Course Outline
Nine-week Unit
This course outline is designed to be the first unit of the year which introduces geology along with the scientific method and basic science skills. Broad concepts are studied first, then specific details about these topics are investigated. This course outline is for teachers who prefer to start with generalizations and theories and then move to specifics and pieces of evidence which support those theories.
This 9-week geology unit ends in October with earthquakes which marks 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 provide connections between science class and the outside world.
We recommend that you print this course outline then link to the web pages using the hard copy as a reference.
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Week 1: Introduction to the Earth and the Scientific Language Used to Describe It
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- Earth Structure
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Physical and Chemical Properties of Earth Layers
- Sizes of Layers with a Metric System Introduction
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Weeks 2 & 3: Plate Tectonics: Some Evidence
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- Continental Drift
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PI Activity 12B/Do the Continents Fit Together?
- Fossil Evidence Map/Puzzle
- PII Activity 12E/A Matching Puzzle
- Fossil Evidence Map/Puzzle
- Sea Floor Spreading
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PI Activity 12E/Sea Floor Spreading
- Model of Sea Floor Spreading
- PI Activity 12C/Investigating Trenches
- Model of Sea Floor Spreading
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Weeks 4 & 5: Plate Tectonics:Theory
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- Driving Forces
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Convection Currents Lab
- Measuring Density
- Plate Movement
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Discovering Plate Boundaries
- Mapping Plate Boundaries
- Teaching About Plate Tectonics and Faulting using foam models
- Mapping Plate Boundaries
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Weeks 5 & 6: Mountains and The Rock Cycle
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- Mountains
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PI Activity 11E/ Mapping Mountains and Volcanoes
- Submarine Mountains
- Building Blocks: Elements - Crystals - Minerals
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Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous Rocks
- Rock Identification Exercise
- Rock Cycle
- The Rock Cycle
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Weeks 6 & 7: Volcanoes
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- Type and Location of Volcanoes
- Building Volcano Models
- Eruptions
- PI Activity 11D/When will Vesuvious Erupt Again?
- Hazards and Monitoring
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Weeks 8 & 9: Earthquakes
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- Measuring Earthquakes
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Virtual Earthquake
- Earthquakes and Faults
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StickSlip Exercise in Seismic Sleuths
- PII Activity 13B/Elastic Rebound
- PII Activity 13B/Elastic Rebound
- Seismic Waves
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PII Activity 13C/Earthquake Wave Models
- Seismic Safety
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Big Trouble in Earthquake Country