4.15
Earth Processes.
Katy Goldner. Delta Science Module (DSM) series. Hudson, N.H.: Delta Education, 1995.
Program Overview
The Delta Science Module (DSM) series has 51 life, physical, and earth science units for grades K-8 that emphasize science concepts, science content, and process skills. The series includes 12 modules for grades 5-6 and 8 modules for grades 6-8. Each requires about 3 to 4 weeks to complete and includes a teacher's guide and materials for a class of 32 students.
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
6-8.
Earth Processes introduces students to the earth processes that shape the world around them. During the unit, students learn about the theory of continental drift, and they use paper cutouts to demonstrate how the continents fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They also create a model of the earth and all its layers using a set of concentric spheres; they simulate the chemical and mechanical weathering of rocks; and they compare the formation of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Students use different-colored layers of clay to model the types of faults in the earth's crust and the mountains created by the faults.
In other activities, students model the energy waves produced by an earthquake; they build a model seismograph and use it to measure the strength of a simulated earthquake; and they map areas of volcanic and seismic activity around the earth. They also investigate isostasy, explore convection currents and the effect they have on the earth's crust, and learn about the theory of plate tectonics.
The 14 activities in Earth Processesare organized to be completed sequentially over 3 to 4 weeks. Each activity takes between about 30 and 40 minutes and can be done by students working individually or in groups.
A "connections" feature at the end of each activity provides suggestions for extending or applying the science concepts in the activity. Discussion or activity topics include technology, society, science and careers, language arts, mathematics, the arts, social studies, and health. For example, a "science and social studies" extension suggests that students research the name, location, and height of the tallest mountain on each continent and locate these mountains on a globe or world map.
In addition to directions for activities, the teacher's guide provides a module overview, a schedule of activities, objectives for each activity, background information, materials management and preparation tips, sample answers to discussion questions, teaching suggestions, and reinforcement activities. Also included are reproducible activity sheets for student work and a performance-based assessment.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; change, constancy, and measurement; form and function.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: Structure of the earth system; earth's history.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Natural hazards; science and technology in society.
HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE: History of science.
Prices:
Teacher's guide (ISBN 0-87504-168-X), $27.95. Kit, $379.00. Refill package, $84.00.
Publisher/supplier:
Delta Education.
Materials:
Available locally, from commercial suppliers, or in kit.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Continental drift, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Eighth Grade.
Convection currents, Earth Sciences: Convection: A Current Event, Geothermal Energy, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Green, ~ Everyday Science: Real-Life Activities.
Earthquakes, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ Blue Planet, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ Measuring Earthquakes, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Science Experiments: Earth Science, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Science Interactions: Course 1, ~ Science Interactions: Course 2, ~ Scientific Theories, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Faults, Earth Sciences: Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects.
Igneous rocks, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Stories in Stone, ~ Volcano!, ~ Earthy Things, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Red.
Metamorphic rocks, Earth Sciences: Earth's Solid Crust, ~ Stories in Stone.
Models, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Experimenting with Model Rockets, ~ Inventor's Lab, ~ Newton's Toy Box, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Experiments with Motion, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, ~ Machines, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Simple and Motorized Machines Activity Pack, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Structures, Life Sciences: Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ Food, Energy, and Growth, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ The Human Body: How Can I Maintain and Care for Myself?, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, ~ Life Changes through Time, ~ You and Your Body, ~ Zebra Mussel Mania, ~ The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools, Environmental Sciences: Plastics in Our Lives, ~ Water: Can We Keep It Fit for Life?, ~ Environmental Issues: Intermediate, ~ Environmental Resource Guide: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ H2O Below: An Activity Guide for Groundwater Study, ~ STV: Water, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ River Cutters, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Models and Designs, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Energy Transformations: Fourth Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight, ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ If Shipwrecks Could Talk, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars, ~ Packaging, ~ A Sunken Ship, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Mountains, Earth Sciences: Exploring Planet Earth,
Plate tectonics, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Earthquake!, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ Volcano!, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Sedimentary rock, Earth Sciences: Geology Lab, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Water, Stones, and Fossil Bones, Multi & Applied Sciences: Evolution: Change over Time, ~ How Might Life Evolve on Other Worlds?
Seismic activity, Earth Sciences: Earthquake!
Seismograph, Physical Sciences: The Fusion Series: Personal Science Laboratory (PSL) Explorer Investigations for Grades 6-9, Earth Sciences: Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ Measuring Earthquakes, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science Interactions: Course 2, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Weathering, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Earth's Solid Crust, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Green.
