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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.