• Merrillville High School

    Course Scope & Sequence


    Department

    Science

    EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE

    Instructor

    Robert Heckler

    Email Address

    		rheckler@mvsc.k12.in.us

    Course Expectations, Goals & Routines

    Expectations and Procedures

    -Everyday, each student is expected to...
       - Arrive to class each day and to be on time.
       - Bring two items to class EVERYDAY...  An interactive notebook, and something to write with.
       - Have respect!  No student should be talking, moving around the room, or anything that is rude and disrespectful while the teacher is speaking.  Students need to have respect for each other with both their actions and comments.  Students need to speak using respectful language.  Students need to respect all school policies such as turning off all electronic devices and adhere to the no food in the classroom policy. 
       -All students should listen to instructions the first time they are given.
     
    Daily Routines
     
    Each week, students will be expected to participate in a variety of activities such as...
       -Adding entries and maintaining their interactive notebook.
       -Working AND PARTICIPATING in group labs and group activities.
       -Completing quizzes and in-class assignments.
       -Solving problems using graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, written expression, and math concepts.
       -Using the scientific method to make hypotheses, develope experiments, and to solve problems by creating their own unique solutions.
     
    Goals and assessments
     
    Each trimester, the following assessments will be used to determine a letter grade of achievement. 
     
       -All quizzes, lab activities, lab reports, special projects, and all other in-class assignments will be averaged together.  Each item will be worth 100points.  This will make up 40% of the final letter grade.
     
       -There will be four tests for each trimester.  This will be worth 40% of the final letter grade.
     
       -There will be four "notebook checks" each trimester.  These will be conducted a day or two before or after a chapter test which is about every three weeks.  This will make up the remanding 20% of the final letter grade.  Each notebook check will be worth 100points and will be checked using a rubric looking for....
                -Five to six notebook entries that were given during class time.  
                -Four "homework entries."  Posted in the classroom, there will be a list of pages and questions for each student to answer.  These assignments need to be included in their notebook.  The due date for the notebook will be posted about two weeks in advance so students will have the option to do the homework as soon as possible, little by little, or wait till the last minute and do it the night before.  This portion of the notebook is meant to help students understand deadlines, manage their time, and to hone in organization skills.  Also, it is the students responsibility to obtain missing notes, and homework in the event of an absence.  Because the due date will be posted well in advance, there should be no excuses or surprises to when the notebook is to be checked.  
                -On some occasions, additional vocabulary may be a part of the notebook assessment too.
     
    After each test and notebook check, each student's current grade will be posted in the classroom, according to their ID number, to allow for each student to view his/her progress.

    Course Description

    EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE I (L)                                                         

    Earth and Space Science I is a course focusing on the study of the earth’s layers, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the structure and scale of the Universe.  Students analyze and describe Earth’s interconnected systems and examine how Earth’s materials, landforms, and continents are modified across geological time.  Through laboratory and field investigations, students understand the history and development of the Earth and space sciences, explore the uses of Earth and space science in various careers, and investigate Earth and space science problems concerning personal needs and community issues related to science.

    • Recommended Grade Level:  10 – 12
    • Credits: 2 trimester course for 2 credits
    • Prerequisite: Biology I
    • Counts as a Science Course for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas
    • A Career Academic Sequence or Flex Credit course
    Week
    Standards
    Used in
    Course
    		Instructional Content
    Activities, Readings,
    Labs,     Interactive Notes,
    Assignments, etc.
    		AssessmentsOther
    1.5 1.24Intro to ocean, ocean floor features, ocean salinity 

     "Ocean Intro" notes
    "Ocean Floor Features" notes

    "Find the mystery water sample" salinity lab activity 

    Ocean depth/ temperature graph quiz

     
    2

    Ocean waves and ocean Tide

    Class notes on:

    "Ocean Waves"
    "Ocean Tides" 

    -Quiz over waves  -Predicting a tsunami activity 

     
     
    3

    1.29

    1.14

    		Ocean resources and ocean review
     
     Class notes on:
    "Ocean Resources" And "Build a ocean resource business" activity 
     
    Ocean Globe activity game 

    Quiz over tidal patterns

     
    Oceanography TEST
    NOTEBOOK Check
    over the five sets of notes and the section review questions on pages 640, 644, 700, 704 
     
    4

    1.11

    1.12

    1.14
    		Heat Transfer and Atmosphere

    "Heat Transfer" notes

    "Atmosphere Layer" note

    Energy Transfer Activity with dominoes  

     

    Atmosphere quiz

    5 1.13Begin meteorology, basic causes of wind, clouds, and precipitation  

    Class notes:

    "What Causes Weather"
    "What Causes Wind"
    "Clouds and Precipitation"
     
     

    Flowchart to ID the "Sky Watch Activity" 

    6

    1.21

    1.15

    		Humidity, Dew Points, Fronts, and Weather Maps

    Humidity "Risk to Win it" Game

    CHAPTER TEST

    2nd NOTEBOOK CHECK!!
    (Pg 520 1-8)
    (Pg 526 1-10)
    (pg 558 1-9)
    (Pg 574 1-9)
     
     
     
    7

    1.13

    1.15

    1.16

    Begin U.S Climates

     Class Notes:

    "US Climates"
    Climate Controls" 

     Quiz over four US climates

    8


    1.16

    El Nino and Severe weather, and Global Warming

     Class Notes

    "El Nino and severe weather chart"
    "Alpine Climates" 
     
    Build a house suited to a particular climate activity 

     Global warming study graph

    9

    1.16


    		Climate continued

    The "Climate Trip Advisor" activity


    NOTEBOOK CHECK

    Pg 586 (1-9)

    Pg 610 (1-12)
    Pg 614 (1-9)
    Pg 620 (1-10)
     
    CHAPTER TEST Over Climatology
    10

    2.2

    2.5

    2.6
    2.1
    2.3 
     
    		Begin Astronomy

     Class Notes:

    "Historical Scientists"
    "Our Sun" 
    		Sun spots Graph
    11


    1.3

    1.9
    1.2
    1.4
    1.6 
    		Lunar cycles and formation of solar system

    Class Notes:

    "The Moon" 
    "Solar System" 
    Earth Science Survivor Activity 

     Chapter TEST

    Notebook Check on pages 754, 764, 798, 850 
    12


    		 Final Exam review


      "Egg Drop"  review game for final


     
      Tri-mester FINAL