Middle School
Earth Systems
Earth materials, rock cycle, water cycle, weather systems, and natural resources.
MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS3-1
2 lessons
4 quiz questions
Lesson 1: Rock and Water Cycles
Model cycling of materials through Earth systems.
Learning goals
- Explain rock cycle processes.
- Explain water cycle processes.
- Connect cycles to energy and gravity.
Rock cycle
Rocks change through weathering, erosion, deposition, burial, melting, cooling, heat, and pressure.
Water cycle
Water moves through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, and transpiration. Energy from the Sun and gravity drive the cycle.
Lesson 2: Weather Systems and Resources
Connect air, water, land, and resources.
Learning goals
- Describe weather system interactions.
- Identify natural resources.
- Explain uneven resource distribution.
Weather systems
Weather patterns are driven by unequal heating of Earth, rotation, air pressure differences, and water cycling.
Natural resources
Minerals, energy resources, soil, and groundwater are unevenly distributed because of geologic processes.