Unit
The Atmosphere
Local Objective
At the end of this unit, students will be able to...
a. Describe the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
b. Explain why air pressure changes with altitude.
c. Explain how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition.
d. Describe the layers of the atmosphere.
e. Describe what happens to solar energy that reaches Earth.
f. Summarize the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection.
g. Explain the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming.
h. Explain the relationship between air pressure and wind direction.
i. Describe global wind patterns.
j. Explain the causes of local wind patterns.
k. Compare primary and secondary air pollutants.
l. Identify the major sources of air pollution.
m. Explain the effects of an ozone hole.
n. List five effects of air pollution on the human body.
o. Identify ways to reduce air pollution.
Objective used to evaluate students
Yes
Assessment Activity
1. The students will be assessed by completing daily independent activities on the objectives of describing the composition of the Earth's atmosphere; explaining why air pressure changes with altitude; explaining how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition; describe the layers of the atmosphere; describing what happens to solar energy that reaches Earth; summarizing the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection; explaining the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming; explaining the relationship between air pressure and wind direction; describing global wind patterns; explaining the causes of local wind patterns; comparing primary and secondary air pollutants, identifying the major sources of air pollution; explaining the effects of an ozone hole; listing five effects of air pollution on the human body; and identifying ways to reduce air pollution.
2. At the end of the unit, students will complete a unit evaluation testing mastery of describing the composition of the Earth's atmosphere; explaining why air pressure changes with altitude; explaining how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition; describe the layers of the atmosphere; describing what happens to solar energy that reaches Earth; summarizing the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection; explaining the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming; explaining the relationship between air pressure and wind direction; describing global wind patterns; explaining the causes of local wind patterns; comparing primary and secondary air pollutants, identifying the major sources of air pollution; explaining the effects of an ozone hole; listing five effects of air pollution on the human body; and identifying ways to reduce air pollution.
Level of Expectation
80%
List of concepts and Evaluation Types
Concept | Evaluation Type |
Lab-"Old-Fashioned" Popcorn | PE |
Lab-Does Air Have Mass? | PE |
Unit Exam | CR |
Questions | CR |
Learning Activity
The student will:
1. Participate in the mini lab entitled "Does Air Have Mass?"
2. Read a section on the characteristics of the atmosphere. Discuss specific topics such as the composition of Earth's atmosphere, explanation of why air pressure changes with altitude, an explanation of how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition, and the layers of the atmosphere.
3. Answer some recall questions from the reading checking for identification of key ideas, using math skills, using critical thinking, and interpreting graphics.
4. Read a section on atmospheric heating. Participate in the mini lab "Old-Fashioned" popcorn. Discuss specific topics such as what happens to solar energy that reaches the Earth; the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection; and the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming.
5. Answer some recall questions from the reading checking for identification of key ideas, using math skills, using critical thinking, and interpreting graphics.
6. Read a section on global winds and local winds. Discuss specific topics such as relationship between air pressure and wind direction, global wind patterns, and causes of local wind patterns.
7. Answer some recall questions from the reading checking for identification of key ideas, using math skills, using critical thinking, and interpreting graphics.
8. Read a section on air pollution. Discuss specific topics such as primary and secondary air pollutants, major sources of air pollution, effects on an ozone hole, five effects of air pollution on the human body, and ways to reduce air pollution.
9. Answer some recall questions from the reading checking for identification of key ideas, using math skills, using critical thinking, and interpreting graphics.
10. End the chapter by reviewing questions. Take a unit exam over the section on the atmosphere. Questions will review the following objectives: describe the composition of Earth's atmosphere, explain why air pressure changes with altitude, explain how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition, describe the layers of the atmosphere, describe what happens to solar energy that reaches Earth, summarize the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection, explain the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming, explain the relationship between air pressure and wind direction, describe global wind patterns, explain the causes of local wind patterns, compare primary and secondary air pollutants, identify the major sources of air pollution, explain the effects of an ozone hole, list five effects of air pollution on the human body, and identify ways to reduce air pollution.
Instructional Method
The teacher will:
1. Begin unit by doing a lab called "Does Air Have Mass?" Students will follow the procedure listed on page 3 of the textbook
2. Lecture and discuss the characteristics of the atmosphere. Include specific topics such as the composition of Earth's at mosphere, explanation of why air pressure changes with altitude, an explanation of how air temperature changes with atmospheric composition, and the layers of the atmosphere.
3. Guide students during the answering of recall questions.
4. Lecture and discuss atmospheric heating. Include specific topics such as what happens to solar energy that reaches the Earth; the processes of radiation, thermal conduction, and convection; and the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming. Demonstrate convection, conduction, and radiation by popping popcorn the "old-fashioned" way using a hotplate.
5. Guide students during the answering of recall questions.
6. Lecture and discuss global winds and local winds. Include specific topics such as relationship between air pressure and wind direction, global wind patterns, and causes of local wind patterns.
7. Guide students during the answering of recall questions.
8. Lecture and discuss air pollution. Include specific topics such as primary and secondary air pollutants, major sources of air pollution, effects on an ozone hole, five effects of air pollution on the human body, and ways to reduce air pollution.
9. Guide students during the answering of recall questions.
Content Standards
MA 1, SC 8, CA 4, SC 6, SC 2, SC 5
Process Standards
3.6, 3.8, 4.1, 2.3, 4.7, 3.7, 1.5, 3.5, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 4.2
Equity/Workplace Readiness
MSIP Code | MSIP Indicator |
R/I | Research/Information Skills |
Resources
Holt Science & Technology "Weather and Climate" (I)
Materials: Large Balloons, Pushpins, Metersticks, Pencils, Safety Goggles, Popcorn, Hotplate, Pan with Lid, Oil, and Butter
Correction Exercise
Assignment Corrections
Tutoring/Peer Coaching
Enrichment Exercise
Chapter 1 Enrichment Pages
Special Needs
Assignment Modifications
Alternative Testing
Tutoring/Peer Coaching
GLEs v1.0
GLE Code | Discipline | Strand | Big Idea | Concept | Grade Level/Course | GLE |
SC/1ME/1/D/07/a | Science | Properties and Principles of Matter and Energy | Changes in properties and states of matter provide evidence of the atomic theory of matter | Physical changes in the state of matter that result from thermal changes can be explained by the Kinetic Theory of Matter | Grade 7 | Scope and Sequence Weather and Climate
Describe the relationship between temperature and the movement of atmospheric gases (i.e., warm air rises due to expansion of the volume of gas, cool air sinks due to contraction of the volume of gas) |
SC/1ME/2/C/07/a | Science | Properties and Principles of Matter and Energy | Energy has a source, can be transferred, and can be transformed into various forms but is conserved between and within systems | Electromagnetic energy from the Sun (solar radiation) is a major source of energy on Earth | Grade 7 | Scope and Sequence Weather and Climate
Identify solar radiation as the primary source of energy for weather phenomena
|
SC/5ES/1/C/07/a | Science | Processes and Interactions of the Earth s Systems (Geosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere) | Earth s systems (geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) have common components and unique structures | The atmosphere (air) is composed of a mixture of gases, including water vapor, and minute particles | Grade 7 | Scope and Sequence Weather and Climate
Describe the composition of the Earth s atmosphere (i.e., mixture of gases, water and minute particles) and how it circulates as air masses
|
SC/5ES/1/C/07/b | Science | Processes and Interactions of the Earth s Systems (Geosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere) | Earth s systems (geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) have common components and unique structures | The atmosphere (air) is composed of a mixture of gases, including water vapor, and minute particles | Grade 7 | Scope and Sequence Weather and Climate
Describe the role atmosphere (e.g., clouds, ozone) plays in precipitation, reflecting and filtering light from the Sun, and trapping heat energy emitted from the Earth s surface
|
SC/7IN/1/B/07/b | Science | Scientific Inquiry | Science understanding is developed through the use of science process skills, scientific knowledge, scientific investigation, reasoning, and critical thinking | Scientific inquiry relies upon gathering evidence from qualitative and quantitative observations | Grade 7 | Scope and Sequence - All Units
Determine the appropriate tools and techniques to collect data
|
SC/8ST/1/C/06-08/a | Science | Impact of Science, Technology and Human Activity | The nature of technology can advance, and is advanced by, science as it seeks to apply scientific knowledge in ways that meet human needs | Technological solutions to problems often have drawbacks as well as benefits | Grade 6-8 | Scope and Sequence - All Units
Describe how technological solutions to problems (e.g., storm water runoff, fiber optics, windmills, efficient car design, electronic trains without conductors, sonar, robotics, Hubble telescope) can have both benefits and drawbacks (e.g., design constraints, unintended consequences, risks) (Assess Locally)
|
Objective Notes/Essential Questions
Date | Note/Question |
6/18/2007 10:36:32 AM | Which layer of the atmosphere is closet to Earth? How does temperature change within the stratosphere? Which atmospheric layer has the greatest range of temperature? List the layers of the atmosphere, starting with the one closest to Earth? Explain how density affects the transfer of thermal energy in the air. What is a convection current? How does a greenhouse stay warm? How does air temperature over landmasses and adjacent bodies of water change between day and night? List two kinds of breezes that result from local topography. Classify each of the following as either a primary or secondary air pollutant: smog, tobacco smoke, chalk dust, and acid rain. What are two health problems that can result from breathing polluted air? |