1. discuss why the intelligent preservation of our earth environment depends upon the knowledge and application of geology.
2. examine the beginnings of our solar system and the evolving Earth.
3. list the fundamental differences between continental and oceanic crusts in terms of their structure, age, and rock type.
4. summarize the ideas of continental and oceanic crusts in terms of their structure, age, and rock type.
5. relate plate tectonic theory to the original distribution of most of the world's volcanos earthquakes, young mountain ranges, and major sea-floor features.
6. discuss how major mountain belts and continents have evolved.
7. diagram the geologic structures which provide the clues which allow us to decipher the geologic past.
8. illustrate the geometry and rock compositions of economically important crustal folds.
9. describe the nature and consequences of earthquakes.
10. develop a sense of the vast amounts of time over which geologic processes have been at work.
11. chronicle the development of life on Earth.
12. indicate the physical properties that are used to identify hand specimens of rocks and minerals.
13. recognize the importance of volcanic activity on planet Earth.
14. distinguish among the major classifications of intrusive structures.
15. compare and contrast mechanical and chemical weathering.
16. recognize features of the landscape that indicate slope instability or previous episodes of mass wasting.
17. differentiate among clastic, chemical, and organic sedimentary rocks.
18. relate the origin of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and other resources to sedimentary rocks.
19. recognize how metamorphic rocks form.
20. distinguish between the tectonic and hydrologic cycle, and discuss how they work together to shape the land.
21. analyze the role of running water in sculpting Earth's surface.
22. describe the role human activity can play in intensifying or reducing flood danger.
23. explain how groundwater is distributed.
24. measure the importance of groundwater to human life.
25. contrast the characteristics of and regions to humid regions in terms of drainage, base level, and landscape.
26. recognize what a glacier is, differentiating between alpine glaciation and continental glaciation.
27. demonstrate the importance of waves in affecting coastal landforms.
28. examine human responses to the destructive forces of natural phenomena, such as earthquakes and landslides.
29. list ways in which people can shape their action to benefit Earth.

1. Earth Materials
1. Minerals - The Material of Earth
2. Volcanism - Intrusive Igneous Rocks
3. Weathering and Soils
4. Sedimentary Rocks - The Key to Past Environments
5. Metamorphic Rocks
2. Earth's Surface Processes: Carving the Landscape
1. Mass Wasting
2. Running Water I - Rivers, Erosion and Deposition
3. Running Water II - Landform Evolution
4. Ground Water
5. Wind, Dust, and Deserts
6. Glaciers
7. Waves, Beaches, and Coasts
3. Earth's Dynamics: Plate Tectonics - The Unifying Model
1. Earth's Interior
2. The Sea Floor
3. The Birth of a Theory
4. Plate Dynamics
5. Mountain Building
6. Earth's Structures
7. Earthquakes
4. Living with the Earth
1. Human Responses to Destructive Natural Phenomena
2. The Impact of Human Activity on the Earth

This course includes an independent study lab which allows the student to investigate related course topics either at home, online or in the community.

Weeks 1-3 Maps of the Earth's Surface
Quadrangle Maps:
Working with excerps of real life quadrangle maps using the land survey system (township, range, sections, etc.) and global grid system (longitude and latitude) to establish true land locations. Recognizing the topography illustrated by contour lines and constucting a contour map and topographic profile.

Week 4 Geologic Structures
'Geolblocks':
Identifying Earth structures in block diagrams.

Weeks 6-8 Earth's Material Labs
Minerals: classifying minerals by utilizing standard mineral identifying techniques.
Igneous Rocks: classifying igneous rock types based on texture and mineral composition.
Sedimentary Rocks: differentiating the origen of sedimentary material (mechanical vs. chemical)and classifying sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks: classiying metamorphic rocks.

In addition to the above laboratory activities each student will make an egg carton regional rock and mineral collection.