·   Describe three types of galaxies
·   Identify major constellations
·   List characteristics of the sun and planets
·   State the causes of seasons, day and night, moon
phases and eclipses

·   Describe the structure of atoms
·   Identify minerals by physical properties
·   Explain the rock cycle including three types of rocks
·   Identify rocks and how they are formed

·   Describe the interior structure of the earth
·   Interpret topographic maps
·   Explain the water cycle
·   Describe the topography and composition of the ocean floor
·   Compare the layers of the atmosphere

·   Describe the factors that interact to cause weather
·   Interpret a weather map
·   Define chemical and mechanical weathering
·   List the forces and substances that cause erosion
·   Describe landforms that result from deposition and erosion

·   Explain why the crust of the earth moves
·   Describe different ways mountains can form
·   Identify the locations of major earthquake and
volcanic activity
·   Describe the theory of continental drift
·   Explain how plate tectonics is related to
earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building

·   List the different ways that fossils form
·   Describe how fossils are useful in understanding
earth’s past
·   Compare different methods used to date the age of
rocks
·   Name the four geologic eras

·   List some of the natural resources that people use
·   Give examples of different types of pollution
·   Describe methods of conserving natural resources
·   Explain how space exploration may be helpful in the
future