Course Syllabus
Earth Science A

Description

Earth Science A is the first semester in a two-course sequence designed to expose the student to the scientific study of the Earth. Students will learn how observation and experimentation are used to gain knowledge about the Earth's past and present and used in making predictions about Earth's future. Students will gain an understanding of the inner workings of Earth systems, including water and rock cycles, and how they influence the environments on the planet. Prerequisites:  None

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

• Explain how scientists ask questions, test ideas, and communicate results using the scientific method
• Describe how scientists use models, maps, measurement systems, and GIS tools to study Earth
• Explain what matter is, how atoms form minerals, and how minerals are identified and used
• Describe how rocks form, change, and cycle through Earth’s systems over geologic time
• Explain Earth’s interior structure and describe how heat movement, crust properties, and seafloor processes support the theory of plate tectonics
• Describe how stress, earthquakes, and volcanic activity shape Earth’s surface and affect human communities
• Explain how Earth formed, how life evolved, and how scientists use geologic time, fossils, and dating techniques to understand Earth’s history
• Identify major Earth resources and distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources
• Explain how fossil fuels, mining, and energy use affect Earth’s systems and human society
• Describe how individuals and communities can conserve energy and reduce environmental impacts

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Scientific Methods

Unit 2: Tools for Earth Science

Unit 3: Minerals

Unit 4: Earth Materials (Rocks)

Unit 5: Earth’s Structure

Unit 6: Geologic Stress

Unit 7: Earth’s History

Unit 8: Natural Resources

Resources Included: Online lesson instruction and activities, opportunities to engage with a certified, online instructor and classmates, when appropriate, and online assessments to measure student performance of course objectives and readiness for subsequent academic pursuits.

Additional Costs: Some labs or projects may require the use of common household items (e.g, a balloon and kitchen or food items, etc.). A list of material requirements can be located within each set of assignment instructions.

Scoring System: Michigan Virtual does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue diplomas. A final score out of total points earned will be submitted to your school mentor for conversion to their own letter grading system.

Time Commitment: Semester sessions are 18-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1 or more hours per day in the course to be successful. Summer sessions are 10 weeks long: Students must be able to spend a minimum of 2 or more hours per day, or about 90 hours during the summer, for the student to be successful in any course. Trimester sessions are 12-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1.5 or more hours per day in the course to be successful.

Technology Requirements: Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.

Ensure that your school or district network and device administrator establishes network access permissions or exceptions for online resources relevant to the course in which you are choosing to enroll. Ref., Michigan Virtual Course Allow List

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements.

Instructor Support System: For technical issues within your course, contact the Customer Care Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Instructor Contact Expectations: Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Academic Support Available: In addition to access to a highly qualified, Michigan certified teacher, students have access to academic videos and outside resources verified by Michigan Virtual. For technical issues within the course, students can contact the Michigan Virtual Customer Care by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Required Assessment: Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, instructor-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building, discussion-based assessments (one-on-one conversations with your teacher), and other forms of authentic assessments.

Technical Skills Needed: Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to:

• Download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• Download and install software
• Use a messaging service similar to email
• Communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• Open attachments shared in messages
• Create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• Edit file share settings in cloud-based applications, such as Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
• Save a file as a .pdf
• Copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• Insert images or links into a file or html editor
• Search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• Work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• Activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• Use presentation and graphics programs
• Follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• Use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• Create and maintain usernames and passwords

Additional Information: None