Unit Activities: Earth Systems
by Jon Stern
New Paltz High School, New York
Name:
Unit Objectives
Know the characteristics of earth's layers.
Recognize processes that cause layers to exchange matter or
energy.
Calculate and appreciate the relative thickness of the layers.
Understand why the earth is layered.
"C" Level Work (50 points maximun)
(underlined assignments are mandatory)
(*check the rubrics for this activity)
Take notes for each lesson: (15 points) *
Earth Layers (5 points)
Using the Earth Science Reference Tables (5 points)
Earth Systems (5 points)
Earth Science A to Z: (5 points) write words that you
believe are related to earth science that begins with each letter
of the alphabet. Be ready to explain why 10 randomly selected
words are on your list.
Flash Cards: (10 points)* create flash cards using the following
words- lithosphere, crust, mantle, inner core, outer core, atmosphere,
hydrosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
aesthenosphere, geosphere
Concept Map: (10 points)* create a map using the following
words- lithosphere, crust, mantle, core, atmosphere, hydrosphere,
gas, solid, liquid, water, rock. You may do this on a sheet
of paper or use the computer program "Inspiration".
Create a web page: (10 points)* the page should include information
from the Earth Layers lecture.
Book Work: (5 points)* read Earth Systems on Pp. 7-9
and on P. 9 complete questions 4,5, & 6.
Earthweek: (5 points) go to the Earth Systems Unit on the class
web site and follow the Earthweek link and download "This Week's"
map. Create a flow chart for 5 of the articles following the
same format from the lecture on Earth Systems.
Earth Science Picture: (5 points) either take a picture, find
a picture, or draw a picture that includes 4 of the Earth's
Systems. Label each system that is represented and give 2 examples
of how matter or energy is being exchanged between these systems.
Web Site Activity: (10 points)* go to the Earth Systems Unit
on the class web site and follow the Exploring Earth link. Enter
Keycode ES0103 (How Are Earth's Spheres Interacting) or Keycode
ES0108 (How Do Interactions Among Earth's Spheres Vary Regionally?)
Choose only 1 of these.
Create a web page: (10 points)* the page should include information
from the Earth Systems lecture. You may not do this if you already
created a web page.
Worksheet- Atmospheric Variables: (5 points)*
Book Work: (5 points)* read Atmospheric Basics on Pp. 271-274
and complete study guide 11-1
"B" Level Work (15 points maximum)*
Lab: A Scale Model of the Earth (15 points)
Lab: Why Does the Earth Have Layers (15 points)
"A" Level Work (15 points maximum)*
Which layer of the earth is most affected by pollution? (15
points)
Why does Chaos Theory make it difficult to predict the eventual
effect of human impact upon earth systems? (15 points)
Why is carbon found in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere,
and biosphere? (15 points)
Dr Kathie Nunley
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