II:

Unit Topic and Rationale

This unit is part of the Earth Science portion of 8th grade science and is one of two
main portions of the 4th quarter, the other being Astronomy. This portion covers
Meteorology. To teach this unit we needed to cover diverse topics like Atmospheric
layers, Water Cycle, Air Pressure, Weather, and Extreme Weather.

Students will first learn how each layer of Earths atmosphere interacts with each
other and their surrounding environments. Furthermore, they will need to
understand the concepts of the water cycle and air pressure. With these three
topics, they will be able to correctly identify different weather fronts and patterns.
They can also use this information to accurately predict weather and read modern
weather maps. Once they are able to do so, they can predict extreme weather events
and help prepare emergency procedures in the event of an extreme weather event.

This unit covers Colorado Department of Education 8th Grade Science Standards 3.1
and 3.2:

3.1- Weather is a result of complex interactions of Earths atmosphere, land and
water, that are driven by energy from the sun, and can be predicted and described
through complex models

This standard includes the following inquiry questions:
1. Why does weather vary from day to day?
2. What are the strengths and limitations of different types of weather models?
3. What are the variables that make predicting weather challenging?
4. How do weather patterns relate to climate?
3.2- Earth has a variety of climates defined by average temperature, precipitation,
humidity, air pressure, and wind that have changed over time in a particular
location
This standard includes the following inquiry questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

How does the climate in one area compare and contrast with another area?
Why are there different climates on Earth?
How has Earths climate changed over time?
What evidence supports and/or contradicts human influence on climate change?
What is the difference between weather and climate?

***The Water Cycle has been previously covered in CDE 6th Grade Science standard
3.2
***Weather and Climate has been previously covered in CDE 5th Grade Science
standard 3.3 and 2nd Grade Science standard 3.1
***Students will be further exposed to these topics in CDE 9th Grade Science
standards 3.4 and 3.6

Students must understand how a variety of factors can influence the climate and
weather patterns of the Earth. Regardless of what they or their parents believe, we
are seeing changing climates and changing weather patterns across the globe. Its
incredibly important for students to understand the science behind these
phenomenon in order to prepare for a future in which these issues will be ever
present. They will be responsible for the planet once we are all gone and its
imperative that they have a basic understanding of it. This goes doubly true because
of the increase in extreme weather events that can directly affect their lives or the
lives of their loved ones.