Elementary Earth Processes
I.
a.
b.
c.
d.
The surface of the earth is constantly changing (measurable)
Plate movement (land and under the ocean)
Slow and fast changes (by wind, waves, water, ice)
Plants, animals, and human activities change the earth’s surface, oceans,
and atmosphere
e. Elements and minerals cycle through the land, oceans, and atmosphere
f. Landforms, climate, and resources impact where people live. People
also impact the earth.
g. The history of the earth is revealed in its layers.
II.
a. Many elementary school textbooks are filled with information that is not
developmentally appropriate!
b. Young students must learn about the earth and its changes through
observations of their surroundings. Descriptions and explanations must
come from their own observations.
c. Simulations and models should be compared to that concept in real life.
d. How do we begin to develop a sense of “time” as it relates to the earth
and its changes?
III.
a. Whole  parts
b. Observable processes (waves, wind, water – forces)
i. Weathering, erosion, deposition
c. Observable properties
i. Soil
ii. Rocks/minerals
Uses
iii. Water
iv. Gases of the atmosphere
d. Rock cycle  middle school
Middle Earth Processes
I.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Earth is constantly changing, nothing is permanent.
Organic (human) and inorganic influences that cause change
Takes evidence to change ideas in science
Earth processes are caused by two major sources of energy: radioactive
decay and leftover heat from the earth’s formation
e. Tectonics is an organizing idea for disparate phenomena (earthquakes,
volcanoes, mineral deposits, oceans, and continents)
f. Conservation of matter/mass
g. Wind, water, waves, and ice sculpt the earth’s landforms
II.
a. Start with the big interesting phenomena first
b. Imagining geologic time will be difficult
c. Improve understanding of continental movement by multiplying small
increments by large numbers of years
d. Be careful not to sacrifice science for advocacy
e. With little direct contact with phenomena, instruction in tectonic theory
should be reserved for late in the 5-8 sequence.
f. Evidence in sedimentation/sedimentary rock of change over time (a
historical record) is a key concept they should learn at this time.
g. By 8th grade, students should have a complete understanding of the
main features of factors that shape the earth.
III.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Continuous process that takes long periods of time
However, some changes are abrupt.
Formation of sedimentary rock/recycling of rocks
Movement of earth’s interior (heat) cause surface changes, and
atmospheric changes
e. Formation of fossils and sedimentary rock layers determine relative age
of rocks
High Earth Processes
I.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Structure of Earth/Layers
Plates and continents are not same
Plate movement causes landform features Internal
Processes
Rapid
External
i. Weathering
& slow
ii. Erosion
e. Convection currents
i. Sources of heat and energy
1. Elements
Rock…
2. Water
Finite
f. Cycles  system
g. Laws of cons. mass and energy and constancy
h. Constant change
i. Human Impact
j. Predictions and evidence
k. Change can occur based on data evidence
l. Geologic history
m. Impact of Living Things
II.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Inst. Implications
Energy transformations
Evidence  to support all material presented
Start with what they know (or phenomena) and then work towards the
science
e. Move from the concrete to the abstract
f. Describe that it happens to explaining how it happens
g. How it happens and how it shapes earth’s surface
h. Real Life Implications  Predicts about future
III.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Radioactivity – nuclear rxns
Density
Convection
Energy Int. & Ext.
i. Cons. of Matter
ii. Cons. of Energy
e. Properties Matter
f. Role of and Impact of Living Organisms
g. Geologic Time
h. Plate Tectonics vs. Continental Drift
i. Biogeochemical cycles
i. Rock cycle
ii. Reservoirs
iii. (Water, carbon, phosphorous, nitrogen, etc.)
j. Landforms/formation
k. Weather/climate
l. Weathering/erosion/sedimentation
Misconceptions about Earth Processes
A. Changes are always sudden
B. Earth never changes. It’s old?
C. Process of soil, forms clay, forms rock
D. Distinguishing rocks and minerals, confused about minerals
E. Metamorphic  changes in animals
F. Rocks with layers  sedimentary
G. All mountains are volcanoes
H. Limited concept of rocks
I. Mountain building not related to plate tectonics
J. Soil is dinosaur poop
K. Heat builds up and has to get out
L. Mountains are always on fault lines
M. Type of rock determined by location
N. Problems w/ fragment vocab
O. Limited def. of rocks
P. Water freezing causing rocks to break down – don’t apply this to rocks
Q. Earthquakes cause volcanoes
R. Natural vs. man-made
S. Living organisms that live in soil eat the soil