Kansas Education Resource Center

 

Grade  :  Grade 10
Content Area  :  Environmental Education, Approved 1999

1 untitled
Learners demonstrate an understanding that the earth is a physical system.
1.1 untitled: Learners analyze the systems that shape the earth.
1.1.1 Learners describe how the distribution and transfer of heat energy affects climates throughout the earth.
1.1.2 Learners explain how wind and temperature patterns across land and ocean surfaces affect weather.
1.1.3 Learners describe the major landforms of the earth and the physical processes that form them.
1.1.4 Learners explain the causes and effects of plate tectonics (earth crust movements).
1.1.5 Learners describe how each of the 11 Physiographic Provinces of Kansas was formed, and how they are related to the natural communities of the state.
1.2 untitled: Learners analyze and communicate the basic properties of matter and energy.
1.2.1 Learners explain how the process of photosynthesis transforms the sun's energy in plants and releases oxygen into the air.
1.2.2 Learners explain how the process of respiration releases energy and carbon dioxide for growth and other life processes in plants and animals.
1.2.3 Learners illustrate how energy and matter flow in the biosphere.
1.2.4 Learners explain combustion (burning) of fossil fuels and the products of this process, such as energy for mechanical motion and waste products.
1.2.5 Learners illustrate how different elements and compounds cycle through ecosystems at different rates.

 

 

 

 

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Learners demonstrate an understanding of the relationships and interactions between organisms and the environment.
2.1 untitled: Learners analyze complex relationships among organisms and habitats.
2.1.1 Learners explain how habitat changes influence the size of plant and animal populations.
2.1.2 Learners explain how genetic diversity among individuals within a species increases the chances of survival of the species when environmental changes occur.
2.1.3 Learners explain how biodiversity of species in an environment increases the chances of survival of at least a few species.
2.2 untitled: Learners analyze the relationships between organisms' physical characteristics and behaviors and their ability to adapt to the environment.
2.2.1 Learners explain the relationship of genetic variation and rate of reproduction of a species to its chances of surviving the natural selection process during environmental change.
2.2.2 Learners explain how natural selection helps species adapt to a newly changed environment.
2.2.3 Learners explain how genetic variation within a species, and diversity of species within an environment, helps organisms to adapt to and survive future changes in the environment.
2.3 untitled: Learners analyze the interdependence of living organisms with each other and with the physical environment.
2.3.1 Learners explain how plants, animals, and all the physical components of ecosystems are connected.
2.3.2 Learners describe how ecosystems remain stable over long periods of time through interdependence, cyclic fluctuations, and equilibrium.
2.3.3 Learners explain how climate change, introduction of new species, and human impacts cause changes in ecosystems.
2.3.4 Learners describe the steps in succession of various biotic communities in Kansas.
2.3.5 Learners describe the factors that cause wildlife population change over time.

 

 

 

 

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Learners demonstrate an understanding of the varied roles and interactions between humans and the environment.
3.1 untitled: Learners analyze the relationships between individuals, groups, cultures, and the environment.
3.1.1 Learners explain how family, religion, gender, socioeconomics status, and other factors influence the values and perceptions individuals have about the environment.
3.1.2 Learners describe how the actions of businesses, community groups, and other societal organizations may bring about unintended impacts to the environment.
3.1.3 Learners explain how groups concerned about the environment meet the needs of group members, accomplish group goals, and influence society as a whole.
3.1.4 Learners explain how cultural change influences perceptions of the environment.
3.2 untitled: Learners analyze the relationships among laws, politics, economics, and the environment.
3.2.1 Learners explain scarcity and uneven distribution of resources as motivation factors behind the progress of economic systems.
3.2.2 Learners describe the role of private property rights in shaping decisions about land use in the United States and in Kansas.
3.2.3 Learners explain human rights, economic development, public health, resource allocation, and environmental quality from the perspectives of the individual, the community, the nation, and the world.
3.2.4 Learners describe the short-term and long-term costs and benefits of addressing local, national, and worldwide environmental problems.
3.2.5 Learners describe the governmental and non-governmental roles in addressing local, national, and worldwide environmental problems.
3.3 untitled: Learners investigate and analyze the relationships among resources, technology, and the environment.
3.3.1 Learners describe how technology has influenced the quality of life.
3.3.2 Learners describe how technology has altered the natural environment.
3.3.3 Learners describe how agriculture, mining, manufacturing, energy production, highway construction, and other economic development activities have benefited Kansas.
3.3.4 Learners describe how agriculture, mining, manufacturing, energy production, highway construction, and other economic development activities have altered the natural environment in Kansas.
3.3.5 Learners identify ways in which various resources can be reused and recycled.
3.4 untitled: Learners identify and evaluate environmental issues from multiple points of view
3.4.1 Learners identify the various uses of soil and water in Kansas.
3.4.2 Learners identify the risks and benefits that agriculture, petroleum production, manufacturing, energy production, human communities, and other economic development activities can have on soil and water in Kansas.
3.4.3 Learners describe the problems that Kansans face in regard to solid and hazardous waste disposal.
3.4.4 Learners describe the problems that Kansans face in regard to urban growth.
3.4.5 Learners identify the reasons that acquisition of private land for public use is an issue in Kansas. List the arguments for all sides of the issue.

 

 

 

 

4 untitled
Learners develop the abilities necessary to conduct scientific inquiries.
4.1 untitled: Learners demonstrate scientific questioning skills.
4.1.1 Learners identify an environmental topic to be studied using primary and secondary sources of information, and pose a research question or hypothesis, identifying key variables.
4.2 untitled: Learners demonstrate scientific inquiry skills.
4.2.1 Learners connect questions with appropriate means of inquiry, including scientific investigations, historical inquiry, and social science observation and research.
4.2.2 Learners use sampling techniques.
4.2.3 Learners apply observation and measurement skills in field situations.
4.2.4 Learners gather information form a variety of sources.
4.2.5 Learners perform basic statistical analyses to describe data using quantitative measures.
4.2.6 Learners look for and explain inconsistencies, such as faulty or misleading use of statistics, misrepresentation of data that is presented graphically, or biased selection of data to support a claim.
4.2.7 Learners use technology to interpret and communicate.
4.2.8 Learners integrate and summarize information using a variety of media.
4.2.9 Learners create models and simulations.
4.2.10 Learners differentiate between causes and effects and identify when causality is uncertain.
4.2.11 Learners develop new questions to stimulate further inquiry based on experience.

 

 

 

 

5 untitled
Learners develop the abilities necessary to participate and make informed decisions regarding environmental issues.
5.1 untitled: Learners demonstrate the skills necessary to understand and communicate ideas about environmental issues.
5.1.1 Learners identify and clearly articulate environmental issues and their connections with other issues.
5.1.2 Learners identify different perspectives on environmental issues and approaches to resolving them. Discuss assumptions and goals that underlie each position
5.1.3 Learners discuss the social, political, and economic implications of environmental issues.
5.1.4 Learners project the likely consequences of failure to resolve a specific environmental issue.
5.1.5 Learners justify their position on an analysis of information from a variety of sources, personal beliefs and values, and clear reasoning.
5.1.6 Learners consider viewpoints that differ from their own and information that challenges their position.
5.2 untitled: Learners exhibit an understanding of their role, as individuals, in environmental issues.
5.2.1 Learners evaluate whether personal involvement is warranted. Consider factors such as personal values, skills, resources, and commitment.
5.2.2 Learners describe and suggest ways individuals can work to change how institutions within society function.
5.2.3 Learners demonstrate a willingness to work toward the resolution of environmental issues.
5.2.4 Learners develop a "lessons learned" document or presentation to demonstrate comprehension of an environmental issue.
5.3 untitled: Learners analyze the role of democracy and other forms of government in environmental issues.
5.3.1 Learners identify shared political values and principles that unite U.S. citizens, and analyze conflicting views about their interpretation and application.
5.3.2 Learners explain the influence of citizen action and public opinion on particular policy decisions that affect the environment.
5.3.3 Learners describe the impact of citizen participation on public concerns and values such as environmental quality and quality of life.
5.3.4 Learners evaluate the extent to which individual and group action creates change, meets individual needs, and promotes the common good.
5.4 untitled: Learners demonstrate the skills necessary to take action on environmental issues and evaluate results
5.4.1 Learners define and clearly articulate environmental issues to be investigated, and identify connections with other issues.
5.4.2 Learners using various resources, identify key individuals and groups involved, and investigate and study proposed solutions for the values and perspectives they represent.
5.4.3 Learners investigate issues, applying research methods from the natural and social sciences.
5.4.4 Learners evaluate proposed solutions on the basis of their impacts on society and the environment, and on their effectiveness in resolving the issue.
5.4.5 Learners define and provide examples of community and individual action appropriate for proposed solutions.
5.4.6 Learners describe alternative points of view.
5.4.7 Learners explain whether action is needed. Account for factors such as the scale of the issue, proposed solutions, and legal, social, economic, and ecological consequences.
5.4.8 Learners describe proposed actions. Articulate well-reasoned arguments supporting their views and decisions.
5.4.9 Learners develop plans for individual and collective action based on their investigation and acquired knowledge.
5.4.10 Learners decide whether the plan should be implemented, modified, or abandoned.
5.4.11 Learners implement the action plan.
5.4.12 Learners evaluate the results.