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.

Practice your metacognition, not just checking off boxes

As mentioned in the Ungrading page of the liquid syllabus, you and I will be working together to identify where your learning is at and set a grade together. However, I know that this is new and many students don't have much (or any) practice at actually pausing to reflect on their own learning. There will be several opportunities for you to do this, but below you will find some guidelines for helping you identify where you are in the class.

IMPORTANT: I am a little worried about putting this out there because I want your focus to be on the LEARNING not just on checking boxes. Please only use this to start practicing really reflecting on what you've been doing and how well you can discuss the various concepts.

Due Dates:

Initial Submission

All assignments are due on their due date. Since I know that all of you have a life that includes more than just school, there is a ONE week grace period in which you can still submit the assignment. Should there be an extraordinary situation, please communicate with me as soon as possible so that we can identify a plan that will work for both of us.

After the grace week, I will not accept them. This is NOT meant to punitive, it is merely to help you move through the class in a stepwise manner that will facilitate more solid and engaged learning. Trying to do everything at the end leads to shallow learning and overwhelm, neither of which is helpful to your mental health!

However, I want you to realize a couple of things: 

1) I gave the assignment for a reason. It teaches you the material, so it is still valuable for you to complete it for your own learning. 

2) Use this missed opportunity as an experience to learn what you could change in your planning or schedule to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Resubmissions

All assignments may be resubmitted. In an effort to help you understand the material the best you can, a resubmission within a week is best. However, I will give you 2 weeks to resubmit.