8.25.

15
LEQ: What is Earth
EARTH System Science?

SYSTEMS
Objective: Explain how geology,
oceanography, astronomy and
meteorology contribute to Earth System
Science.

Key Vocabulary:
-Earth Science
-Oceanography
-Astronomy
-Geology
-Meteorology
-Hydrosphere
-Atmosphere
-Geosphere
-Biosphere
 Final Exam

By the end of today’s lesson you will be able

to:

• Name and describe the four sciences that

make up Earth System Science.

• Name and describe the four spheres that

make up the Earth.
Look out for these symbols!

Partner talk
Write this down!

Volume 0
Draw this!
Draw a picture of a scientist.
• What does a scientist look like?
• What kinds of materials do scientists use?
• Where does a scientist work?
• Pair & Share:
– Partner A has 30 seconds to describe and explain
their drawing.
– Then switch.
– Partner B has 30 seconds to describe and explain
their drawing.
What do environmental scientists do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKx-TrwlgG
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdGWxIAq3
tU

• In the margin of your paper, write down 3

different things that you see scientists doing in
the video
– (Where are they? what are they doing?)
 Not all
scientists look
the same!
• Earth Science: name for a group of sciences
that studies Earth and its neighbors in space.

• It’s aim is to understand Earth as a system

which is made up of numerous interacting
parts, or subsystems.
 What do these words have in common?

• Biology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Zoology
 What do these words mean?
• -ology: suffix meaning “the study of”
• -graphy: suffix meaning “field of study”
• Geology: the study of the Earth
– includes both physical geology (studying the
materials that make up the earth) and historical
(understanding of earth’s long history)
• Oceanography: study of the composition and
movements of sea water, coastal processes,
seafloor topography and marine life.
• Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere
and the processes that produce weather and
climate
• Astronomy is the study of the universe.
 Earth’s spheres
• Earth’s parts can be thought of as four
major spheres:
1. Hydrosphere
2. Atmosphere
3. Geosphere
4. Biosphere
 Earth’s spheres
1. Hydrosphere: water portion of our
planet.

2. Atmosphere: gaseous envelope.

 Earth’s spheres
3. Geosphere: below the ocean and
atmosphere; made up of the core,
mantle & crust.

4. Biosphere: all living things on earth;

interacts with the physical environment.
 Earth’s spheres are
connected. The
atmosphere
Using the sentences provides__________ .
starters, explain how The hydrosphere
each spheres are provides___________.
connected to one The landforms within
other sphere. the geosphere help
________________.
The biosphere
______________.
• Earth is a dynamic planet with many but separate
interacting parts; this way of looking at the Earth is
called Earth System Science. It’s aim is to
understand Earth as a system made up of numerous
interacting parts, or subsystems.
• Earth Science is the name for a group of sciences:
Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, and
Astronomy.
• Earth’s parts can be thought of as four major
spheres: hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, &
biosphere
 Final Exam

1. The study of the atmosphere and the

processes that produce weather and
climate
A. Astronomy
B. Geology
C. Meteorology
D. Ecology
 Final Exam

1. The study of the atmosphere and the

processes that produce weather and
climate
A. Astronomy
B. Geology
C. Meteorology
D. Ecology
 Final Exam

2. The portion of Earth that includes all living

things on earth is the
A. atmosphere
B. biosphere
C. hydrosphere
D. troposphere
 Final Exam

2. The portion of Earth that includes all living

things on earth is the
A. atmosphere
B. biosphere
C. hydrosphere
D. troposphere
Lesson Learning Strategy
4 spheres foldable

Definition Picture
Picture Picture

Picture Picture Definition Picture

What went well?

What will you need to re-teach based on your formative

assessment data?

What will you do differently next time you teach this lesson?