Ecology and Environment

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Ecosystems and Environments

Environments and Changes: Migration and Hibernation

Adaptations

Biomes: Abiotic and Biotic

Flow of Energy: Food Webs and Food Chains

Relationships Among Organisms: Consumer, Decomposer, Predator, Prey

Diversity in Ecosystems

Pest Management

Water Cycles

PDE: Scientific theory

PDE: Opinion

PDE: Evidence

PDE: Data/information

PDE: Concept of "practice"

PDE: Questions answered through: Scientific inquiry

PDE: Use of Evidence

PDE: Use of Observations

PDE: Experimental results

PDE: Inferences

PDE: Environmental issues

PDE: Long term health effects (e.g., pollution, pest controls, vaccinations)

PDE: Use evidence to describe change

PDE: Use observations to describe change

PDE: Use explanations to describe change

PDE: Use inferences to describe change

PDE: Change in systems over time (e.g., carrying capacity, succession, population dynamics, loss of mass in chemical reactions, indicator fossils in geologic time scale)

PDE: Change in systems over time

PDE: Dynamically changing environments

PDE: Concept of "sustainability"

PDE: Living systems

PDE: Systems (e.g., watershed, circulatory system, heating system, agricultural system)

PDE: Parts of a system

PDE: Roles of system parts

PDE: Observable results

PDE: Structures of living things

PDE: Concept of "effective functioning"

PDE: Concept of "similarity"

PDE: Concept of "differences"

PDE: Internal structures (e.g., invertebrate/vertebrate, vascular/nonvascular, single-celled/multi-celled)

PDE: Characteristic structures of organisms

PDE: Identifying organisms

PDE: Categories of organisms (i.e., plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and protista)

PDE: Organism survival

PDE: Reproduction

PDE: Differing environments

PDE: Concept of "adaptation"

PDE: Concept of "species"

PDE: Survival

PDE: Adaptations are developed over long periods of time

PDE: Development over time

PDE: Flow of energy

PDE: Ecosystem (e.g., food chains, food webs)

PDE: Major biomes

PDE: Abiotic components (different soil types, air, water, sunlight)

PDE: Biotic components (living organisms)

PDE: Organism relationships (e.g., producers/consumers, predator/prey)

PDE: Factors that affect changes in populations (e.g., deforestation, disease, land use, natural disaster, invasive species)

PDE: Concept of "diversity"

PDE: Ecological integrity of natural systems

PDE: Organism response to environmental change (hibernation, migration, coloration)

PDE: Environmental changes (changes in climate)

PDE: Concept of "survival"

PDE: Impact of human activities on local environments

PDE: Impact of human activities on regional environments

PDE: Impact of human activities on global environments

PDE: Long-term effects of using integrated pest management (e.g., herbicides, natural predators, biogenetics)

PDE: The sun as a major source of energy

PDE: Impact of sun on the environment

PDE: Distinguish between a scientific theory and opinion

PDE: Explain how a theory is supported with evidence

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing theories

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing practice

PDE: Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry

PDE: Use evidence, such as observations, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Use evidence, such as experimental results, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Identify environmental issues

PDE: Explain potential long term health effects of environmental issues

PDE: Use evidence to make inferences about change in systems over time

PDE: Use observations to make inferences about change in systems over time

PDE: Examine systems changing over time

PDE: Given a scenario, explain how a dynamically changing environment provides for the sustainability of living systems

PDE: Describe a system as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result.

PDE: Describe the structures of living things that help them function effectively in specific ways (e.g., adaptations, characteristics).

PDE: Compare similarities of organisms with regard to internal structures

PDE: Compare differences of organisms with regard to internal structures

PDE: Compare similarities of organisms with regard to external structures

PDE: Compare differences of organisms with regard to external structures

PDE: Apply knowledge of characteristic structures to identify organisms

PDE: Apply knowledge of characteristic structures to categorize organisms

PDE: Explain how inherited structures help organisms survive different environments

PDE: Explain how inherited structures help organisms reproduce in different environments

PDE: Explain how inherited behaviors help organisms survive in different environments

PDE: Explain how inherited behaviors help organisms reproduce in different environments

PDE: Explain how different adaptations in individuals of the same species may affect survivability

PDE: Explain how different adaptations in individuals of the same species may affect reproduction success

PDE: Explain that adaptations are developed over long periods of time

PDE: Explain that adaptations are passed from one generation to another

PDE: Explain the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

PDE: Identify major biomes

PDE: Describe abiotic components of major biomes

PDE: Describe biotic components of major biomes

PDE: Explain relationships among organisms in an ecosystem

PDE: Use evidence to explain factors that affect changes in populations

PDE: Use evidence to explain how diversity affects the ecological integrity of natural systems

PDE: Describe the response of organisms to environmental changes

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect local environments

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect regional environments

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect global environments

PDE: Explain the long-term effects of using integrated pest management on the environment

PDE: Describe the sun as a major source of energy

PDE: Describe the impact on the environment of the sun

Unit C: The Living Planet, Chapter 1: Ecosystems - Characteristics and Cycles, Chapter 2: Interactions in Ecosystems 
8/1/2007

S8.A.1.1 ~ Explain, interpret and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (e.g., visuals, scenarios, graphs). (Reference: 3.2.7.A, 3.2.7.B)

S8.A.1.2 ~ Identify and explain the impacts of applying scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge to address solution to practical problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.C, 3.8.7.A, 3.8.7.B, 4.3.7.A)

S8.A.1.3 ~ Identify evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems. (Reference: 3.1.7.E, 4.7.7.C, 4.8.7.C)

S8.A.3.1 ~ Explain the parts of a simple system, their roles, and their relationships to the system as a whole. (Reference: 3.1.7.A, 3.4.7.B, 4.3.7.C, 4.2.7.D, 4.6.7.A)

S8.A.3.2 ~ Apply knowledge of models to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain technological concepts. (Reference: 3.1.7.B, 3.2.7.B, 4.1.7.B)

S8.B.1.1 ~ Describe and compare structural and functional similarities and differences that characterize diverse living things. (Reference: 3.3.7.A, 3.3.7.B, 4.6.7.A, 4.7.7.B)

S8.B.2.1 ~ Explain the basic concepts of natural selection. (Reference: 3.3.7.D, 4.7.7.A, 4.7.7.B)

S8.B.3.1 ~ Explain the relationships among and between organisms in different ecosystems and their abiotic and biotic components. (Reference: 4.4.7.B, 4.6.7.A, 4.1.7.C, 4.1.7.D)

S8.B.3.2 ~ Identify evidence of change to infer and explain the ways different variables may affect change in natural or human-made systems. (Reference: 3.1.7.C, 4.3.7.B, 4.6.7.C, 4.8.7.D, 3.1.7.E, 4.3.7.C)

S8.B.3.3 ~ Explain how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs or how these needs impact the environment. (Reference: 3.6.7.A, 4.4.7.A, 4.4.7.C, 4.5.7.C, 3.8.7.C)

S8.C.2.2 ~ Compare the environmental impact of different energy sources chosen to support human endeavors. (Reference: 3.4.7.B, 4.2.7.B)

S8.D.1.3 ~ Describe characteristic features of Earth’s water systems or their impact on resources. (Reference: 3.5.7.D, 4.3.7.B, 4.1.7.A, 4.1.7.B, 4.1.7.C)

Nonrenewable and Renewable Resources

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Waste management and resources

Human activities affect environments

How renewable and nonrenewable resources provide for human needs

Waste Management

PDE: Use of evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use of observations to describe relationships

PDE: Operational concepts

PDE: Testable questions

PDE: Formulation of hypotheses

PDE: Evidence from investigations

PDE: Concept of "conclusions"

PDE: Impact of human activities on local environments

PDE: Impact of human activities on regional environments

PDE: Impact of human activities on global environments

PDE: Renewable resources

PDE: Nonrenewable resources

PDE: Human needs (i.e., energy, food, water, clothing, and shelter)

PDE: Long-term effects of using integrated pest management (e.g., herbicides, natural predators, biogenetics)

PDE: Sources of energy (i.e., renewable and nonrenewable energy)

PDE: Use evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use observations to describe relationships

PDE: Define concepts operationally

PDE: Raise testable questions

PDE: Formulate hypotheses

PDE: Use evidence from investigations to clearly communicate conclusions

PDE: Use evidence from investigations to support conclusions

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect local environments

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect regional environments

PDE: Explain how human activities may affect global environments

PDE: Explain how renewable resources provide for human needs

PDE: Explain how nonrenewable resources provide for human needs

PDE: Describe how waste management affects the environment

PDE: Explain the long-term effects of using integrated pest management on the environment

PDE: Distinguish among forms of energy and sources of energy

Unit C: The Living Planet, pages C22-C23 
11/1/2007

S8.A.2.1 ~ Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.B, 3.1.7.C, 3.1.7.D)

S8.B.3.3 ~ Explain how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs or how these needs impact the environment. (Reference: 3.6.7.A, 4.4.7.A, 4.4.7.C, 4.5.7.C, 3.8.7.C)

S8.C.2.1 ~ Describe energy sources, transfer of energy, or conversion of energy. (Reference: 3.4.7.B, 4.2.7.B)

Invertebrates and Vertebrates

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

What are invertebrates and vertebrates?

 Invertebrates: Sponges, Cnidarians, and Worms

Mollusks, Arthropods, and Echnioderms: Invertebrates

Vertebrates: Fish and Amphibians

Vertebrates: Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals

PDE: Use of evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use of observations to describe relationships

PDE: Concept of "relationships"

PDE: Formulation of hypotheses

PDE: Controlled experiment

PDE: Independent variable

PDE: Dependent variable

PDE: Structures of living things

PDE: Concept of "effective functioning"

PDE: Concept of "similarity"

PDE: Concept of "differences"

PDE: Internal structures (e.g., invertebrate/vertebrate, vascular/nonvascular, single-celled/multi-celled)

PDE: External structures (e.g., appendages, body segments, type of covering, size, shape)

PDE: Identifying organisms

PDE: Differing environments

PDE: Concept of "adaptation"

PDE: Concept of "species"

PDE: Survival

PDE: Adaptations are developed over long periods of time

PDE: Development over time

PDE: Use evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use observations to describe relationships

PDE: Formulate hypotheses

PDE: Design a controlled experiment by specifying how the independent variables will be manipulated

PDE: Design a controlled experiment by specifying how the dependent variables will be measured

PDE: Design a controlled experiment by specifying which variables will be held constant

PDE: Describe the structures of living things that help them function effectively in specific ways (e.g., adaptations, characteristics).

PDE: Compare similarities of organisms with regard to internal structures

PDE: Compare differences of organisms with regard to internal structures

PDE: Compare similarities of organisms with regard to external structures

PDE: Compare differences of organisms with regard to external structures

PDE: Apply knowledge of characteristic structures to identify organisms

PDE: Explain how inherited behaviors help organisms survive in different environments

PDE: Explain how inherited behaviors help organisms reproduce in different environments

PDE: Explain how different adaptations in individuals of the same species may affect survivability

PDE: Explain how different adaptations in individuals of the same species may affect reproduction success

PDE: Explain that adaptations are developed over long periods of time

PDE: Explain that adaptations are passed from one generation to another

Unit B: Living Things Grow andResond: Chapter 3Invertebrates and Chapter 4 Vertebrates 
12/1/2007

S8.A.2.1 ~ Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.B, 3.1.7.C, 3.1.7.D)

S8.B.1.1 ~ Describe and compare structural and functional similarities and differences that characterize diverse living things. (Reference: 3.3.7.A, 3.3.7.B, 4.6.7.A, 4.7.7.B)

S8.B.2.1 ~ Explain the basic concepts of natural selection. (Reference: 3.3.7.D, 4.7.7.A, 4.7.7.B)

Chemistry

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Matter and Energy

Atoms: What makes up an atom?

Elements: What are the Properties of Elements?

Elements: What are the States of Matter?

Compounds: What are some properties of Compounds?

PDE: Scientific theory

PDE: Opinion

PDE: Evidence

PDE: Data/information

PDE: Concept of "practice"

PDE: Questions answered through: Scientific inquiry

PDE: Use of Observations

PDE: Experimental results

PDE: Inferences

PDE: Use of evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use of observations to describe relationships

PDE: Formulation of hypotheses

PDE: The sun as a major source of energy

PDE: Impact of sun on the environment

PDE: Concept of "time spans of renewability"

PDE: Fossil fuels

PDE: Alternative fuels

PDE: Waste and its impact on the environment

PDE: Renewable resources

PDE: Nonrenewable resources

PDE: Distinguish between a scientific theory and opinion

PDE: Explain how a theory is supported with evidence

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing theories

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing practice

PDE: Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry

PDE: Use evidence, such as observations, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Use evidence, such as experimental results, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Use evidence to describe relationships

PDE: Use observations to describe relationships

PDE: Formulate hypotheses

PDE: Describe the sun as a major source of energy

PDE: Describe the impact on the environment of the sun

PDE: Compare the time spans of renewability for fossil fuels and alternative fuels

PDE: Describe the waste (i.e., kind and quantity) derived from the use of renewable resources and their potential impact on the environment

PDE: Describe the waste (i.e., kind and quantity) derived from the use of non-renewable resources and their potential impact on the environment

Unit E: Matter and Energy: Chapter 1 - Atoms, Elements,and Compounds, Chapter 2 - Matter-Properties and Changes 
1/1/2008

S8.A.1.1 ~ Explain, interpret and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (e.g., visuals, scenarios, graphs). (Reference: 3.2.7.A, 3.2.7.B)

S8.A.2.1 ~ Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.B, 3.1.7.C, 3.1.7.D)

S8.C.2.2 ~ Compare the environmental impact of different energy sources chosen to support human endeavors. (Reference: 3.4.7.B, 4.2.7.B)

Geology

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Rocks, Rock Cycles, and Fossils

Igneous: granite, basalt, pumice

Sedimentary: limestone, sandstone, shale, coal

Metamorphic: slate, quartzite, marble, gneiss

PDE: Use evidence to describe change

PDE: Use observations to describe change

PDE: Use explanations to describe change

PDE: Change in systems over time (e.g., carrying capacity, succession, population dynamics, loss of mass in chemical reactions, indicator fossils in geologic time scale)

PDE: Change in systems over time

PDE: Dynamically changing environments

PDE: Concept of "sustainability"

PDE: Living systems

PDE: Formulation of hypotheses

PDE: Rock cycle

PDE: Pennsylvania rock types (igneous – granite, basalt, obsidian, pumice; sedimentary – limestone, sandstone, shale, coal; and metamorphic – slate, quartzite, marble, gneiss)

PDE: Processes that change Earth's surface (e.g., landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, mountain building, new land being formed, weathering, erosion, sedimentation, soil formation)

PDE: Biomes

PDE: Fossils provide evidence about plants and animals that lived long ago

PDE: Plant fossils

PDE: Animal fossils

PDE: Pennsylvania fossil record

PDE: Impacts of Earth's resources

PDE: Earth's nonliving resources (i.e., air, water, or earth materials)

PDE: Earth's living resources (i.e., plants and animals)

PDE: Use evidence to make inferences about change in systems over time

PDE: Use observations to make inferences about change in systems over time

PDE: Use explanations to make inferences about change in systems over time

PDE: Use observations to make inferences about variables affecting change

PDE: Examine systems changing over time

PDE: Identify possible variables causing this change over time

PDE: Draw inferences about how these variables affect this change

PDE: Given a scenario, explain how a dynamically changing environment provides for the sustainability of living systems

PDE: Formulate hypotheses

PDE: Explain the rock cycle as changes in the solid earth and rock types

PDE: Explain the rock types found in Pennsylvania

PDE: Compare different processes that change Earth’s surface

PDE: Contrast different processes that change Earth’s surface

PDE: Explain how fossils provide evidence about plants that lived long ago throughout Pennsylvania’s history

PDE: Explain how fossils provide evidence about animals that lived long ago throughout Pennsylvania’s history

PDE: Explain how fossils provide evidence of different environments

PDE: Explain the process’s potential impacts on Earth’s resources.

PDE: Describe potential impacts of human-made processes on Earth’s living resources

Unit D: Cycles in Earth and Space: Chapter 2 - Rocks and Rock Cycle 
3/1/2008

S8.A.1.3 ~ Identify evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems. (Reference: 3.1.7.E, 4.7.7.C, 4.8.7.C)

S8.A.2.1 ~ Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.B, 3.1.7.C, 3.1.7.D)

S8.D.1.1 ~ Describe constructive and destructive natural processes that form different geologic structures and resources. (Reference: 3.5.7.A, 4.4.7.B)

S8.D.1.2 ~ Describe the potential impact of human made processes on changes to Earth’s resources and how they affect everyday life. (Reference: 3.5.7.B, 3.6.7.A, 4.2.7.C)

Natural Processes

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Volcano, Earthquakes, Weathering, Erosion

Volcanic Eruptions

Earthquakes

Weathering and Erosion

Fossils

PDE: Scientific theory

PDE: Opinion

PDE: Evidence

PDE: Data/information

PDE: Concept of "practice"

PDE: Questions answered through: Scientific inquiry

PDE: Use of Observations

PDE: Environmental issues

PDE: Long term health effects (e.g., pollution, pest controls, vaccinations)

PDE: Change in systems over time

PDE: Inferences

PDE: Variables

PDE: Rock cycle

PDE: Pennsylvania rock types (igneous – granite, basalt, obsidian, pumice; sedimentary – limestone, sandstone, shale, coal; and metamorphic – slate, quartzite, marble, gneiss)

PDE: Distinguish between a scientific theory and opinion

PDE: Explain how a theory is supported with evidence

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing theories

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing practice

PDE: Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry

PDE: Use evidence, such as observations, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Identify environmental issues

PDE: Examine systems changing over time

PDE: Identify possible variables causing this change over time

PDE: Draw inferences about how these variables affect this change

PDE: Explain the rock cycle as changes in the solid earth and rock types

PDE: Explain the rock types found in Pennsylvania

Unit D: Cycles in Earth and Space: Chapter 1-Movement of Earth's Crust 
4/1/2008

S8.A.1.1 ~ Explain, interpret and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (e.g., visuals, scenarios, graphs). (Reference: 3.2.7.A, 3.2.7.B)

S8.A.1.2 ~ Identify and explain the impacts of applying scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge to address solution to practical problems. (Reference: 3.2.7.C, 3.8.7.A, 3.8.7.B, 4.3.7.A)

S8.A.1.3 ~ Identify evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems. (Reference: 3.1.7.E, 4.7.7.C, 4.8.7.C)

S8.D.1.1 ~ Describe constructive and destructive natural processes that form different geologic structures and resources. (Reference: 3.5.7.A, 4.4.7.B)

S8.D.1.2 ~ Describe the potential impact of human made processes on changes to Earth’s resources and how they affect everyday life. (Reference: 3.5.7.B, 3.6.7.A, 4.2.7.C)

S8.D.3.1 ~ Explain the relationships between and among the objects of our solar system. (Reference: 3.4.7.D)

Water Systems

 Content 

 Skills 

 Lessons 

 Standards 

Earth's Water Systems, Freshwater and Saltwater. Stream Study

Distinguish among different water systems

Physical Characteristics of a stream and how these characteristics determine the types of organisms found within the stream environment

PDE: Scientific theory

PDE: Opinion

PDE: Evidence

PDE: Data/information

PDE: Concept of "practice"

PDE: Use of Evidence

PDE: Use of Observations

PDE: Experimental results

PDE: Inferences

PDE: Systems (e.g., watershed, circulatory system, heating system, agricultural system)

PDE: Parts of a system

PDE: Roles of system parts

PDE: Open loop systems (e.g., energy flow, food web, open-switch)

PDE: Closed loop systems (e.g., materials in the nitrogen and carbon cycles, closed-switch)

PDE: Water cycle

PDE: Physical processes the water cycle depends on (i.e., evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, runoff, infiltration, energy inputs, and phase changes).

PDE: Freshwater system physical characteristics

PDE: Saltwater system physical characteristics

PDE: Water systems (e.g., wetland systems, ocean systems, river systems, watersheds)

PDE: Physical characteristics of streams (e.g., biological diversity, water quality, flow rate, tributaries, surrounding watershed).

PDE: Organisms in aquatic environments

PDE: Distinguish between a scientific theory and opinion

PDE: Explain how a theory is supported with evidence

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing theories

PDE: Explain how new data may change existing practice

PDE: Use evidence, such as observations, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Use evidence, such as experimental results, to support inferences about a relationship

PDE: Describe a system as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result.

PDE: Distinguish between open loop and closed loop systems

PDE: Describe the water cycle

PDE: Describe the physical processes on which the water cycle depends (i.e., evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, runoff, infiltration, energy inputs, and phase changes).

PDE: Compare and contrast characteristics of freshwater and saltwater systems on the basis of their physical characteristics (i.e., composition, density, and electrical conductivity)

PDE: Compare and contrast characteristics of freshwater and saltwater systems on the basis of their use as natural resources.

PDE: Distinguish among different water systems

PDE: Describe the relationships of water systems to each other

PDE: Identify the physical characteristics of a stream

PDE: Identify how the physical characteristics of a stream determine the types of organisms found in an aquatic environment (e.g., biological diversity, water quality, flow rate, tributaries, surrounding watershed).

Unit C: The Living Planet: Chapter 1-Ecosystems-Characteristics and Cycles pages C12-C20 
5/22/2008

S8.A.1.1 ~ Explain, interpret and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (e.g., visuals, scenarios, graphs). (Reference: 3.2.7.A, 3.2.7.B)

S8.A.3.1 ~ Explain the parts of a simple system, their roles, and their relationships to the system as a whole. (Reference: 3.1.7.A, 3.4.7.B, 4.3.7.C, 4.2.7.D, 4.6.7.A)

S8.A.3.2 ~ Apply knowledge of models to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain technological concepts. (Reference: 3.1.7.B, 3.2.7.B, 4.1.7.B)

S8.D.1.3 ~ Describe characteristic features of Earth’s water systems or their impact on resources. (Reference: 3.5.7.D, 4.3.7.B, 4.1.7.A, 4.1.7.B, 4.1.7.C)