Science+Level+6+Essential+Learnings

= Essential Learnings and Indicators of Success =

**EL 1** Students will apply science inquiry processes to solve problems, make predictions, conduct experiments, and explain observations.

 * 1) Use scientific skills to identify a question or problem.
 * 2) Develop a testable hypothesis or make an inference based on observation.
 * 3) Conduct a lab or experiment by measuring correctly, identifying the control and experimental group, analyzing results, and developing
 * 4) a meaningful conclusion.

**EL 2** Students will identify, compare, and predict how Earth's surface changes over time.

 * 1) Identify how the topography or landscape of an area is formed (i.e. formation of mountains,rivers, oceans, lakes, valleys, desserts, caves, prairies, forests, and glaciers).
 * 2) Develop and apply strategies to reduce erosion, weathering, and deposition using specificmaterial and design.
 * 3) Explain and give specific examples of how the processes of weathering, erosion, anddeposition are effected by gravity, water, wind, and glaciers.
 * 4) Explore the three types of rocks and their movement through the rock cycle.
 * 5) Describe the relationship between rocks, minerals, soil formation, topography, and different geological time periods.
 * 6) Describe how the movement of plate boundaries and Earth's interior create geological events and change the topography.
 * 7) Describe how local topography has changed over time and predict how it will continue to change over time.

**EL 3** Students will identify how atmospheric changes and interactions create weather.

 * 1) Construct and use weather tools (psychrometer, barometer, and anemometer) and explainhow the measurements from those tools tell us information about Earth's atmosphere.
 * 2) Identify and explain the properties of each layer of the atmosphere.
 * 3) Explain the three ways heat is transferred and its role in heating up the atmosphere.
 * 4) Identify and predict how pressure, energy, humidity, wind, temperature, air masses, fronts,and cloud type can lead to a change in weather.
 * 5) Identify the components of climate and weather.

**EL 4** Students will identify and judge various ways humans interact and affect the environment.
> importance of water conservation.
 * 1) Relate how factors in the environment, such as the Greenhouse Effect, lead to climate change.
 * 2) Describe the differences between renewable and nonrenewable forms of energy and their impact on the sustainability of ecosystems and society. Identify alternative forms of energy and their benefits and limitations at providing energy to societies.
 * 3) Investigate how erosion, soil degradation, and habitat destruction impact society.
 * 4) Trace the path of our drinking water, waste water, and waste stream and determine the

**EL 5** Students will explore the interactions and connections within our solar system and Universe.

 * 1) Draw conclusions about the interactions between the Sun, Earth, and Moon based on observations and models.
 * 2) Describe how the moon appears to go through "phases."
 * 3) Describe how a solar and lunar eclipse occur.
 * 4) Describe how the seasons occur and explain the difference between indirect and direct sunlight.
 * 5) Identify and describe the planets in our solar system and their atmospheres.
 * 6) Describe how our solar system is part of the Universe.
 * 7) Identify the various stages in a star's life cycle.
 * 8) Describe how we use technology to make discoveries of distant objects.
 * 9) Identify and describe comets, asteroids, and meteors.
 * 10) Explore the development and growth of the Space Program.

**EL 6** Students will explore their own model of the water cycle including how it affects oceans, glaciers, rivers, ground water, drinking water, and the atmosphere.

 * 1) Explain how the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation contribute to the water cycle.
 * 2) Describe how oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, glaciers, groundwater, human use, and the atmosphere play a role in the water cycle.
 * 3) Describe the properties of water.