Earth Space Science Progression INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED SCIENCE Pre-K–2 3–5 6–8 9–10 Stars range greatly in their distance from Earth and this N/A can explain their relative ESS1.A Solar activity creates the elements through brightness. nuclear fusion. Astronomical evidence for The Patterns of movement the Big Bang theory comes from multiple universe and of the Sun, Moon, and The solar system is part of the sources. its stars stars as seen from Earth N/A Milky Way, which is one of many can be observed, billions of galaxies. described, and predicted. The solar system contains many ESS1.B The orbit and laws describe common features of Earth’s Kepler’s varied objects held together by Earth and rotation, and the orbit of the the motions of orbiting objects. Changes in gravity. Solar system models Moon around the Earth, tilt and orbit result in cycles of the solar Earth’s explain and predict eclipses, lunar cause observable patterns. climate changes such as ice ages. system phases, and seasons. Rock strata and the fossil record can ESS1.C Patterns in rock formations Past plate motions and plate tectonics The history be used as evidence to organize the N/A and fossils indicate changes explain why continental rocks are so much of planet relative occurrence of major in landscapes over time. older than rocks of the ocean floor. Earth historical events in history. Earth’s The water cycle involves Energy flows and matter cycles interactions of the four major within and among systems, ESS2.A Earth’s Earth systems. Water, ice, Wind and water change including the Sun and Feedback effects exist within and among Earth Earth’s wind, and organisms break materials the shape of the land. interior as primary energy sources. systems. Earth’s rocks, soils, and sediments and systems Plate tectonics is one result of these into smaller pieces and move processes. them around. physical features Plate tectonics is the unifying ESS2.B Earth’s Maps show where occur in patterns, as do theory that explains movements of Plate things are located. One Radioactive decay and residual heat of tectonics earthquakes and volcanoes. rocks at surface and Earth’s can map the shapes and formation within interior contribute Earth’s and Maps can be used to locate geological features. Maps are used kinds of land and water to thermal convection in the mantle. system features and determine to display evidence of plate in any area. patterns in those events. movement. interactions
Earth Space Science Progression INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED SCIENCE Pre-K–2 3–5 6–8 9–10 ESS1.A The universe and its stars Patterns of movement of the Sun, Moon, and stars as seen from Earth can be observed, described, and predicted. Stars range greatly in their distance from Earth and this can explain their relative brightness. N/A Solar activity creates the elements through nuclear fusion. Astronomical evidence for the Big Bang theory comes from multiple sources. N/A The solar system is part of the Milky Way, which is one of many billions of galaxies. ESS1.B Earth and the solar system The Earth’s orbit and rotation, and the orbit of the Moon around the Earth, cause observable patterns. The solar system contains many varied objects held together by gravity. Solar system models explain and predict eclipses, lunar phases, and seasons. Kepler’s laws describe common features of the motions of orbiting objects. Changes in Earth’s tilt and orbit result in cycles of climate changes such as ice ages. ESS1.C The history of planet Earth N/A Patterns in rock formations and fossils indicate changes in landscapes over time. Rock strata and the fossil record can be used as evidence to organize the relative occurrence of major historical events in Earth’s history. Past plate motions and plate tectonics explain why continental rocks are so much older than rocks of the ocean floor. ESS2.A Earth materials and systems Wind and water change the shape of the land. The water cycle involves interactions of the four major Earth systems. Water, ice, wind, and organisms break rocks, soils, and sediments into smaller pieces and move them around. Energy flows and matter cycles within and among Earth’s systems, including the Sun and Earth’s interior as primary energy sources. Plate tectonics is one result of these processes. Feedback effects exist within and among Earth’s systems. ESS2.B Plate tectonics and system interactions Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area. Earth’s physical features occur in patterns, as do earthquakes and volcanoes. Maps can be used to locate features and determine patterns in those events. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains movements of rocks at Earth’s surface and geological features. Maps are used to display evidence of plate movement. Radioactive decay and residual heat of formation within Earth’s interior contribute to thermal convection in the mantle.