Image showing all four Earth spheres of the Chesapeake Bay.

Earth Systems and the Bay

Grade 5

This lesson focuses on two main ideas:

That the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem has components that are part of all four of Earth’s spheres
There are many complex interactions among the four Earth spheres within the Chesapeake Bay ecosystems

Procedure

INTRODUCTION (15 minutes)

Read the introduction to students and review new vocabulary. Students will watch the “Creatures of the Chesapeake” video. After the video, have a discussion around the essential questions and thinking questions aligned to the topic and video. Discuss the career connections related to the Chesapeake Bay and Earth spheres with students.

EXTENSION (15-30 minutes)

Complete extension activities with students, as you see fit.

ASSESSMENT (15 minutes)

Have students apply their newfound knowledge by completing a Summative CER on the lesson using evidence from the video and activities as support.

REFLECTION (10 minutes)

Have students complete a reflection.

Standards

NGSS Performance Expectation

5-ESS2-1. Earth's Systems
Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and Using Models
Modeling in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to building and revising simple models and using models to represent events and design solutions.
- Develop a model using an example to describe a scientific principle.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems
- Earth’s major systems are the geosphere (solid and molten rock, soil, and sediments), the hydrosphere (water and ice), the atmosphere (air), and the biosphere (living things, including humans). These systems interact in multiple ways to affect Earth’s surface materials and processes. The ocean supports a variety of ecosystems and organisms, shapes landforms, and influences climate. Winds and clouds in the atmosphere interact with the landforms to determine patterns of weather.
Crosscutting Concepts
Systems and System Models
- A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.

Maryland Environmental Literacy Standard

Standard 2
Human Dependence on Earth Systems and Natural Resources: Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of how Earth’s systems and natural resources support human existence.

Summative CER

Option 1:

Explain how the Chesapeake Bay is an ecosystem composed of many interactions among Earth's spheres. Use evidence and reasoning from the videos and activities to support your explanation.

Option 2:

There are many interactions between the hydrosphere and the biosphere in the Chesapeake Bay. Provide descriptions and examples of these interactions. Use evidence and reasoning from the videos and activities to support your descriptions and examples.

Reflection Questions

What components of the Bay are a part of the atmosphere, the biosphere, the geosphere and the hydrosphere?
How do the interactions among Earth’s four spheres make the Chesapeake Bay a unique and special ecosystem?

Summative CER Rubric

Scoring Rubric Components	No Response Score Point 0	Not There Yet Score Point 0.5	Beginning To Score Point 0.75	Yes Score Point 1.0
CLAIM	The claim is missing.	The claim is incorrect or irrelevant.	The claim partially takes a position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt.	The claim takes an appropriate position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt.
EVIDENCE	There is no type of evidence in the response.	The evidence is irrelevant or does not support the claim.	The evidence partially supports the claim and demonstrates some understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources.	The evidence supports the claim and demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources.
REASONING	There is no use of words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.	Use of words, phrases and clauses fail to show or explain any relationship between the claim and evidence.	Scientific words, phrases, and clauses used lack cohesion but partially clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.	Appropriate scientific words, phrases, and clauses are used to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.

References

Maryland Public Television (MPT)