UNIT	SKILLS	TYPE OF ASSESSMENT USED	
Diversity of the Universe	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Composition of the Earth	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Structure of the Earth	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Changing Earth:  Surface Activity	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Changing Earth:  Subsurface Activity	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Earth’s Past	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers	
The Earth’s Future	•	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	•	Tests
•	Labs
•	Quizzes
•	Projects
•	Papers