5.1 Strand
Earth’s major systems are the geosphere (solid and molten rock, soil, and sediments), the hydrosphere (water and ice), the atmosphere (air), and the biosphere (living things, including humans). Within these systems, the location of Earth’s land and water can be described. Also, these systems interact in multiple ways. Weathering and erosion are examples of interactions between Earth’s systems. Some interactions cause landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions that impact humans and other organisms. Humans cannot eliminate natural hazards, but solutions can be designed to reduce their impact.
Standard(s) 5.1.1: Analyze and interpret data to describe patterns of Earth’s features. Emphasize most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans while major mountain chains may be found inside continents or near their edges. Examples of data could include maps showing locations of mountains on continents and the ocean floor or the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes. (ESS2.B)
Practices
Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to introducing quantitative approaches to collecting data and conducting multiple trials of qualitative observations. When possible and feasible, digital tools should be used.
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Analyze and interpret data to make sense of phenomena using logical reasoning.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions
The locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, ocean floor structures, earthquakes, and volcanoes occur in patterns. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans. Major mountain chains form inside continents or near their edges. Maps can help locate the different land and water features areas of Earth.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Patterns
Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.
Storyline Narrative
To begin this storyline students will investigate the phenomenon, a volcano rapidly formed in a field in Paricutin. Students will obtain information about a volcano that grew in a field in Paricutin, Mexico over the course of 9 years, destroying the village.
Then students will obtain information about other North American examples of volcano and earthquake activity and mountain ranges to analyze patterns in the data. They will look at volcanoes in the area of Paricutin to understand and reason that the occurrence of that volcano was part of a pattern rather than a random act. From there, students will look at examples and nonexamples of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges to further analyze and interpret data to find patterns of Earth’s features. Finally, when given a map with known volcano and/or earthquake occurrences, students identify which location is more likely to have the next occurrence and support their answer using the data from their investigations?
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Utah Science
Curriculum Consortium
Tyson Grover
Annette Nielson
The order has been changed. It is suggested that you use the order presented on this page (6.3.3-4 before 6.3.2)
Standard 6.3.1
Develop a model to describe how the cycling of water through Earth’s systems is driven by energy from the Sun, gravitational forces, and density. „
Practices
Developing and Using Models
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Develop and use a model to describe phenomena
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
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Water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land.
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Global movements of water and its changes in form are propelled by sunlight and gravity.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Structure and Function
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Structures can be designed to serve particular functions by taking into account properties of different materials, and how materials can be shaped and used.
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Structures can be designed to serve particular functions.
Big Idea
Standard 6.3.3
Develop and use a model to show how unequal heating of the Earth’s systems causes patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates. Emphasize how warm water and air move from the equator toward the poles. Examples of models could include Utah regional weather patterns such as lake-effect snow and wintertime temperature inversions.
Practices
Developing and Using Models
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Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
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Variations in density due to variations in temperature and salinity drive a global pattern of interconnected ocean currents.
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
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Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns.
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The ocean exerts a major influence on weather and climate by absorbing energy from the sun, releasing it over time, and globally redistributing it through ocean currents.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Patterns
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Patterns in rates of change and other numerical relationships can provide information about natural systems.
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Systems and System Models
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Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.
Standard 6.3.4
Construct an explanation supported by evidence for the role of the natural greenhouse effect in Earth’s energy balance, and how it enables life to exist on Earth. Examples could include comparisons between Earth and other planets such as Venus and Mars.
Practices
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
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Construct a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own experiments) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe nature operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
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Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Energy and Matter
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Within a natural or designed system, the transfer of energy drives the motion and/or cycling of matter.
Big Idea
Standard 6.3.2
Investigate the interactions between air masses that cause changes in weather conditions. Collect and analyze weather data to provide evidence for how air masses flow from regions of high pressure to low pressure causing a change in weather. Examples of data collection could include field observations, laboratory experiments, weather maps, or diagrams.
Practices
Carrying Out Investigations
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Collect data to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer scientific questions or test design solutions under a range of conditions
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
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The complex patterns of the changes and the movement of water in the atmosphere, determined by winds, landforms, and ocean temperatures and currents, are major determinants of local weather patterns.
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
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Because these patterns are so complex, weather can vary from day to day and palce to place. Multiple variables such as humidity, temperature, pressure, and solar radiation contribute to the variability.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Cause and Effect
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Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.