UNIT	SKILLS	TYPE OF ASSESSMENT USED	
Unit 1 

Measuring the Earth	•	Calculate circumference using eratosthenes
		equation
•	Determine position using latitude and 	longitude
•	Calculate rate of change in a field using
		gradient equation
•	Interpret selected properties of Earth’s
		atmosphere in ESRT*
•	Analyze and interpret a topographic map	•	Written lab reports
•	Lab performance using maps
•	Tests:
- multiple choice
- short answer	
Unit 2 

Rocks and Minerals	•	To identify minerals using their physical
		properties
•	To identify sedimentary, metamorphic and
	igneous rocks using their physical
	properties
•	Interpret scheme for igneous, sedimentary and
		metamorphic rock identification in ESRT
•	Interpret rock cycle diagram in ESRT	•	Written lab reports
•	Rock and mineral identification lab
•	Practical test
•	Projects   (mineral and rock process of
formation)	
Unit 3 

The Dynamic Crust	•	Identify and label Earth’s interior
•	Analyze the mechanics of plate tectonics
•	Describe the effects of plate boundaries on
		earthquake and volcano locations on
		surface
•	Analyze a seismogram 
•	Read a P & S wave graph and locate distance
		and time traveled
•	Locate epicenter
•	Calculate origin time
•	Interpret tectonic plate in ESRT
•	Use earthquake P & S wave travel time graph
		in ESRT
•	Interpret properties of interior diagram in
ESRT
	•	Written lab reports
•	Lab performance using a seismogram
•	Tests:
- multiple choice
- short answer
- graphs
•	Projects:
- earthquake and volcano mechanisms	
Unit 4 

Surface Processes and Landscapes	•	Label the water cycle
•	Describe the weathering process and
		development of soil
•	Label the soil layers
•	Make distinction between sediment appearance
		and agent of erosion
•	Interpret relationship of transported particle
	size to water velocity diagram in ESRT
•	Diagram depositional formations based on
	shape, density, and size of particle and
		location of deposition
•	Describe the differences between landscape
	regions and the factors that affected
		development
•	Interpret generalized landscape regions of NYS map in ESRT.  Be able to use it with
	generalized Bedrock Geology of NYS map
		in ESRT
•	Describe glacial history of NYS
•	Label erosional landscape features of a glacier
•	Label depositional features of a glacier	•	Written lab report
•	Lab performance
•	Tests:
- multiple choice
- short answer	
Unit 5 

Earth's History	•	Arrange rocks layers in proper sequence based
	on principle of horizontality superposition
		and cross-cutting
•	Label similar rock layers using index fossils
•	Locate an unconformity in a rock sequence and
		discuss what it means
•	Interpret Geologic History of NYS at a Glance
		Chart in ESRT
•	Determine the age of a rock based on
		radioactive data

	•	Written lab reports
•	Lab performance
•	Tests:
- multiple choice
- short answer	
Unit 6 

Meteorology	•	Calculate relative humidity using DPT and RH
		charts in ESRT
•	Label and draw isotherms and isobars on
		weather map
•	Draw pressure systems and fronts on weather
		map
•	Label the atmospheric variables around a
		station model
•	Forecast the weather for a specific area after
		looking at a weather map
•	Track a hurricane when given data
•	Interpret electromagnetic spectrum
•	Describe energy and the interaction with the
		earth
•	Calculate amount of heat lost and gained using
		amount of heat gained or lost equation in 	ESRT
•	Calculate amount of heat needed to change
		phase using heat of fusion and vaporization
		equation in ESRT
•	Calculate cloud base level using lapse rate
		diagram in ESRT	•	Written lab reports
•	Lab performance
•	Tests:
- multiple choice
- short answer	
Unit 7 

Water Cycle and Climate	•	Describe intensity, duration of insolation for a
	particular latitude
•	Label and describe the greenhouse effect
•	Interpret a water budget graph to analyze
		deficit, surplus, recharge and usage
•	Describe the factors influencing climate	•	Tests	

UNIT	SKILLS	TYPE OF ASSESSMENT USED	
Unit 8 

Earth in Space	•	Position of the sun at four different dates
		during year
•	Calculate eccentricity
•	Interpret diagram showing gravitation forces of
		Kepler’s 2nd Law
•	Calculate Law of Gravitation using Newton’s
		Equation
•	Label a diagram of moon phases, eclipses and
		tides
•	Label geocentric and heliocentric model
•	Describe Foucault Pend and coriolors effect	•	Tests
•	Lab performance
•	Written lab
	
*ESRT = Earth Science Reference Table