Our Earth Middle & High School (10 Weeks: Grades 6-12)

Our Earth

A survey combination of Earth Science, Meteorology, and Geology in one.

10 Week Course

Registration Open All Year

Grades: 6-12th    

Description of Class: In this course students will focus on the basics of Earth Science using plenty of hands-on activities, interactive assessments, projects, collections and more to help with comprehension.

Students will begin learning about the layers of the Earth, how volcanoes play a part in the cause of tsunamis, how the Statue of Liberty has been affected by chemical weathering, how rocks change over time, and how to predict the weather. This survey course can serve as a lab credit, introduction to Earth Science, or accompany a current Earth Science class. 

Class Approach: Students will work in GC on 5-7 weekly assignments. Along the way, students will add assignments, notes, and diagrams to their science spiral notebook. This course will be heavy with hands-on activities, so plan to be amazed by “Our Earth”.

Goals:

-Identify and describe the components of the physical Earth as a system (inner core, outer core, mantle, crust)

-Describe the physical characteristics of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, including crystal size and shape, mineral and chemical composition, density, and origin.

-Describe how convection, density, and the law of conservation explain the movement of materials within the rock cycle.

-Describe the constructive and destructive processes that drive the rock cycle, including sedimentation, lithification, crystallization, deformation, deposition, erosion, melting, cooling, metamorphism, subsidence, and weathering,

-Explain plate tectonics in terms of magnetic reversals and outer core circulation, mantle convection, sea floor spreading, and subduction.

-Describe how the Theory of Plate Tectonics explains the location of earthquakes, volcanoes, hot spots, mountains, mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea trenches, and island arcs.

-Explain the role of gravity and natural agents (water, wind, glaciers) on Earth (landform changes) and how they impact the rock cycle.

-Identify and describe the components of the atmosphere and the hydrosphere.

-Explain and give examples of the dynamic balance between matter and energy within the atmospheric and hydrospheric systems.

-Give examples of how changes in one part of the atmosphere or hydrologic cycle affect other Earth systems and human activity.

Textbook: Various resources will be used in the class, but all chapters will be provided via pdf from Cengage, CK-12, Holt and Glencoe resources. 

Additional Supplies/Resources Needed:

• Webcam, microphone, printer, and computer

• Spiral notebook (90 pgs or more) for note-taking

• Notebook (journal), pens, pencils, scissors, tape, glue, computer paper, construction paper,

coloring pencils, markers

• Play-doh or clay for several activities

• Cardboard box for space diorama

• Notecards, highlighter, and something to hold notecards for each week (ziploc bags)

• Various rocks collected, and box for collection

• Skittles, plate, and water for weathering experiment

• Chocolate chip cookies, toothpicks, and plates for mineral mining lab activity.

• Edible soil cup (clear cup, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, food coloring, oreos, cookies)

• Shoebox, cardstock, and coloring pencils for seafloor topography display (some students

created it out of Legos if you prefer to use Legos)

• Container, dirt, and water for erosion experiment.

• Container, sand or dirt, water, cardboard for tsunami water table.

• Starburst candies, ziploc bag, and access to a microwave for a rock cycle experiment.

• Old pennies, vinegar, and clear cup for penny chemical weathering lab.

Requirements: The student will need access to a computer and wifi. Studens will need to be able to upload images of work, upload video responses, and complete assignments.

Weekly Homework: Students will have 5-6 min assignments each week. In addition to weekly assignments, labs and online interactives are part of the curriculum. This course provides lots of hands-on activities and labs. 

Anticipated Weekly Course Topics:

Week 1 Earth Layers, Clay/ Play-Doh Earth Layer Model

Week 2 Plate Tectonics, Alfred Wegener, Pangaea Puzzle Piece

Week 3-4 Volcanoes, Tsunami, Seafloor Topography, Sea Floor 3D Model, Tsunami Water Table

Week 5 Types of Rocks, Rock Collection

Week 6 Rock Cycle, Starburst Rock Cycle Demonstration

Week 7 Weathering-Chemical vs Physical Weathering, Penny Lab

Week 8 Erosion, Deposition,Water Cycle

Week 9 Climate, Habitats, Temperature, Wind Current

Week 10 Weather,Severe Weather, Dust Storm News Report Activity, Be A Meteorologist For The Day

Tuition

Self Paced $100 ($10/Week)

Live Zoom Option $250 ($25/Zoom For 10 Zooms)