Download Earth Science - Canajoharie Central Schools

Course Syllabus
Earth Science Regents
Canajoharie High School
Mr. Carey [email protected]
673-6330 Ext. 3207
Learning Objectives:
During the first semester, this course is an introduction into the world of physical geology.
Students will be given the opportunity to explore the Earth processes that result in the formation
of minerals, rocks, mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc… and the role that Plate Tectonics
plays in all of these processes. It is an objective of this course to provide students with a clear
understanding of the dynamic nature of the Earth and its natural constructive and destructive
processes so that they may better understand their environment, and be able to make informed
and educated decisions regarding the stewardship of the planet.
In the second semester, students will explore how the properties of the atmosphere create
weather, and the how the geology of the lithosphere influences specific weather patterns and
climate around the globe. Students will use there prior knowledge of rocks, latitude and
longitude and climate to predict and assess the availability and behavior of groundwater in the
subsurface. We will also investigate the Earth-Sun relationships so that students appreciate the
cause of seasons and changing hours of daylight for specific latitudes on Earth. The course will
also allow students to study the Earth’s position in our Solar System, in our Milky Way Galaxy,
and in the Universe.
Topics will be reinforced by lab activities which are part of the Earth Science Regents
curriculum and will be discussed in more detail later in this document.
At the end of the course students will be able to:
o Make precise measurements using scientific measurements
o Locate positions on the Earth’s surface by latitude and longitude
o Determine the density of an unknown material
o Collect, organize and interpret data
o Construct graphs and tables to present data
o Describe the relationship between specific variables
o Use mathematical formulas correctly
o Effectively follow written directions
o Practice safe laboratory techniques
o Interpret maps, tables and diagrams (Earth Science Reference Tables)
o Design and recognize classification systems
o Complete a formal lab write-up.
o Compose a written summary that is concise and scientifically sound.
o Describe in writing the relationship between two variables.
o Predict the movement of air masses and frontal boundaries that create weather
o Predict the flow direction of groundwater in the subsurface.
o Identify the three landscape regions of NY State
o Prepare emergency kits for natural disasters causing power outages
o Work effectively as part of a small group by making positive contributions
Major Topics
This class will cover 11 topics dealing with the following information:
1. Scientific Method
Sept. 5 – Sept. 20
a. Measurements and units (Metric system and metric prefixes)
b. Mass, volume, density
c. Scientific Notation
d. Rate of change
e. Graphing and graphing relationships.
2. Structure of the Earth
Sept. 23 - Oct. 11
a. Composition of the crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere
b. Mapping Earth’s surface-latitude and longitude and topographic maps
3. Minerals and Rocks
Oct. 14 - Nov. 1
a. Identifying minerals by their physical properties
b. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock environments
4. Plate Tectonics and the Dynamic Crust Nov. 4 - 22
a. Internal structure of the Earth
b. Continental drift, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics
c. Earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building events
5. Landscape Development Nov. 25 – Dec. 13
a. Chemical and physical weathering
b. The four agents of erosion
6. Interpreting Earth History
a. Geologic time
b. Fossils
c. Evolution
Dec.16 – Jan. 17
7. Properties of the Atmosphere
Jan. 20 – 31
a. The four atmospheric variables: temperature, pressure, wind and humidity
8. Meteorology and Weather Systems
Feb. 1 - 14
a. Geographic source regions of air masses
b. Frontal boundaries
c. Severe weather-hurricanes and tornadoes
9. Groundwater and Climates
Feb. 17 – Mar. 7
a. The water cycle
b. Groundwater zones and movement of water in the subsurface
c. Wells and septic systems (pollution)
d. Climatic factors influencing the availability of groundwater
10. The Earth in Space
Mar. 10 – April 4
a. Rotation and revolution
b. The apparent motion of the Sun
c. Reasons for the seasons
11. Beyond Planet Earth
April 7 – May 2
a. Galaxies and the Solar System
b. The planets
c. Constellations
d. Phases of the Moon, eclipses and the tides
Generalized Topics:
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Metric Measurement
Earth’s Dimensions
Astronomy
Earth in Space
Solar System
Seasons
The Moon
Meteorology
Weather Fronts
Severe Weather Systems
Heat and Energy
Natural Resources
Rocks and Minerals
Climate
Topographic Maps
Latitude and Longitude Systems
River Evolution
Groundwater
Weathering and Erosion
Plate Tectonics
Earthquakes
Volcanism
Geo-History
Glacial Geology
Grading Procedures
Lab work will equal 20% of a student’s grade for each semester.
Quizzes will be weighted once, while unit tests will be weighted two (2) or three (3) times
depending on the amount of material being assessed.
Requirements
Students will be required to use and maintain a three-ring binder for this course and also possess
a simple calculator if possible.
There is no required textbook for this class. All educational material will be created by the
teacher and provided to all students.
Laboratory Requirements
New York State Education Department requires all Regents level students to complete a
minimum of 1200 minutes of lab work. This works out to be approximately 30 completed labs.
Students who do not meet this requirement will not be eligible to take the June Regents exam
and will automatically fail the course.
It is my intention to complete 37 labs so that students receive an appropriate number of hands on
experiences for all of the major concepts of this course.
I am also available to assist your child make up work every single day. All they have to do
is ask.