ACALANES UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted: 6/4/03 SCIENCE Subject Area COURSE TITLE: Geology COURSE CODE: S0704P GRADE LEVEL: Grades 10-12 COURSE LENGTH: 1 year PREREQUISITE: Biology CREDIT: 10 units UC/CSU CREDIT: Meets UC/CSU for laboratory physical science credit, d GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Meets physical science requirement for graduation STANDARDS AND : Geology Standards: 1.0-9.0 Investigation and Experimentation: 1.INV.2 1.INV.12 COURSE DESCRIPTION: COURSE GOALS: Geology is designed to help students understand the relationship of man and the physical environment. Students will investigate geologic phenomena and acquire laboratory skills involving mineral and rock identification, geophysics, geomorphology, geologic history, mapping, plate tectonics, astronomy, oceanography and meteorology. The student will: 1. Deeper appreciation for and understanding of earth and space processes and the connections and interactions among them 2. Understanding of the interactive relationship between humans and their environment 3. Awareness of critical environment issues 4. Understand of scientific inquiry and enhanced critical thinking 5. Scientifically literate citizens 6. Teaching the content outlined in the district standards and benchmarks TETBOOK MATERIALS: Earth Science: Geology, the Environment and the Universe; Glencoe, 2002. TEACHER RESOURCES: 1. Numerous websites (USGS, NASA, SETI, major universities) 2. Glencoe teacher support materials 3. Community resources (Chabot Observatory, etc.)
EARTH S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE Content STANDARD 1 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT ASTRONOMY AND PLANETARY EPLORATION REVEAL THE SOLAR SYSTEM S STRUCTURE, SCALE, AND CHANGE OVER TIME. N/A 1.0 Selected Constructed /Product 13 % of 1.1 Knows how the differences and similarities among the sun, the terrestrial planets, and the gas planets may have been established during the formation of the solar system. 1.1 1.2 Knows the evidence from geological studies of Earth and other planets suggest that the early Earth was very different from Earth today. 1.3 Knows the evidence indicating that the planets are much closer to Earth than the stars are. 1.4 Knows the sun is a typical star and is powered by nuclear reactions, primarily the fusion of hydrogen to form helium. 1.2 1.3 1.4 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 2 of 18
1.5 Knows that evidence from Earth indicates 1.5 that the solar system was formed from a nebular cloud of dust and gas approximately 4.6 billion years ago. 1.6 Knows the evidence for the dramatic effects that asteroid impacts have had in shaping the surface of planets and their moons and in mass extinctions of life on Earth. 1.E.1 EPERT BENCHMARK 1.7 Knows the evidence for the existence of planets orbiting other stars. STANDARD 2 1.E.2 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT EARTH- BASED AND SPACE-BASED ASTRONOMY REVEAL THE STRUCTURE, SCALE, AND CHANGES IN STARS, GALAIES, AND THE UNIVERSE OVER TIME. 2.1 Knows the solar system is located in an outer edge of the disc-shaped Milky Way galaxy, which spans 100,000 light years. N/A 2.0 Selected Constructed /Product 2.1 13 % of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 3 of 18
2.2 Knows galaxies are mode of billions of stars and comprise most of the visible mass of the universe. 2.3 Knows that stars differ in their cycles and that visual, radio, and -ray telescopes may be used to collect data that reveal those differences. 2.4 Knows the evidence indication that all elements with an atomic number greater than that of lithium have been formed by nuclear fusion in stars. 2.5 Knows the evidence indicating that the color, brightness, and evolution of a star are determined by a balance between gravitational collapse and nuclear fusion. 2.6 Knows how the red-shift from distant galaxies and provide evidence for the big bang model that suggests that the universe has been expanding for 10 to 20 billion years. 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 4 of 18
EPERT BENCHMARK 2.7 Knows accelerators boost subatomic particles to energy levels that simulate conditions in the stars and in the early history of the universe before stars formed. DYNAMIC EARTH PROCESSES STANDARD 3 2.E.1 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT PLATE TECTONICS OPERATING OVER GEOLOGIC TIME HAS CHANGED THE PATTERNS OF LAND, SEA, AND MOUNTAINS ON EARTH S SURFACE. 3.1 Knows features of the ocean floor (magnetic patterns, age, and sea-floor topography) provide evidence of plate tectonics. 3.2 Knows the principal structures that form at the three different kinds of plate boundaries. N/A 3.0 Selected Constructed /Product 3.1 3.2 30% of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 5 of 18
3.3 Explains the properties of rocks based on the 3.3 physical and chemical conditions in which they formed, including plate tectonic processes. 3.4 Knows why and how earthquakes occur and the scales used to measure their intensity and magnitude. 3.5 Knows there are two kinds of volcanoes: one kind with violent eruptions producing steep slopes and the other kind with voluminous lava flows producing gentle slopes. 3.6 Knows the explanation for the location and properties of volcanoes that are due to hot spots and the explanation for those that are due to sub-duction. 3.4 3.5 3.6 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 6 of 18
ENERGY IN THE EARTH SYSTEM STANDARD 4 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT ENERGY ENTERS THE EARTH SYSTEM PRIMARILY AS SOLAR RADIATION AND EVENTUALLY ESCAPES AS HEAT. N/A 4.0 Selected Constructed /Product, Personal Communi -cation 3 % of 4.1 Knows the relative amount of incoming solar energy compared with Earth s internal energy and the energy used by society. 4.E.1 4.2 Knows the fate of incoming solar radiation in terms of reflection, absorption, and photosynthesis. 4.3 Knows the different atmospheric gases that absorb the Earth s thermal radiation and the mechanism and significance of the greenhouse effect. 4.1 4.2 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 7 of 18
EPERT BENCHMARK 4.4 Knows the differing greenhouse conditions on Earth, Mars, and Venus; the origins of those conditions; and the climatic consequences of each. STANDARD 5 4.E.2 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT THE HEATING OF EARTH S SURFACE AND ATMOSPHERE BY THE SUN DRIVES CONVECTION WITHIN THE ATMOSPHERE AND OCEANS, PRODUCING WINDS AND OCEAN CURRENTS. 5.1 Knows how differential heating of Earth results in circulation patterns in the atmosphere and oceans that globally distribute the heat. 5.2 Knows the relationship between the rotation of Earth and the circular motions of ocean currents and air in pressure centers. 5.3 Knows rain forests and deserts on Earth are distributed in bands at specific latitudes. N/A 5.0 Selected Constructed /Product 5.1 5.2 5.3 3 % of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 8 of 18
5.4 Knows the origin and effects of temperature 5.4 inversions. 5.5 Knows properties of ocean water, such as temperature and salinity, can be used to explain the layered structure of the oceans, the generation of horizontal and vertical ocean currents, and the geographic distribution of marine organisms. 5.5 5.6 Knows the interaction of wind patterns, ocean currents, and mountain ranges results in the global pattern of latitudinal bands of rain forests and deserts. 5.6 EPERT BENCHMARK 5.7 Knows features of the ENSO (El Nino southern oscillation) cycle in terms of seasurface and air temperature variations across the Pacific and some climatic results of this cycle. STANDARD 6 5.E.1 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT CLIMATE IS THE LONG-TERM AVERAGE OF A REGION S WEATHER AND DEPENDS ON MANY FACTORS. N/A 6.0 Selected Constructed /Product 15 % of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 9 of 18
6.1 Knows weather (in the short run) and climate (in the long run) involve the transfer of energy into and out of the atmosphere. 6.E.1 Personal Communication 6.2 Knows the effects on climate of latitude, elevation, topography, and proximity to large bodies of water and cold or warm ocean currents. 6.3 Knows how Earth s climate has changed over time, corresponding to changes in Earth s geography, atmospheric composition, and other factors, such as solar radiation and plate movement. 6.1 6.E.2 EPERT BENCHMARK 6.4 Knows how computer models are used to predict the effects of the increase in greenhouse gases on climate for the planet as a whole and for specific regions. STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE 6.E.3 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 10 of 18
STANDARD 7 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT LIFE HAS CHANGED EARTH S ATMOSPHERE, AND CHANGES IN THE ATMOSPHERE AFFECT CONDITIONS FOR LIFE. 7.1 Knows the thermal structure and chemical composition of the atmosphere. 7.2 Knows how the composition of Earth s atmosphere has evolved over geologic time and knows the effect of out-gassing, the variations of carbon dioxide concentration, and the origin of atmospheric oxygen. 7.3 Knows the location of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, its role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation, and the way in which this layer varies both naturally and in response to human activities. N/A 7.0 Selected Constructed /Product Personal Communi -cation 7.1 7.E.1 7.2 3 % of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 11 of 18
HISTORICAL GEOLOGY STANDARD 8 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND PROCESSES IN THE EARTH S PAST HAVE BEEN LEARNED BY STUDYING ROCKS AND FOSSILS. 8.1 Knows and can apply the laws of super position to interpret geologic history from rock outcrops. 8.2 Knows how dating techniques (i.e., radioactive decay) are used to determine the age of rocks. CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY STANDARD 9 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT THE GEOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA UNDERLIES THE STATE S WEALTH OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS WELL AS ITS NATURAL HAZARDS. N/A 8.0 Selected Constructed /Product 8.1 8.2 N/A 9.0 Selected /Product Personal Communi -cation 10% of 8% of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 12 of 18
9.1 Knows the resources of major economic 9.1 importance in California and their relation to California s geology. 9.2 Knows the principal natural hazards in 9.2 different California regions and the geologic basis of those hazards. 9.3 Knows the importance of water to society, the origins of California s fresh water, and the relationship between supply and need. 9.3 EPERT BENCHMARK 9.4 Analyzes published geologic hazard maps of California and know how to use the map s information to identify evidence of geologic events of the past and predict geologic changes in the future. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES STANDARD 10 9.E.1 STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT EACH ELEMENT ON EARTH MOVES AMONG RESERVOIRS, WHICH EIST IN THE SOLID EARTH, IN OCEANS, IN THE ATMOSPHERE, AND WITHIN AND AMONG ORGANISMS AS PART OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES. N/A Personal Communi -cation 2 % of Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 13 of 18
10.1 Knows the carbon cycle of photosynthesis and respiration and the nitrogen cycle. 10.2 Knows the global carbon cycle: the different physical and chemical forms of carbon in the atmosphere, oceans, biomass, fossil fuels, and the movement of carbon among these reservoirs. 10.3 Knows the movement of matter among reservoirs is driven by the Earth s internal and external sources of energy. EPERT BENCHMARK 10.4 Knows the relative residence times and flow characteristics of carbon in and out of its different reservoirs. INVESTIGATION AND EPERIMENTATION STANDARD 1 Investigation STUDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT SCIENTIFIC N/A 1.0 Selected Integrated PROGRESS IS MADE BY ASKING MEANINGFUL throughout QUESTIONS AND CONDUCTING CAREFUL Constructed the year INVESTIGATIONS. /Product Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 14 of 18
1.INV.1 Selects and uses appropriate tools and technology (such as computer-linked probes, spreadsheets, and graphing calculators) to perform tests, collect data, analyze relationships, and display data. 1.INV.2 Identifies and communicates sources of unavoidable experimental error. 1.INV.3 Identifies possible reasons for inconsistent results, such as sources of error or uncontrolled conditions. 1.INV.4 Formulates explanations by using logic and evidence. 1.INV.5 Solves scientific problems by using quadratic equations and simple trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. 1.INV.6 Distinguishes between hypothesis and theory as scientific terms. 1.INV.7 Recognizes the usefulness and limitations of models and theories as scientific representations of reality. 1.INV.2 1.INV.3 1.INV.5 1.INV.6 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 15 of 18
1.INV.8 Reads and interprets topographic and 1.INV.7 geologic maps. 1.INV.9 Analyzes the locations, sequences, or time intervals that are characteristic of natural phenomena (e.g., relative ages of rocks, locations of planets over time, and succession of species in an ecosystem) 1.INV.10 Recognizes the issues of statistical variability and the need for controlled tests. 1.INV.11 Recognizes the cumulative nature of scientific evidence. 1.INV.12 Analyzes situations and solves problems that require combining and applying concepts from more than one area of science. 1.INV.13 Investigates a science-based societal issue by researching the literature, analyzing data, and communicating the findings. irradiation of food cloning of animals by somatic cell transfer choice of energy sources land and water use decisions in California 1.INV.8 1.INV.10 1.INV.11 1.INV.12 Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 16 of 18
1.INV.14 Knows that when an observation does not agree with an accepted scientific theory, the observation is sometimes mistaken or fraudulent (e.g., the Piltdown Man fossil or unidentified flying objects) and that the theory is sometimes wrong (e.g., the Ptolemaic model of the movement of the sun, moon, and planets) Last printed 8/25/2003 2:36 PM Page 17 of 18
GEOLOGY TEACHING STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES Lecture Lab Videos Fieldtrips Quest speakers Service learning projects Research computer labs Simulations Peer teaching GRADING GUIDELINES See AUHSD Grade Guidelines: Final Mark Rubric and Final Course Mark Determination Components.