Standard 1:  Understands basic features of the Earth

Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the structure of the Earth system

a:

Understands the Earth is comprised of layers including core, mantle, lithosphere and atmosphere

b:

Understands sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock contain evidence of the minerals, temperature, and forces that created them

c:

Identifies rocks and minerals by comparing their characteristics and properties

d:

Understands geological events are caused by the movement of plate tectonics

e:

Knows how land and water formations are created by constructive and destructive forces

f:

Understands the Earth's atmospheric structure, composition, and movement affects weather and climate

	Standard 2:  Understands basic Earth processes

Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the Earth's history

a:

Knows fossils provide evidence about plants and animals that lived long ago and the nature of the environment at that time

b:

Understands the fossil record through geologic evidence; documents the appearance, diversification, and extinction of many life forms

	Standard 3:  Understands essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe and the Earth's place in it

Interval Benchmark 1: Knows the Earth's place in the solar system

a:

Understands the characteristics of the sun and its position in our solar system

b:

Understands the characteristics and movement patterns of planets, asteriods, comets, meteors, and stars

c:

Knows astronomical objects are separated from one another by vast distances and understands the methods used to measure these distances

d:

Understands how the moon and Earth's movements in relationship to the sun explain: days, years, tides, and eclipses

e:

Understands gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the rest of the motions in our solar system

f:

Knows the sun providess the principle energy for phenomena on the Earth's surface

g:

Knows seasons result from the revolution and tilt of the Earth's axis