Download Purpose, Standards and Prelesson

APES Unit on Planet Earth
Learning Context:
This class visit to the American Museum of Natural History is designed for
my AP Environmental Science (APES) class. These are Junior and Seniors
who have competed successfully (hopefully) Living Environment and Earth
Science. The APES course is one that consist of cross curriculum subjects
including Earth Science Biology, Chemistry Economics, and Math. The focus
with this trip is to review basic earth science concepts that answer the
questions:
 How has the Earth evolved?*
 What major geologic processes occur within the earth and on its
surface?
o Why are there ocean basins, continents, and mountains?*
 What are rocks and minerals, and how are they recycled by the rock
cycle?
o How do scientists read the rocks?*
o How are minerals used by humans
o Will we have enough of these nonrenewable resources
 What factors influence the earth’s climate?
There are two types of standards that these lessons will address. The first
listed is those from The College Board from a topics list for the APES
course. These are
1. Earth Systems and Resources
A. Earth Science Concepts (geologic time scale; plate tectonics,
earthquakes, volcanism; seasons. Solar intensity and latitude)
D. Soil and Soil Dynamics (rock cycle; formation; composition;
physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and other
soil problems; soil conservation)
The second type of standard below are those from the “NYS Math,
Science, and Technology standards”*.
Standard 4: Science, physical setting:
Knowledge of Earth phenomena that involves interactions among components
of air, water, and land that helps students to do the following:
 Explain how the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere, (water), and
lithosphere (land) interact, evolve, and change;
 Describe volcanic and earthquake patterns; explain the rock and water
cycles;
 Describe current theories about the origin of the universe;
 Use concepts of density and heat energy to explain observations of
weather patterns, and the movements of the Earth’s plates;
 Explain how incoming solar radiation, currents, and land masses affect
weather and climate
Standard 6: Interconnectedness, patterns of change Identify patterns
of change to make predictions about future behavior and conditions.
Standard 7: Interdisciplinary problem solving Combine the knowledge and
skills of Mathematics, science, and technology to make informed decisions
and solve problems, especially those relating to issues of
science/technology/society, consumer decision making, design, and inquiry
into phenomena
At the end of this Fieldtrip Unit students will be able to:
 Explain with understanding how convection currents of air, water and
land have affected the Earth to bring about the habitable Earth of
today with its weather and climate.
 Explain with understanding how the movement of the Earth’s plates
along with its composition results in earthquakes, volcanoes and the
rock cycle
 Explain with understanding the current ideas on the origin of the
universe
Source = Middle and High school Educator’s Guide to The Gottesman Hall
of Planet Earth
The Cultural Institution:
This series of lessons is planned around a visit to The Gottesman Hall of
Planet Earth of the American Museum of Natural History located at
Central Park West and 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192.
Not only was my previous visit a support to these lessons but the ancillary
materials provided were used in the development of these lesson plans.
Pre-trip Lesson for APES at High School for Arts & Business
Planet Earth and Its’ Sustainability via Earth’s Systems
Title: The systems of the Earth, a Review of basic Earth Science Principles
Aim: What are the component parts of the 3 basic Earth’s geologic systems.
Objectives: S.W.B.A.T.:
 Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of radiation,
conduction, and convection and how they drive the global processes
 Demonstrate an understanding of the process and influence of
convection in the Earth’s mantle, oceans and atmosphere, including
an understanding of rock type and formation, geologic time, plate
tectonics, and weather and climate.
Lesson Overview:
PowerPoint presentations /discussions:
 What is Earth Science basic concepts
 Earth Resources
 Minerals
 Plate Tectonics – earth
 Rocks
Student websites to explore
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/geotime/index.html
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.hologlobe/ Earth’
as a System
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.hologlobe/ The
Wall of Time
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.rockcycle/ Rock
Cycle Animation
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_int_shake/ Mountain Maker Earth
Shaker
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_int_tectonic/ Tectonic Plates,
Earthquakes, and Volcanoes
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ean08.sci.ess.earthsys.aktectonic/
Tectonic Plate Movement in Alaska
Time Frame: 4-5 45 minute classroom periods
Assignment: Students are to access “Student Web Sites to Explore”
Assessment: Daily written reflection (as homework) on class “lecture” and
discussion around PowerPoint and on Student completed assignment.