Clues to Earth's Past                                                         

 a.)  Conditions necessary for fossils to form

 b.)  Describe several processes of fossil formation

 c.)  How fossil correlation is used to determine rock ages

 d.)  Describe methods used to assign relative ages to rock layers

 e.)  Interpret gaps in the rock record

 f.)  Give example of how rock layers are correlated with other rock layers

        Geologic Time

 a.)  Explain how geologic time can be divided into units

 b.)  Relate changes of Earth's organisms to divisions on the geologic time scale

 c.)  Describe how plate tectonics affects species

 d.)  Identify characteristic Precambrian and Paleozoic life-forms

 e.)  Draw conclusions about how species adapted to changing environments in

      Precambrian time and Paleozoic Era

  f.)  Describe changes in Earth and its life-forms at the end of the Paleozoic Era

  g.)  Compare and contrast characteristic life-forms in the Mesozoic   and Cenozoic Eras

  h.)  Explain how changes caused by plate tectonics affected organisms during the Mesozoic Era

   i.)   Identify when humans first appeared on Earth

     Weathering and Soil

  a.)  Describe the difference between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering

  b.)  Explain the effects of climate on weathering

  c.)  Explain how soil develops from rock

  d.)  Describe soil by comparing soil horizons

  e.)  Describe factors that affect the development of soils

   f.)  Explain why soil is important

  g.)   Identify human activities that lead to soil loss

  h.)   Describe ways to reduce soil loss

             Erosional Forces 

  a.)  Explain the differences between erosion and deposition

  b.)  Compare and contrast slumps/creep/mudslides and rockslides

  c.)  Explain why building on steep slope might not be wise

  d.)  Explain how glaciers move

  e.)  Describe evidence of glacial erosion and deposition

   f.)  Compare and contrast till and outwash

  g.)  Explain how wind causes deflation and abrasion

  h.)  Recognize how loess and dunes form

   i.)  Identify the causes and effects of runoff