Geosphere Unit
Time required for unit:
Four Weeks
Title of the Unit:
Geosphere
Purpose:
Introduce students to the dynamically changing geosphere. They will explore
the physical and chemical structure of the Earth, and how that structure
creates a geosphere system that constantly changing. Students will gain an
understanding of the interaction between the dynamically changing geosphere
and human life.
Big Ideas:
 Energy sources influencing the structure of the geosphere.
o Radioactive Decay
 How it works
 How do we know
o Formation Energy
 Physical and chemical structure of the geosphere
o Physical and chemical differentiation
o Earth materials and their properties at different pressures & temperatures:
elastic, plastic, ductile, brittle
o The Earth’s magnetic field: what generates it and how we detect it
 How it can be used in navigation
 Recycling of rocks (Rock Cycle)
o Dynamic Processes
o Evolving, changing, renewing
 Bulk chemical composition of the geosphere is not changing but the
rock cycle can change the chemical and physical properties of a rock
o Identifying properties of minerals and basic rock types (igneous,
metamorphic, sedimentary)
 Evolution of the geosphere structure (plate tectonics)
o Process for creating rocks and mountains
o Regions of plate creation and destruction
o Critical elements of plate tectonics and how their expression on the surface
of the geosphere impact our daily lives
Connections to the real world:
Humans are dependent on the Earth’s interior heat, the magnetic field, the use
of Earth materials, and are affected by the volcanoes and earthquakes that
result from plate tectonics.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Describe the physical and chemical structure of the Earth.
2. Explain the processes of the two main energy sources for the Earth:
residual heat of formation and radioactive decay.
3. Explain how the Earth’s magnetic field is generated and why it is
important to humans.
4. Classify rocks and minerals based on their properties.
5. Describe how variations in rock and mineral properties make them
useful for different things.
6. Critically examine evidence that is pertinent to the theory of plate
tectonics.
7. Identify tectonically hazardous regions on Earth and describe the
risk associated with those regions.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the various tasks throughout the unit. There will
be a total of three quizzes on the material covered in the lessons as well as the
individual and group activities. There will be continuing checks for
understanding throughout the unit, this will allow for any misunderstandings,
misconceptions and any unclear topics to be readdressed allowing for clearer
understanding by the student. A unit exam will ultimately be given, in this the
students will be asked to associate the material learned in the unit with their
immediate surroundings, this will test the students’ complete comprehension
of the topics and how it affects them directly. There will also be a research
project where in students will report on a topic of interest they have chosen
and report to the class their findings.
Outline of Unit Activities:
Day
Big Idea
1&2
Physical and chemical
structure of the geosphere:
Physical and chemical
differentiation.
3
4
Physical structure of the
geosphere: Earth materials
and their properties at
different pressures &
temperatures.
Energy sources influencing
the structure of the
geosphere: Radioactive
Decay and Heat of
Formation.
Learning Outcome
1
Lesson Title
Interior Structure of the
Earth
Behavior of Earth Materials
1
The Earth’s Energy Sources
2
5
The Earth’s magnetic field:
what generates it and how
we detect it: How it can be
used in navigation.
3
Earth’s Magnetic Field:
Declination Dilemma
What rocks are made of: An
introduction to identifying
mineral properties
6&7
Identifying properties of
minerals.
4&5
8
Identifying properties of
igneous rocks.
4&5
Rock Cycle: Focus on
igneous rocks
9 & 10
Identifying properties of
sedimentary rocks.
4&5
Rock Cycle: Focus on
sedimentary rocks
11
Identifying properties of
metamorphic rocks.
4&5
Rock Cycle: Focus on
metamorphic rocks
12
13 & 14
15 - 19
Evolution of the geosphere
structure (plate tectonics):
Critical elements of plate
tectonics and how their
expression on the surface of
the geosphere impact our
daily lives.
Evolution of the geosphere
structure (plate tectonics):
Regions of plate creation
and destruction.
Evolution of the geosphere
structure (plate tectonics):
Process for creating rocks
and mountains, regions of
plate creation and
destruction, critical
elements of plate tectonics
and how their expression on
the surface of the geosphere
impact our daily lives.
The Moving Continents
6
Seafloor Spreading
6
Surfing for Earthquakes and
Volcanoes
6&7
Materials:
 Computers with internet access
 Refer to each individual lesson plan for additional materials