Earth Science

August Update

In August, we are beginning our 6th grade year by studying the geologic structures of the Colorado Plateau, specifically within the Grand Canyon. We will focus on the processes and history of the area, including stratigraphy and fossilization! Students will be able to construct a comprehensive history of the Grand Canyon based on the rocks observed in the area.

Curriculum - FOSS Earth History, Planetary Science, and Weather and Water

In the Earth History Course, students read evidence from rock, landforms, and fossils to tell the geological story of a place. Students grapple with Earth’s processes and systems that have operated over geological time, coming to understand the rock cycle, human interactions with natural resources, and the technology that supports the geosciences. Through their study of Earth history, students will become more confident in their ability to ask good questions and to recognize and use evidence from the rocks to come up with explanations of past environments. 

The Planetary Science Course develops a historical sense of humankind’s exploration of the cosmos and then delves in far greater depth into the modern questions surrounding space exploration. Students develop a thorough understanding of the local cosmos—including the organization of the solar system and the reason for the seasons—before turning their study to the top planetary science headlines of our times: the NASA Kepler Mission and the hunt for exoplanets.

The Weather and Water Course focuses on Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and water. Understanding weather is more than reading a thermometer and recording measurements. Students learn about atoms and molecules, density, wind, and energy transfer, then investigate phase change, the water cycle, ocean currents, climate change, and meteorology. 

Google Classroom Links: 

Please find your class below and click the link to join our Google Classroom. Please note, only C2E email addresses will be able to join our class, so make sure your student is logged in before you click "Join Class." 

3rd Period Earth Science 

6th Period Earth Science 

7th Period Earth Science 

Colorado State Standards

Please see https://www.cde.state.co.us/apps/standards/ (below) for information about the Colorado state standards.