~25-30 40 TO 50 MINUTE CLASS PERIODS
Which areas of Boomtown are the best choice for construction?
Students construct explanations based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface. They will model how water cycles over and under the surface and through the air and have opportunities to apply scientific principles to design systems that can reduce the human impact on land and water.

PE Assessment Example: Based on the evidence presented in this unit, which geological processes along the Mississippi: a) changed the land’s surface features? b) over millions of years? c) over a short time period? d) will continue in the future? e) can be observed as a model? Explain how. Make sure to also Identify the process(es), and include evidence.

Land, Water and Human Interactions is part of Issues and Science three year middle school program, designed by SEPUP at the Lawrence Hall of Science. This five to six week unit anchors the lessons around the the socio-science issue: What is the safest location for new homes in a coastal community? Investigative phenomena within the 16 activities connect back to the issue and storyline. This unit builds towards and assesses PEs ESS2-4, ESS3-3, ETS1-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-4. The Student Book guides students in exploring a socio-science issue and connected phemonena through a series of varied activity types. Activity types use one of twelve different instructional strategies to apply Science and Engineering Practices to specific Disciplinary Core Ideas and Cross Cutting Concepts. SEPUP's integrated literacy strategies help students process new science content, develop their analytical skills, make connections between related concepts, and express their knowledge orally and in writing. The built-in assessment system helps teachers identify students' strengths and weaknesses from the beginning of the unit. This allows them to adjust activities when needed so that all students get the best chance to build their knowledge and appreciation of science. At the back of the Student Book there is an Appendix containing additional resources for students, such as science skills, literacy strategies, and media literacy among others.

See lab-aids.com/utah for SEEd standards alignment, recommended unit sequence, individual unit links, and more. Used with a student notebook and equipment. Sample notebook: http://online.flipbuilder.com/rqzd/ppss/mobile/index.html#p=40.