Key Idea 1: The Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 1.1: Explain complex phenomena, such as tides, variations in day length, solar insolation, apparent motion of the planets, and annual traverse of the constellations.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1a: Most objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motion.

• These motions explain such phenomena as the day, the year, seasons, phases of the moon, eclipses, and tides.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1c: Earth's coordinate system of latitude and longitude, with the equator and prime meridian as reference lines, is based upon Earth's rotation and our observation of the Sun and stars.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1d: Earth rotates on an imaginary axis at a rate of 15 degrees per hour. To people on Earth, this turning of the planet makes it seem as though the Sun, the moon, and the stars are moving around Earth once a day. Rotation provides a basis for our system of local time; meridians of longitude are the basis for time zones.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1e: The Foucault pendulum and the Coriolis effect provide evidence of Earth's rotation.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1e: The Foucault pendulum and the Coriolis effect provide evidence of Earth's rotation.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDING 1.1f: Earth's changing position with regard to the Sun and the moon has noticeable effects.

KEY IDEA 1: The central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations of natural phenomena in a continuing and creative process

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 1.2: Hone ideas through reasoning, library research, and discussion with others, including experts

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 3.1: Use various methods of representing and organizing observations (e.g. diagrams, tables, charts, graphs, equations matrices) and insightfully interpret the organized data

Reading: Key Ideas and Details

Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text’s explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.

Reading: Craft and Structure

Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and topics.

Reading: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.

Reading: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently

Writing: Range of Writing

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.