GEOS 2900:
Earth Science for Elementary Educators II

Spring 2009

Course and Instructor Information

Class Schedule
Syllabus
In-Class Links

Group Project Information

 

 

Course and Instructor Information

Course Description

This laboratory-based course is a continuation of GEOG 1900 and is specifically designed for prospective elementary teachers. The objectives of the course are to aid students in developing meaningful and functional understanding of key earth science concepts and their interrelations; to provide students with open-ended problems solving environments that facilitate insight in the nature of science as an intellectual activity; to explore alternated conceptions of scientific phenomena; to help students develop more positive attitudes about science and increase their confidence in their ability to do science.

Course Information

In-Class Links

These are links to websites used in the in-class activities.

Activity	Required website(s)	Additional information
The Solar System	Build a Solar System	The Nine (now Eight) Planets NASA: Solar System Exploration The Kuiper Belt Teaching about the "new" solar system A New Planet: Eris
1.1.1 Earth Structure	none	The Earth's Layers
1.1.2 Tectonics	What Drives the Plates?	USGS: Understanding Plate Motion
1.2.1 Volcanoes	Types of Lava Types of Volcanoes	USGS: Learn About Volcanoes VolcanoWorld Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program
1.2.2 Earthquakes	none	About Earthquakes
2.1.1 Minerals	none	Introduction to Mineral Identification Smithsonian: Minerals and Crystals
2.2.1 Rock Cycle	none	The Rock Cycle NSTA: The Rock Cycle
2.2.2 Igneous Rocks	none	Introduction to Rock Identification USGS: Igneous Rocks
2.2.3 Metamorphic Rocks	none	Introduction to Rock Identification USGS: Metamorphic Rocks
2.2.4 Weathering & Sedimentary Rocks	none	Introduction to Rock Identification Weathering and Erosion USGS: Sedimentary Rocks
2.3.1 Soil	none	Soil Texture Classification Soil Characteristics Soil Formation
3.1.1 Wind, Water & Sand	Sand Dunes	Eolian (wind-sculpted) Landscapes
3.1.1 Beach Systems	none	Wave Erosion Coastal Management
3.2.1 Glaciers	none	All About Glaciers
3.2.2 River Systems	none	Dynamics of a River System
3.2.3 Groundwater	none	What is Groundwater? Groundwater Contamination
4.1.1/4.1.2 Fossils	none	How Casts and Molds Form Getting Into the Fossil Record Stories from the Fossil Record Dinosaurs
4.2.1 Relative Age	none	Telling Time Using Fossils
4.2.2 Absolute Age	none	Dating Rocks: Radioactive Decay
4.3.1 Earth History	none (uses GEODE)	Geologic Time Scale Evolution 101
4.3.2 Michigan Geology	see course pack	Geologic Time Scale

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Group Project Information

These are links to websites that may be useful in working on the group project.

Links to sites discussing common earth science misconceptions:

Earth Science Misconceptions
--List of general earth science misconceptions at multiple grade levels, no references.

Earth Systems Science Misconceptions
--Student misconceptions across the earth sciences, K-12. Has links to references.

Bad Science and Bad Meteorology
-- Bad Science has examples of misconceptions in science textbooks and the popular press. Bad Meteorology is similar but specific to, well, meteorology.

Bad Astronomy
-- Similar to the two sites above, but this is a commercial site so watch out for the ads.

Ten Things You Thought You Knew about Sun-Earth Science
-- Misconceptions related to the earth and sun – for adults

Children's Misconceptions About Weather
-- A paper focused on children's ideas about topics related to the weather, water cycle, atmosphere, and global warming

Links to State and National Benchmarks:

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (K-7): Earth Science only; all science

Michigan Curriculum Framework (benchmarks)

MI Climb (clarifying language for Michigan Benchmarks)

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Elementary Science

National Science Education Standards: K-4, 5-8, 9-12

Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS national standards)

Links to Sites with K-8 Earth Science Lesson Plans:

DLESE (Digital Library for Earth Systems Education)
-- Database of activities, lessons, curricula, etc. related to earth science, searchable by topic and grade level.

Exploring the Environment
-- Problem-based lessons and activities, mostly for grades 5-12

USGS Science Resources for Primary Grades
-- Site sponsored by the US Geological Survey, with lessons for K-6

K-5 GeoSource
-- Lessons, resources, and professional development sponsored by the American Geological Institute

NASA for Educators
-- Materials and lessons developed by NASA, click on "educators," select by grade level

NOAA Education: Weather, and Oceans
-- The Weather site mostly has useful information about weather, which may be helpful to supplement lessons. The Oceans site has lesson plans mostly for grades 8-12.

VolcanoWorld Lesson Plans
-- Lessons related to volcanoes, links to other sites about volcanoes

Soil Science Education
-- Site sponsored by NASA, with information and lessons

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