Grades K-3
Earth and Space Science
Content Standard: 7.0 Earth and Its Place in the Universe
The student will investigate the structure of the universe.
Learning Expectations:
7.2 Recognize that there are predictable patterns which occur in the universe.
Third Grade Benchmarks
Performance Indicator State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.7.spi.1. identify objects found in the day or nighttime sky.
at Level 2, the student is able to
3.7.spi.3. choose the appropriate tool for observing a specific distant object.
at Level 3, the student is able to
3.7.spi.5. identify the components of the solar system (e.g. planets, moons).
Performance Indicator Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.7.tpi..2. determine the tools needed for observing the day and nighttime sky.
at Level 2, the student is able to
3.7.tpi.3. identify the major components of the solar system (e.g., moons, planets).
Content Standard: 9.0 Earth Features
The student will understand that the earth has many geological features that are constantly changing.
Learning Expectation:
9.1 Identify the earth’s major geological features.
Third Grade Benchmarks
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.9.spi.1. identify the labelled part of a map or illustration as a continent, ocean, lake, river, mountain, or island.
at Level 2, the student is able to
3.9.spi.2. select the illustration that identifies a specific geological feature.
at Level 3, the student is able to
3.9.spi.3. identify a geological feature given specific information.
Performance Indicators Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.9.tpi.1. identify various types of land and water environments.
at Level 2, the student is able to
3.9.tpi.2. classify landforms and bodies of water according to their geologic features.
3.9.tpi.3. compare two different geological formations.
Physical Science
Content Standard: 11.0 Forces and Motion
The student will investigate the effects of force on the movement of objects.
Learning Expectations:
11.1 Realize the basic concept that forces can move objects (push/pull).
11.2 Observe and predict how the weight of an object and its position affect balance.
Third Grade Benchmarks
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.11.spi.1. identify that an unbalanced force is needed to change the direction of an object.
Performance Indicators Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
3.11.tpi.1. differentiate between push and pull by moving objects in different directions.
3.11.tpi.2. demonstrate the effect of a force on the movement of an object.
Grades 4-5
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Content Standard: 7.0 Earth and Its Place in the Universe
The student will investigate the structure of the universe.
Learning Expectations:
7.1 Know that objects in space have identifiable characteristics, such as appearance, location, and apparent motion.
7.2 Investigate the patterns and movement of objects in space.
Performance Indicator State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
4.7.spi.1 determine the order of the planets according to their distance from the sun.
Performance Indicator Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
4.7.tpi.1 illustrate and distinguish among the components of the solar system, (i.e., stars, planets, asteroids, meteors).
at Level 2, the student is able to
4.7.tpi.2 depict planets according to their distance from the sun.
4.7.tpi.3 use appropriate instruments to study objects in the sky.
Content Standard: 9.0 Earth Features
The student will understand that the earth has many geologic features that are constantly changing.
Learning Expectations:
9.1 Recognize that the earth’s geological features change.
9.2 Know that the earth is composed of different layers.
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
4.9.spi.1 recognize specific geological features.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Content Standard: 11.0 Forces and Motion
The student will investigate the effects of force on the movement of objects.
Learning Expectations:
11.1 Recognize that gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the earth.
11.2 Recognize the relationship between force and motion.
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
4.11.spi.1 select factors that have the greatest effect on the motion of an object.
at Level 2, the student is able to
4.11.spi.2 recognize the effects of gravity.
at Level 3, the student is able to
4.11.spi.4 determine how speed affects distance traveled over time.
Performance Indicator Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
4.11.tpi.1 demonstrate push and pull as forces that move objects.
at Level 2, the student is able to
at Level 3, the student is able to
4.11.tpi.4 study the relationship between forces and motion.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Content Standard: 7.0 Earth and Its Place in the Universe
The student will investigate the structure of the universe.
Learning Expectations:
7.1 Know that objects in space have identifiable characteristics, such as appearance, location, and apparent motion.
7.2 Investigate the patterns and movement of objects in space.
Performance Indicator State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 2, the student is able to
5.7.spi.2 distinguish among the planets according to specific characteristics.
5.7.spi.3 identify the force that pulls object toward the Earth.
5.7.spi.4 differentiate between the Earth’s rotation and its revolution.
at Level 3, the student is able to
5.7.spi.5 recognize that the appearance of an object in the sky is affected by its size, motion, and distance from the earth.
Performance Indicator Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 2, the student is able to
5.7.tpi.2 demonstrate the difference between rotation and revolution in the solar system.
at Level 3, the student is able to
5.7.tpi.3 design a model that illustrates how the appearance of an object in the sky is affected by its size, motion, and distance from the earth.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Standard Number: 11.0 Forces and Motion
The student will investigate the characteristic properties of matter.
Learning Expectations:
11.1 Recognize that gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the earth.
11.2 Recognize the relationship between force and motion.
11.3 Recognize that the motion of objects is affected by friction.
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
5.11.spi.1 identify the effect that gravity has on objects found on or near the earth’s surface.
at Level 2, the student is able to
5.11.spi.2 determine the effect of slope and friction on the speed of an object.
Performance Indicators Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
5.11.tpi.1 investigate and describe gravity as a force in nature.
5.11.tpi.2 describe the effect that gravity has on objects found on or near the earth’s surface.
Grades 6-8
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Content Standard: 7.0 Earth and Its Place in the Universe
The student will investigate the structure of the universe.
Learning Expectations:
7.1 Recognize the basic components of the universe.
7.2 Investigate the relative distances of objects in space.
7.3 Explore the positional relationships among the earth, moon, and sun.
7.4 Understand that gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs movement in the solar system.
7.5 Explore the role of technology and careers associated with the study of space.
Performance Indicator State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
6.7.spi.2 identify the force that pulls objects toward the earth.
6.7.spi.3 differentiate between planets according to specific characteristics.
at Level 2, the student is able to
6.7.spi.4 categorize the components of the universe (i.e. stars, planets, comets, asteroids, meteors).
at Level 3, the student is able to
Performance Indicator Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
6.7.tpi.1 make a model of the solar system that emphasizes the correct order of the planets and their distance from the sun.
at Level 2, the student is able to
6.7.tpi.4 research and communicate information about the composition, surface features, and conditions of all the planets in the solar system.
6.7.tpi.7 construct a timeline of the history of space exploration.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Standard Number: 11.0 Forces and Motion
The student will investigate the effects of force on the movement of objects.
Learning Expectations:
11.1 Distinguish between speed and velocity.
11.2 Demonstrate an understanding of Newton’s three laws of motion.
11.3 Identify factors that influence gravitational force between objects.
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
8.11.spi.1 recognize that forces cause changes in speed and/or the direction of motion.
at Level 2, the student is able to
8.11.spi.3 recognize the relationship between mass, force and acceleration.
8.11.spi.4 identify the relationship between the mass of objects, the distance between them and the amount of gravitational attraction
at Level 3, the student is able to
8.11.spi.6 identify Newton's three laws of motion and relate the first two laws to the concepts of inertia and momentum.
8.11.spi.7 solve problems pertaining to distance, speed, velocity, and time, given illustrations, diagrams, graphs, or scenarios.
Performance Indicators Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
8.11.tpi.1 investigate how slope affects the amount of force required to move an object along a ramp.
at Level 2, the student is able to
8.11.tpi.2 find the mass of various objects using SI or metric units.
8.11.tpi.3 demonstrate the relationship between speed and velocity.
at Level 3, the student is able to
8.11.tpi.5 model or demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion.
8.11.tpi.6 solve problems pertaining to distance, speed, velocity, and time.
Grades 9-12
Earth Science
Standard Number: 1.0 Earth System
Standard: The student will investigate the origin, composition, and structure of the universe.
Learning Expectations:
The student will
1.1 explore the theories of the origin of the universe and its vastness.
1.2 examine the components of the solar system.
1.3 examine the sun, earth, moon relationships and their gravitational effects.
1.4 investigate the exploration of space.
Performance Indicators:
At Level 1, the student is able to
identify the components of the universe: galaxies, solar systems, stars, planets, meteors, comets, and asteroids.
investigate the history of space exploration.
At Level 2, the student is able to
explore recent developments in space exploration.
explore the benefits of space technology in our everyday lives.
At Level 3, the student is able to
compare and contrast earth to other planets in our solar system.
research a career related to Earth systems such as: astronomer, astronaut, planetary geologist, aerospace engineer, and astrophysicist.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Course Description
Physical Science is a course that explores the relationship between matter and energy. The student will investigate the following:
Force and Motion
Structure and Properties of Matter
Interactions of Matter
Energy
It is the expectation that students will experience the content of Physical Science through inquiry learning. Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities should constitute a major portion of the learning experience. Using available technology, students will investigate forces and motion, the chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter and energy interact within the natural world, and the forms and properties of energy. Conservation of matter and energy is an underlying theme throughout the course. Physical Science will provide the knowledge, prerequisite skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision making about matters of scientific and technological concern. Physical science provides a basic foundation for advanced studies in chemistry and physics.
Standard Number: 1.0 Force and Motion
Standard: The student will explore the concepts of force and motion.
Learning Expectations:
The student will
1.1 investigate the relationship between speed, velocity, and acceleration.
1.2 analyze and apply Newton’s three laws of motion.
1.3 relate gravitational force to mass and distance.
1.4 demonstrate the relationship between work, power, and machines.
1.5 examine the law of conservation of momentum in everyday situations.
Performance Indicators State:
As documented through state assessment,
at Level 1, the student is able to
distinguish between speed and velocity, given a scenario.
relate inertia, force, or action-reaction forces to Newton’s three laws of motion given an illustration or a diagram.
distinguish between mass and weight, given examples using SI units.
at Level 2, the student is able to
calculate velocity, given distance and time; acceleration, given velocity and time; force, given mass and acceleration; work, given force and distance; or power, given work and time, using the provided formulas.
distinguish among the three laws of motion, given a scenario.
choose the correct illustration that relates the effects of gravity on the motion of falling bodies, tides or satellites.
at Level 3, the student is able to
Performance Indicators Teacher:
As documented through teacher observation,
at Level 1, the student is able to
create a situation that differentiates between speed and velocity.
model Newton’s three laws of motion.
research various definitions of mass and weight.
at Level 2, the student is able to
collect data, and construct, analyze and interpret graphs pertaining to distance, speed, velocity and time.
solve application problems related to velocity, acceleration, force, work, and power using appropriate units of measurement.
evaluate scenarios illustrating the three laws of motion.
demonstrate the effects of gravity on objects.
write a reflection on a demonstration on the law of conservation of momentum.
research careers that involve forces of motion.
