Course Details

1. Describe how the scientific method is applied to the study of Earth science and how it is used to analyze Earth's systems.

2. Describe the formation of rocks and minerals and the changes they may undergo as they are affected by the processes of the rock cycle.

3. Explain the processes of weathering, erosion, and mass wasting and the effects these processes have on rocks and landforms.

4. Explain the wide range of changes on Earth and its lifeforms since its formation and the timing of those changes as determined using absolute and relative dating methods.

5. Analyze oceanographic data to characterize the composition, sea floor topography, structure and systems of the world's oceans, including their currents, waves, and tides.

6. Use pressure, moisture, and temperature data to describe the structure and circulation of Earth's atmosphere, climate, climate change, and weather systems.

7. Explain the scientifically accepted ideas of the formation of the solar system and describe the characteristics of the sun, planets, moons, and other materials found within it.

8. Explain how plate tectonics is an overarching concept in Earth Science and how the forces within the Earth create earthquakes, volcanoes, crustal plates, rocks, minerals, and ocean basins.

9. Evaluate the causes and effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, tornadoes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

1. Describe the scientifically accepted ideas concerning the formational processes of the solar system, general descriptions and arrangements of the planets and the details of the Earths formation.

2. Recognize the characteristics of the materials composing the Earth and be able to describe the conditions under which those materials form and where they can be found.

3. Identify, diagram, evaluate and explain the wide range of geologic, oceanographic and atmospheric processes and features that occur on Earth and describe the manner in which they are created and evolve.

4. Read and interpret geologic, oceanographic and atmospheric data from maps and charts of those types in order to deduce the features or conditions present and describe those features and phenomena of Earths surface.

5. Describe the processes and characteristics of plate tectonics and how plate motions influence geologic, oceanographic, and atmospheric features and events on Earth.

One of the biggest challenges for teachers who are starting out (and I speak from personal experience) is trying to get all of the activities and materials ready to go...every single day...Thus, I have 2 goals for this ePortfolio.

First, I want to help support you in growing your materials so that you have a head start as you head into your classroom. This is meant to be a place where you gather websites, activities, videos, etc...so that as you being planning your first teaching year, you have a space that you know you have gathered things that you found valuable and interesting.

Second, by starting an ePortfolio here at the beginning of your journey, you can also create pages where you can begin storing materials for other subject classes you might be taking (ie. math for elementary teachers), teaching pedagogy materials, your CV, etc...This can become a valuable as a hiring tool to let future employers see you as a person and the amazing work you are capable of doing.

This ePortfolio project will be worth 100% of your grade at the end of the semester. However, we will be building this throughout the semester with regular times of checking in with each other on how the site is looking. Thus, if you pace yourself well and work consistently throughout the semester, you will have an amazing piece of work by the end that you will be extremely proud of.

Ready to get started? Go to the ePortfolio instructions on your Canvas page.