Task 2B: Earth's major spheres and how they support life

Task 2: Earth's Major Spheres

Earth has 4 major spheres: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the geosphere, and the biosphere.

We are going to explore each of these separately, and then you will have the chance to practice the skills in SCI.3 that will be assessed on your competency assignment.

Geosphere and Biosphere

Watch this Crash Course about the geosphere and the biosphere.

Write down one sentence that describes what the geosphere is.

Write down one sentence that describes what the biosphere is.

Look at the image to the right, and write down everything in the image that is part of the geosphere. Then write down everything in it that is part of the biosphere.

But how do these systems support life?

The geosphere provides a place to live with nutrients, nonrenewable resources (coal, oil, natural gas), and mineral resources.
The biosphere is anything in the geosphere, hydrosphere, or atmosphere that is living. It also serves as a food source for many living organisms.

Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

Watch this Crash Course about the hydrosphere and the atmosphere.

Write down one sentence that describes what the hydrosphere is.

Write down one sentence that describes what the atmosphere is.

Look at the image to the right, and write down everything in the image that is part of the hydrosphere. Then write down everything in it that is part of the atmosphere.

But again, how do they support life?

The hydrosphere provides water to all living things, nothing can survive without water.
The atmosphere provides protection from meteors, blocks the sun's harmful light, regulates the temperature of Earth, and provides the air living things breathe.

Checkpoint 2: Creating a Model

For this checkpoint, you will need to create a model of how one of the four spheres on Earth would be affected if a dam was put in (your hypothesis).

Question: How will a dam affect the normal behavior of ______________?

This can be done with an online program, construction paper, drawings, flow charts, or any other format you can think of. The main thing to remember is that a model depicts a natural phenomenon in a simplified way.

As long as your model is able to do that, it doesn't matter what format you complete it in.

In order to do this, you will need to Google your sphere and learn more about it. Write down your findings.

After you have done some research, decide what type of model will be best (poster, flow chart, Minecraft world, construction paper creation, diorama, etc. . .).

Assemble your model. You are not being graded against the continua yet, but do your best.

After you have assembled your model, bring it to Mrs. Reseigh and present it. Make sure you are able to answer the following questions in your presentation:

What is the purpose of your model?
What is the effect of the dam on the sphere you chose?
How can we see that effect in your model?
What are some limitations to your model?
- What are some things that could be improved to make it more accurate?
- Did you leave things out to keep it simple?
- How accurate is the model?
What are some strengths to your model?

I will give you feedback on your model and your ability to use it to explain your hypothesis (SCI.3 competencies).

Even though this is a very low-stakes presentation, it is still good practice for presenting. You will only be sharing to me and you will not be graded, however, here are some tips for success:

Practice your presentation multiple times before doing it in front of people
Practice in front of your family/friends
Write bullet points on a notecard to help when you get stuck
Stand up straight when you speak
Make eye contact with your audience
Make sure you are not blocking your visuals (in this case, a model)

Page updated

Report abuse