3: The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.

3.01: Evaluate the forces that shape the lithosphere including:

3.01.a: Crustal plate movement.

Plate Tectonics

3.01.b: Folding and faulting.

Plate Tectonics

3.01.d: Volcanic Activity.

Plate Tectonics

3.01.e: Earthquakes.

Plate Tectonics

3.02: Examine earthquake and volcano patterns.

Plate Tectonics

3.04: Describe the processes which form and the uses of earth materials.

3.04.a: Rock cycle.

Rock Cycle

3.04.c: Characteristics of rocks.

Rock Cycle

3.04.f: Common gems, minerals, precious metals and rocks found in N.C.

Rock Cycle

3.06: Evaluate ways in which human activities have affected Earth's pedosphere and the measures taken to control the impact:

3.06.b: Agriculture.

Pond Ecosystem

3.06.d: Nutrient balance.

Pond Ecosystem
Water Pollution

4: The learner will investigate the cycling of matter.

4.01: Describe the flow of energy and matter in natural systems:

4.01.a: Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from the sun through producers to consumers to decomposers.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem

4.01.c: Water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are substances cycled between the living and non-living environments.

Pond Ecosystem
Water Cycle

4.02: Evaluate the significant role of decomposers.

Forest Ecosystem

4.03: Examine evidence that green plants make food.

4.03.a: Photosynthesis is a process carried on by green plants and other organisms containing chlorophyll.

Photosynthesis Lab

4.03.b: During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into stored energy which the plant, in turn, uses to carry out its life processes.

Photosynthesis Lab

4.04: Evaluate the significance of photosynthesis to other organisms:

4.04.a: The major source of atmospheric oxygen is photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis Lab

4.04.b: Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis Lab

4.04.c: Green plants are the producers of food that is used directly or indirectly by consumers.

Forest Ecosystem

5: The learner will build understanding of the Solar System.

5.01: Analyze the components and cycles of the solar system including:

5.01.b: Planets and moons.

Solar System

5.01.e: Phases.

Phases of the Moon

5.01.f: Seasons.

Seasons Around the World
Seasons in 3D
Seasons: Why do we have them?
Summer and Winter

5.01.g: Day/year.

Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun

5.01.h: Eclipses.

2D Eclipse

5.03: Relate the influence of the sun and the moon's orbit to the gravitational effects produced on Earth.

5.03.b: Tides.

Tides

5.05: Describe the setting of the solar system in the universe including:

5.05.b: Size.

Solar System

5.05.c: The uniqueness of Earth.

Solar System

6: The learner will conduct investigations and examine models and devices to build an understanding of the characteristics of energy transfer and/or transformation.

6.01: Determine how convection and radiation transfer energy.

Conduction and Convection
Heat Absorption
Herschel Experiment
Radiation

6.02: Analyze heat flow through materials or across space from warm objects to cooler objects until both objects are at equilibrium.

Conduction and Convection
Heat Transfer by Conduction

6.03: Analyze sound as an example that vibrating materials generate waves that transfer energy.

6.03.a: Frequency.

Longitudinal Waves

6.03.b: Amplitude.

Longitudinal Waves

6.03.c: Loudness.

Longitudinal Waves

6.04: Evaluate data for qualitative and quantitative relationships associated with energy transfer and/or transformation.

Energy Conversion in a System
Heat Absorption
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Radiation

6.05: Analyze the physical interactions of light and matter:

6.05.a: Absorption.

Color Absorption
Heat Absorption
Herschel Experiment

6.05.c: Color perception.

Color Absorption
Heat Absorption

6.06: Analyze response to heat to determine the suitability of materials for use in technological design:

6.06.a: Conduction.

Conduction and Convection
Heat Transfer by Conduction

6.07: Analyze the Law of Conservation of Energy:

6.07.a: Conclude that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only changed from one form into another.

Air Track
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects

6.07.b: Conclude that the amount of energy stays the same, although within the process some energy is always converted to heat.

Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects

6.07.c: Some systems transform energy with less loss of heat than others.

Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects

7: The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.

7.06: Investigate processes which, operating over long periods of time, have resulted in the diversity of plant and animal life present today:

7.06.a: Natural selection.

Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks