradient and profiles on a topographic map? What factors affect landscape development? How do drainage patterns reveal landscape regions? How have humans affected the landscape?	Understand how landscapes are classified Identify NYS landscape regions Interpret and apply isolines on topographic maps Draw profiles of topographic maps, calculate gradient and draw isolines Define uplift and leveling events Compare/contrast bedrock structure for mountains plateaus and plains Explain the effect of climate on landscape development Identify the main watersheds/drainage basins of NYS and the USA How does human population growth affect pollution Discuss efforts to restore the environment	2.1q Topographic maps represent landforms through the use of contour lines that are isolines connecting points of equal elevation. Gradients and profiles can be determined from changes in elevation over a given distance. 2.1r Climate variations, structure, and characteristics of bedrock influence the development of landscape features including mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, ridges escarpments, and stream drainage patterns	Lab 14 (Earth’s Shape) 90 min Lab 18 (Interpreting Landscapes Using Maps) 90 min Profiles Draw Isolines