Course Outline
Twelve-week unit
This course outline is designed to follow an astronomy unit which also introduces the scientific method and basic science skills. Since the Bay Area is foggy from November until March, astronomy is best taught in the clear weather months such as August and September. In the astronomy unit, students see the earth as one part of the universe. They also review science skills which will be drawn upon during the geology unit such as the metric system, scale and proportion.
As the curriculum transitions from astronomy to geology, students shift their perspective from the large lens of the universe to the smaller view of the earth, moving from outwards to inwards.
This 12-week geology unit starts with earthquakes to tie into the anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake (6.9 magnitude) on October 17, 1989. Teachers will be able to use newspaper articles and other local events to connect students with this topic. (But you could start on any date.)
We recommend that you print this course outline, then following the links to the web pages using the hard copy as a reference.
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Week 1: Sample Activities from the Astronomy Unit which lead into Geology
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Week 2: Transition from Astronomy to Geology
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Weeks 3 & 4: Focus on Lithosphere and Relate to Loma Prieta Earthquake
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Week 5: Focus on Mantle and Connect Earthquake Locations with Volcano Locations
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(Optional Week 6): Mountain Building: The Third Major Effect of Plate Movement
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Weeks 7 & 8: Magma to Lava: Connecting the Mantle with the Lithosphere
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Weeks 8 & 9: The Big Picture: The Interrelatedness of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Mountains
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(Optional Week 10): Understanding The Evidence: Investigating Geologic Time and Fossils
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Weeks 11 & 12: Pulling It All Together: How and Why Plates Move