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Welcome to Earth Science class. We are very excited about the Earth Science curriculum and all the adventures we have planned. You will learn about our home planet Earth! The school theme “Innovation” will play an important role in the way we investigate our planet and it’s neighboring celestial bodies. Our classrooms will become a community of learners where everyone participates and achieves their goals.
 *  Earth Science Course Outline 2012-2013 **

This fall we will sail the Clearwater Sloop and use it as a launching point for your year long independent study. You will also explore some of the halls in the Museum of Natural History such as Hall of Planet Earth, Hall of Minerals, Hall of Meteorites, Hall of Dinosaurs, and the Rose Center. In addition to museum visits you will also visit Montauk in the fall and Taconic State Park in the spring where you will transfer your skills in the classroom to the real world of science.

Below are the units of study with essential questions and reporting standards you can expect to see on the report card. 2. What factors influence a location’s climate? || I can describe the present weather conditions of a certain location using all ESRT weather charts.
 * **Unit** || **Essential Questions** || **Reporting Standards for Report Card** ||
 * Mapping || How are Earth’s features drawn and located on maps? || I can determine the contour interval,calculate the gradient, and draw profiles from a sample topographic map. ||
 * Rocks & Minerals || How do rocks and minerals change and transform over time? || I can Identify a sample rock and mineral using ESRT, describe properties and characteristics of those rocks and minerals ||
 * Surface Processes || How are Earth’s materials transported to new locations? || I can describe the agent of erosion based on landscape features and compare and contrast 2 agents of erosion. ||
 * Earth’s History || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">What information do fossils reveal about New York’s history? || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">I can determine the actual age of a fossil based on its chemical composition and use multiple pages of the ESRT to describe the bedrock and landscape of a region in New York State. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Dynamic Earth || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">What effects do earthquakes have on earth’s surface? || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">I can plot an earthquake on a map using the P and S wave ESRT graph. Identify safety precautions needed for earthquake safety. Identify plate boundaries and the consequences of plate boundary movement ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Weather & Climate || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">1. What causes weather and how can we predict storms?

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">I can explain how a location’s latitude is affected but its incoming solar radiation. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Astronomy || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">What forces influence the movement of different celestial objects in space? || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">I can compare models of the solar system, compare 2 ellipses using Kepler’s law, and compare Sun-Moon-Earth positions. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Year long independent study as mandated by the NYCDOE for 8th grade students. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">How can I use the scientific process to solve a real world problem? || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">MP1: I can develop and write a hypothesis to solve a problem and design an experiment to collect data.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Year long independent study as mandated by the NYCDOE for 8th grade students. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">How can I use the scientific process to solve a real world problem? || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">MP1: I can develop and write a hypothesis to solve a problem and design an experiment to collect data.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">MP2: I can analyze and average data that was collected and draw conclusions that are grounded in research.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">MP3: I can create and discuss my findings in a digital presentation of my project and discuss my findings. ||


 * Materials: **
 * 1) Folder and organized section in a binder for science.
 * 2) Pens, Pencils and Paper
 * 3) Portfolio—a 1” or 1.5” binder if you don already have one.
 * 4) They should have at least 6 section dividers in this.
 * 5) Composition notebook for journals and vocabulary.
 * 6) Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT)
 * 7) Classroom supplies (choose one to donate: paper towels, tissues)
 * 8) Students are expected to contribute to the purchasing of materials needed to completed the year long independent study.

Students will maintain a science portfolio that will remain in the classroom. Students will have a skill tracker sheet that outlines the learning goals associated with each reporting standard. These can be accessed at the science department website; http://csearthscience.wikispaces.com/. They will assemble evidence in the form of assignments to demonstrate having met these goals. Their body of work that includes both assessments and assignments will determine the level achieved for each reporting standard.
 * Portfolios and assessment: **

In spring all 8th graders will stake the NYS test. Students will also given the option to take the NYS Earth Science Regents Exam. Dates will be announced in the spring.
 * Standardized Science Exam **


 * Absences: ** It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work from an absence/high school tours. Absent work should be finished in a timely manner.

We are looking forward to an exciting and challenging year with you. Your cooperation, enthusiasm, and hard work will make this year a success. Please keep this outline in the front of your portfolio.

Sincerely,

Eresha Kissoon [|Link to edmodo]

Kristen Smith