My students
I teach Advanced Earth Science and Environmental Science which are taken primarily by 9th graders at Patrick County High School in Stuart, Virginia. The county is very rural and has less than 18,000 citizens.
The high school is a Title 1 school and serves approximately 950 students in the 8th through 12th grades. It is the only high school in the county. My class sizes range from 16 to 24.
The high school is a Title 1 school and serves approximately 950 students in the 8th through 12th grades. It is the only high school in the county. My class sizes range from 16 to 24.
What do my students need to know?
Top 10 Most Important Content-Related Topics:
1. Scientific Investigation and Mapping - build on earlier understanding of the scientific method; learn about
various mapping techniques, coordinate systems, and topographic map reading and use
2. Minerals - understand that minerals are the building blocks of rocks, how they form, and how they are used
as resources; introduce mining concepts
3. Rock Types and the Rock Cycle - know the 3 types of rocks, how they are formed, the processes under
which they are formed, and how all rocks can change due to the rock cycle
4. Plate Tectonics and the Resulting Features and Hazards - introduce the concept of the geosphere; learn
about the types of plate boundaries, what landforms result at each boundary type, and understand the
hazards associated with the boundary locations
5. Surface / Groundwater & Weathering Processes - introduce the concept of the hydrosphere; understand
the role of the water cycle on Earth, how water affects/ creates landforms through weathering and erosion,
the role of groundwater, and importance of clean drinking water (social and environmental justice themes)
6. Fossil Fuels and Geologic Time - develop concepts of nonrenewable and renewable resources; learn about
each type of resource and develop cost-benefit analyses to explain pros and cons of each resource type;
learn about the stages of geologic time
7. History and Evolution of Earth - explore the evolution of the Earth over its 4.6 billion year history and
review the major phases in the evolution of life
8. Atmosphere and Meteorology - examine what and how weather occurs and how climate and weather are
different yet linked; learn how the atmosphere is connected to each of the other spheres through Earth
process over time; Introduce climate change at geologic time scales and the current human-induced
climate changes
9. Oceanography - advance understanding of the hydrosphere and the link between atmospheric conditions
and the hydrosphere; understand the role of the oceans over time
10. Stellar Evolution and the Solar System - learn about our solar system and the differences between rocky
and gaseous planets; survey the types of galaxies, stars, nebulas, and the birth of the universe; connect with
Earth's geologic history
1. Scientific Investigation and Mapping - build on earlier understanding of the scientific method; learn about
various mapping techniques, coordinate systems, and topographic map reading and use
2. Minerals - understand that minerals are the building blocks of rocks, how they form, and how they are used
as resources; introduce mining concepts
3. Rock Types and the Rock Cycle - know the 3 types of rocks, how they are formed, the processes under
which they are formed, and how all rocks can change due to the rock cycle
4. Plate Tectonics and the Resulting Features and Hazards - introduce the concept of the geosphere; learn
about the types of plate boundaries, what landforms result at each boundary type, and understand the
hazards associated with the boundary locations
5. Surface / Groundwater & Weathering Processes - introduce the concept of the hydrosphere; understand
the role of the water cycle on Earth, how water affects/ creates landforms through weathering and erosion,
the role of groundwater, and importance of clean drinking water (social and environmental justice themes)
6. Fossil Fuels and Geologic Time - develop concepts of nonrenewable and renewable resources; learn about
each type of resource and develop cost-benefit analyses to explain pros and cons of each resource type;
learn about the stages of geologic time
7. History and Evolution of Earth - explore the evolution of the Earth over its 4.6 billion year history and
review the major phases in the evolution of life
8. Atmosphere and Meteorology - examine what and how weather occurs and how climate and weather are
different yet linked; learn how the atmosphere is connected to each of the other spheres through Earth
process over time; Introduce climate change at geologic time scales and the current human-induced
climate changes
9. Oceanography - advance understanding of the hydrosphere and the link between atmospheric conditions
and the hydrosphere; understand the role of the oceans over time
10. Stellar Evolution and the Solar System - learn about our solar system and the differences between rocky
and gaseous planets; survey the types of galaxies, stars, nebulas, and the birth of the universe; connect with
Earth's geologic history
Top 10 Most Important Non-Academic P21 Skills:
1. Critical Thinking - the ability to objectively analyze an issue and make an informed decision on a topic
2. Communication - preparation to share thoughts, ideas, information in a clear manner
3. Environmental Justice - A need for recognition that poverty amd racism are factors in where and how
environmental problems occur
4. Social Justice - awareness that everyone deserves equal opportunities and rights
5. Mindfulness - developing the capacity to link Earth and environmental issues to individual actions
6. Analytic Problem-solving - the process of finding the answers to difficult answers
7. Information Problem-solving - the use of real-world learning to facilitate solving complex
issues using research, data collection, information gathering, etc.
8. Learning for life - the ability to use Earth Science topics in their daily lives
9. Sustainability - awareness that there are resources that are finite in their supply and that we must
learn to use resources at a rate that allows for replenishment of that resource or the implementation
of recycling, reuse, or reducing use programs
10. Big Picture thinking - ability to understand that many issues are part of a larger idea or problem
1. Critical Thinking - the ability to objectively analyze an issue and make an informed decision on a topic
2. Communication - preparation to share thoughts, ideas, information in a clear manner
3. Environmental Justice - A need for recognition that poverty amd racism are factors in where and how
environmental problems occur
4. Social Justice - awareness that everyone deserves equal opportunities and rights
5. Mindfulness - developing the capacity to link Earth and environmental issues to individual actions
6. Analytic Problem-solving - the process of finding the answers to difficult answers
7. Information Problem-solving - the use of real-world learning to facilitate solving complex
issues using research, data collection, information gathering, etc.
8. Learning for life - the ability to use Earth Science topics in their daily lives
9. Sustainability - awareness that there are resources that are finite in their supply and that we must
learn to use resources at a rate that allows for replenishment of that resource or the implementation
of recycling, reuse, or reducing use programs
10. Big Picture thinking - ability to understand that many issues are part of a larger idea or problem