--- title: Earth’s Systems 14 description: Earth’s Systems 14 Use a model to represent how any two systems, specifically the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere, interact and support life. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # Earth’s Systems 14 Use a model to represent how any two systems, specifically the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere, interact and support life. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse Earth’s Systems 14 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-02-47-23-7451-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) ## [Plate Tectonics and Landform Patterns In this unit, students study Earth’s systems, analyzing the science phenomena of natural processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, students model the different ways that tectonic plates move to observe how landforms are created. This page showcases key aspects of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-02-50-14-1580-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) ## [Water Erosion In this unit, students stimulate the movement of tectonic plates and analyze maps to observe how plate boundaries create patterns in Earth’s features. In this lesson, they build on that knowledge to observe the science phenomenon of how water erodes sediment. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-02-54-06-8970-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) ## [Changing Earth's Surface In this unit, students study Earth’s systems, analyzing the science phenomena of natural processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, students analyze clues in Earth’s rock to determine how Earth’s surface has changed over time. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-03-00-08-0564-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/earth-materials-and-water-flow) ## [Earth Materials and Water Flow In this unit, students focus on the science phenomena of Earth’s interacting systems, evaluating how the hydrosphere and geosphere are shaped by one another. In the first lesson of the unit, students conduct an experiment to determine how the particle size of an Earth material affects its permeability to water. This page highlights key excerpts from the components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/earth-materials-and-water-flow) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/earth-materials-and-water-flow) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-03-07-17-7183-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-permeable-concrete) ## [Engineering Permeable Concrete In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of Earth systems by studying aquifers, comparing the ability of different Earth materials to hold water. In this lesson, they build on that knowledge to engineer permeable pavement that can solve the problems of urban flooding and water pollution. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-permeable-concrete) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-permeable-concrete) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-03-08-23-2403-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/hydroelectric-dams-and-the-environment) ## [Hydroelectric Dams and the Environment In this unit, students focus on Earth’s interacting systems, evaluating how the hydrosphere and geosphere are shaped by one another. In this lesson, they analyze how people use dams to harness the energy in water, and how dams impact the environment. This page highlights each element of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/hydroelectric-dams-and-the-environment) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/hydroelectric-dams-and-the-environment) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-51-41-5726-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) ## [Heat and Evaporation In the last unit, students learned about matter as they explored Earth’s position in the solar system. In this unit, students discuss how the sun provides light and heat to Earth, powering the water cycle, which in turn influences weather and climate. Students analyze the science phenomena of weather patterns in specific regions during a particular season. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-11-58-00-9482-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/flood-control-engineering) ## [Flood Control Engineering In this unit, students discover how the sun provides light and heat to Earth and how the water cycle influences weather and climate. Students analyze weather patterns in specific regions during a particular season. They then use that knowledge to study the effects of extreme weather on humans, evaluating solutions to protect against those effects. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/flood-control-engineering) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/flood-control-engineering) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-06-50-09-1556-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) ## [Greenhouse Effect In this unit, students figure out the relationship between human activities and the phenomena of global warming. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-09-2023-06-50-12-9288-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-greenhouses) ## [Engineering Greenhouses In this unit, students evaluate how Earth is heated unevenly by investigating how the angle that the sun’s rays hit Earth affects temperatures at different locations. In this lesson, students use their scientific knowledge of phenomena related to global warming and climate to engineer a model greenhouse that reaches a specific temperature. This pages provides a snapshot of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-greenhouses) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-greenhouses) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(37).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/glacier-motion) ## [Glacier Motion In this unit, students analyze the phenomena that have shaped Earth’s surface, analyzing how gravitational energy moves glaciers, which have sculpted the land over time. This page showcases elements of the first lesson which focuses on glacier motion.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/glacier-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/glacier-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(38).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/climate-analysis) ## [Climate Analysis In this unit, students focus on the phenomena of Earth’s ice as they model how glaciers shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, they investigate how scientists use ice cores to reconstruct Earth’s past climates and environments. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/climate-analysis) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/climate-analysis) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-11-55-14-8786-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/weather-and-climate) ## [Weather and Climate In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of Earth’s weather system and analyze how heat from the sun warms Earth’s surface unevenly, powering the water cycle, which in turn drives weather and climate on the planet. Students create weather instruments to collect and analyze daily weather data. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/weather-and-climate) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/weather-and-climate) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-10-49-29-8108-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) ## [Earth's Surface Features In this unit, students analyze the science phenomena of how elements make up minerals, which make up rocks. In this lesson, they explore geologic phenomena that cause Earth’s surface to change over time in predictable patterns. This page is an overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-08-2023-10-49-46-7511-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) ## [Weathering Rocks In this unit, students explore science phenomena including the processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, they figure out how weathering and erosion affect different categories of rocks. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/earths-systems-14", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Earth’s Systems 14 Use a model to represent how any two systems, specifically the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere, interact and support life." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```