Syllabus

Geology Main Lesson Block

September 7 – 30, 2011

Mr. Hatfield

rghatfield@gmail.com

http://geologypws2015.blogspot.com/

Geology is a fascinating field of science, which stems from observations of the world around us.  It attempts to discover the processes that shaped our planet and our landscape.  In our three-week investigation of Geology, we will investigate the broad concepts that are central to a general understanding.  We will start with the history of geology including relatively recent developments in the field.  Then we will move into plate tectonics and the rock cycle focusing on constructive and destructive forces.  Then we will focus our attention at our home state, specifically focusing on volcanism and the forces that continue to shape our part of the world.  After this main lesson, it is my hope that you will be able to describe the geologic processes that contributed to the landscapes you encounter.

Grading:
Main Lesson Book (including trip journal)                          45%
Participation:                                                                     20%
Drafts                                                                                10%
Quizzes                                                                             10%
Project                                                                              15%

Schedule:

Week 1

• Topics
• Timeline
• Layers of the earth
• Convection Currents
• Plate Tectonics
• The Rock Cycle

Week 2 (At Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument)

• Topics
• Geology of Oregon
• Glaciation
• Volcanism

Week 3

• Topics
• Constructive and Destructive Forces
• Dynamic plate movements
• Fossilization
• Geologic Mapping
• Poster Day!

Materials you will need for this class:

1. Main lesson book
2. Paper and pen
3. Drawing pencils
4. Poster Board for your project

Project:  You will choose one of the following topics.  For that topic, you will investigate the topic thoroughly and create an informational poster about the topic (“an interpretive sign”).  The idea would be that a hiker could encounter this sign in a landscape, near this particular feature and read your poster to help him or her interpret the landscape.  The poster should include detailed drawings as well as informational text.  See me if you would like to see an example, or would like to suggest an alternative topic.  The minimum size would be ~16 x 24 inches.

Topics:

• Synclines and anticlines
• Arc Island Terraces
• Glaciers (landscape and/or mountain)


• Fossilization
• Mt. St Helens Eruption (1980)
• Haiti Earthquake (2010)


• Cascadia Subduction Zone
• Faults
• Basalt Flows
• Missoula Floods

Drafts:  I will ask you to turn in 2 drafts during the course of the block.  These are specific drafts (i.e. you don’t get to choose) and I will be clear which topics and when they are due.  The purpose of these drafts is to help you learn how to write a science MLB in high school and also to get used to my expectations.  Just turning in a draft ON TIME is 10% of your grade.  Late drafts will not be accepted, except in the case of an excused absence. 

Quizzes:  There will be at least two quizzes in the course of the block.  One will be either Thursday (9/29) or Friday (9/30) and the other is TBD.

Blog:  http://geologypws2015.blogspot.com/

I have set up a class blog so that we can brainstorm, share, create and work together using the internet as a forum.  Your first assignment is to send me an e-mail to rghatfield@gmail.com so that I can add you as an author on the blog so that you can make your own contributions.  Please feel free to ask questions on the blog either directly to me, or to each other.  Please feel free to use it openly.  This is an experiment for me, if you have any ideas on how to make this better, please let me know!

Special information:

*Main Lesson Book Due:  Friday, September 30, 2011.

*Project Proposals are due by Wednesday, September 14.

*Projects are due Friday, September 23, 2010.

*We will be gone from September 19-23 as part of our outdoor week.

**************It is your responsibility to make up any missed work or assignments.************