Download File - Mount Pleasant Middle School Media Center

Pathfinder: The Hydrosphere
Julie Stephenson
LIBS 6014
Dr. P. Jones
December 1, 2009
Pathfinder on the Hydrosphere
Scope Statement:
The hydrosphere, all the waters of the Earth including clouds, oceans, water
vapor, underground water supplies, etc., is covered in the eighth grade science
curriculum. North Carolina’s Standard Course of Study (SCOS), Objective 3,
states that students will “investigate and utilize appropriate technologies and
information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere” (2009).
Students will analyze the properties of water, the structure of the hydrosphere,
hydrospheric data, evaluate technologies used to monitor the hydrosphere,
evaluate the Earth’s oceans, and describe how humans affect water quality.
Objective 3 is a large portion of the science curriculum, and the following
pathfinder provides additional resources for teachers and students. The range of
materials allows teachers to differentiate instruction. There are visual, auditory,
and tactile books and websites. Teachers can also select resources based on
the Lexile level of information presented.
Introduction:
Mt. Pleasant Middle School is located in a small, rural community where both soil
and water are important. Many of the students live and work on family farms.
Water quality and quantity are important to the students, their crops, and their
livestock. Both eighth grade science teachers and the media specialist will use
the pathfinder to teach Objective 3 on the SCOS. In addition to the pathfinder,
library resources such as reference books and the school’s online catalog
search, WebPath Express, will provide students with content specific materials.
Students will analyze and learn from an abundance of in-depth, interesting
resources.
Classification Numbers:
Call number
550
551.5
551.5
551.6
Sears Subject Headings
Name
Earth sciences
atmosphere
meteorology
climate
Subject Headings and Keywords:
Middle school students have the opportunity to select from many subject
headings to locate information on the hydrosphere.
Broader terms:
Atmosphere
Earth sciences
Narrower terms:
Air
Biosphere
Floods
Geobiology
Geoscience
Geosphere
Humidity
Hydrometeorology
See also:
Climate
Meteorology
Weather
Additional keywords for Online Searches:
Biological Systems
Clouds
Condensation
Evaporation
Freshwater
Global Climate Change
Global Warming
Groundwater
Liquid, Solid, Gas
Oceans
Pollution
Precipitation
Surface Runoff
Water Cycle
Water Quality
Wetland Biomes
Wetland Restoration
Reference Sources:
Bibliographic Resources
Pidwirny, M. (2006). The hydrologic cycle. Fundamentals of physical geography
(2nd ed.). Retrieved September 7, 2009 on
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/8b.html
Using the school’s online Webpath Express, students can access
PhysicalGeography.net and view Chapter 8: Introduction to the Hydrosphere.
The website includes grade appropriate passages which explain key scientific
terms. The site also includes an illustration of the hydrologic cycle and tables
(Inventory of water at the Earth’s surface, Typical residence times of water found
in various reservoirs).
Encyclopedias
Considine, G. D. (Ed.). (2002). Van Nostrand’s scientific encyclopedia (9th ed.).
New York, NY: Wiley.
Each volume begins with a page called Representative Topical Coverage which
can be used as a quick guide for users. In the unit called Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences, topics include climatology, ecology, hydrology, and geology. At the
end of each entry there are suggested readings and internet references. There
are time lines and glossaries for some of the larger units. There are brief
biographies of major scientists, diagrams, graphs, and photographs in black and
white. The terminology is more academic in nature. As an example, the topic
biome is covered in approximately three pages with one illustration. The most
useful part of this section is the list of additional readings suggested.
Dasch. E. J. (Ed.). (1996). Macmillan encyclopedia of earth sciences. New York,
NY: Simon & Schuster/Macmillan.
The encyclopedia is a two-volume set geared toward high school students,
undergraduate students, and educators. There are five major sections which
include Earth Resources and Stewardship, Solid Earth Processes, and Surficial
Earth Processes. There are limited short biographies of key earth scientists,
illustrations and photographs (some in color), references for further research,
explanations of acronyms and abbreviations, and an index. The Hydrologic
Cycle is covered in approximately seven pages. Subtopics include chemical
composition of runoff, chemical composition of the ocean, water use, and
drinking water quality. Charts and tables cover quantities of water on the globe,
the hydrologic cycle, magnitude of runoff from the continents, etc. There are only
three bibliographic sources listed at the end of the entry.
Earth. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from
Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition:
http://school.eb.com/eb/article-54197
The Encyclopedia Britannica’s Online School Edition has an entry on the
hydrosphere. Within the Earth entry, students are able to access an article on
the hydrosphere, an illustration, and definitions to key terms. Students are also
able to access related articles, maps and tags, images, media, and tables that
are listed in a side box. The information is provided in vocabulary that is age
appropriate.
Parker, S.P. (Ed.). (1997). McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology
(8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
This is a twenty volume set. Each entry begins with a definition followed by a
brief overview of the subject. Information is clear and meant to be understood.
There are over 13,000 illustrations in the set; there are also drawings, maps,
charts, and graphs mostly in color. Topics can also be located alphabetically or
can be found in the Topical Index.
Weigel, M. (2000). U. X. L. encyclopedia of biomes. Farmington Hills, MI: UXL.
Written for juveniles, the three volume encyclopedia covers twelve of the major
biomes on earth and their ecosystems. Each chapter provides an overview, a
description of the formation of the biome, their climate, animals, plants, growing
seasons, economy, etc. There is also a Spotlight within each chapter, and the
chapter ends with resource lists that include internet sites, books, periodicals,
and environmental organizations for further research. The encyclopedia opens
with a color-coded world biome map, and there is a sixteen page color insert in
addition to many black and white photos, maps, and illustrations throughout.
This resource would be beneficial to a study of ecology and the hydrosphere.
Ready References
The handy science answer book (2nd ed.). (1997). Detroit, MI: Visible Ink Press.
Produced by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburg, the answer book attempts to
answer reference questions. The staff addresses topics in the sciences such as
general science and technology, human body, health and medicine, biology,
environment, energy, earth, and climate and weather for instance. The answers
are written in a non-technical manner. After the question and answer section are
suggestions for further reading and the index. The area titled Environment
covers the topics of ecology, resources, biomes, ozone, and greenhouse effect.
Krebs, R. E. (Ed.). (2003). The basics of earth science. Santa Barbara, CA:
Greenwood Publishing.
The Basics of Earth Science, part of the Basics of Hard Science series, provides
a description of the earth’s atmosphere, including the biosphere and hydrosphere
in nine chapters. There is information on the history of atmospheric discoveries
and famous discoverers. The text includes clear, straightforward descriptions,
end of the chapter notes, additional resources, and some colored illustrations.
The source is perhaps geared toward teachers, but it is one of the most thorough
resources found on the hydrosphere to date.
Rennie, J. (Ed.). (1999). Scientific American science desk reference. New York,
NY: Wiley.
In a one volume, easy-to-use reference, one can find an overview of topics, a
chronology of major discoveries, and a list of further readings. There are over
five hundred biographies of key scientists, thousands of glossary terms, and
hundreds of web sites are listed. There are also illustrations, charts, tables, and
diagrams. In addition, there are small boxes with interesting facts, mnemonic
aids, and quizzes offered to help assess one’s understanding of a topic. In the
section Earth Science: The Atmosphere and the Hydrosphere, there are forty
pages filled with clear descriptions of subtopics, charts/tables (i.e. Major Floods
and Tsunamis of the 20th Century, four pages charting Earth Science
Chronology), and illustrations (the process of advection fog). The next unit,
Environment and Ecology covers forty-one pages on topics such as the
ecosystem, biomes, environmental issues, resources, and conservation.
Dictionaries
Clark, J. O. E., & Stiegeler, S. (Eds.). (2000). The facts on file dictionary of earth
science (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Market House Books.
This dictionary is designed specifically for students in school and is one of many
in a series. There is not a content page, index, or any other major element of a
typical dictionary. There are only two pages in the appendix dedicated to the
chemical elements. Key terms such as biome, biosphere, hydrologic cycle,
hydrosphere, and climatology are clear and concise.
Hydrosphere. (2009). In The American Meteorological Society glossary of
meteorology (2nd ed.) [Electronic version.]. Ed. by T.S. Glickman.
Retrieved September 23, 2009, from http://amsglossary.allenpress.com
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) Glossary of Meteorology provides a
middle school appropriate definition of hydrosphere and other key terms dealing
with the atmosphere. Each definition is clear, to the point, and has links to other
words students may not know in the original definition.
Stevenson, A. (Ed.). (1988). Webster’s new geographical dictionary. Springfield,
MA: Merriam-Webster.
The dictionary has over 47,000 entries and 218 maps. In addition to providing
the typical alphabetical arrangement, syllabic division, and pronunciation,
individual entries include cross references, abbreviations and symbols, and
tables as needed. When referencing areas such as North American or Asian
deserts or Canadian grasslands, users can look up key terms.
Atlases, Gazetteers, Geographical Information Systems, & Travel Guides
Day, J. A., & Schaefer, V. J. (1991). Peterson first guides to clouds and weather:
a simplified field guide to the atmosphere. New York, NY: Houghton
Mifflin.
The small field guide is intended for those who need a simple starting point. In
125 pages, the guide covers all topics surrounding the atmosphere ranging from
air masses, clouds, and greenhouse effect to specific people, cities, and
spacecraft. The guide includes illustrations and an index.
Sloane, E. (2005). Eric Sloane’s weather almanac. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur
Press.
Sloane’s weather almanac is a great resource for students. Eric Sloane was not
trained as a meteorologist, pilot, or artist, yet he accomplished each goal. The
three trades helped him observe clouds and the atmosphere and report his
findings in laymen terms. The resource reads like a journal with weeks and
months listed in the margins. Illustrations are black and white hand drawings that
are easy to understand. Observations addressed include “Why some thunder
rumbles and some claps” and “Weather tends to move 5 to 6 hundred miles a
day, Eastward (faster in winter).”
Biographical Information Sources
Culligan, J. (Ed.). (1999). Macmillan profiles: scientists and inventors. New York,
NY: Macmillan Library.
This reference sources provides over 100 notable scientists. The entries
describe the life of the scientist, time lines, notable quotations, definitions and
glossary, sidebars, suggested readings, and an index. Illustrations are in black
and white. Many key terms are defined in the margins of the text which allow the
reader to remain focused.
McMurray, E.J. (Ed.). (1995). Notable twentieth-century scientists. New York,
NY: Gale.
Designed for educators, students, librarians, researchers, and general
audiences, the four volume set provides easy access to the information by using
an entry head, biographical essay, selected writings of the selected scientists,
and sources. There are many indexes including a field of specialization, gender,
nationality/ethnicity, and subject index. Within the Field of Specialization Index
(Vol. 4), one can find listings for atmospheric, climatology, conservation, ecology,
geology, and hydrology, to name a few. The resource is written in a nontechnical manner and will provide a basic starting point for users.
Olson, R. (Ed.). (1998). Biographical encyclopedia of scientists. Tarrytown, NY:
Marshall Cavendish.
This is a five volume source that provides biographical information about
scientists. The noted scientists are located at the front of each volume on the
Contents page. Each scientist has a chronological list of achievements, a written
description of their life, a portrait (if available), a description of the
achievement(s), and a bibliography by/about the scientist. Volume 5 offers a
Glossary with definitions of terms, a country list of the scientists, and even a list
of scientific achievements arranged by discipline.
Travers, B. (Ed.). (1994). World of scientific discovery: scientific milestones and
the people who made them possible (1st ed.). Detroit, MI: Gale.
As a resource designed for the average reader, this resource contains two types
of entries—subject entries and biographical entries. The who, what, where, and
when are covered, but the why is an important aspect of each entry. Why did the
discovery come about and what is the social impact. Environmental
sciences/Ecology, Geology, and Meteorology are covered in an encyclopedic
fashion. Scientists such as Pierre Laplace, who introduced hydrodynamics, can
be located within the subject entry Ocean Currents and Tides (Travers, 488).
Government Information Sources
Geology research and information. (2009). United States Geological Survey
(USGS). Retrieved November 4, 2009 from http://geology.usgs.gov/
The USGS website covers topics such as climate change, energy/mineral
resources, ecosystems, human health, ground water availability, and geologic
hazards and disasters. The site provides real time data, weather, and hazards.
There are also links to other key terms such as geography, biology, hydrology,
geospatial information, education, and USGS Library.
Hydrosphere. (2009). National Science Foundation (NSF). Retrieved November
20, 2009 from
http://www.nsf.gov/search/index.jsp?QueryText=hydrosphere&coll=news&
site=NSF
The National Science Foundation website offers a plethora of resources for
teachers and students. A simple search of hydrosphere produces six resources.
Once a search is complete, one can sort results by looking at all of NSF, the
News, Discoveries, and Publications. The site also offers a classroom resource
section at http://www.nsf.gov/news/classroom/earth-environ.jsp. There are many
teacher and student friendly lesson plans, web resources, and sites.
Water resources. (2009). Government Documents Center. Retrieved November
20, 2009 from http://www.lib.umich.edu/government-documentscenter/explore/browse/statistics+environment+united-states+waterresources/1107/search/
This is a great resource for finding reports from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), National Oceanographic Data Center, and the Center for
Watershed Protection. Many of the links allow one to search by zip code for local
statistics. Envirofacts such as facilities that have reported hazardous wastes,
those that have permits to discharge into waters, and those permitted to release
air pollutants are all available through the Government Documents Center.