Earth's Four Spheres (Systems): In Rocky Mountain National Park

Discover Earth's Four Spheres with our engaging educational resource designed for middle and high school students. Dive into the fascinating realms of the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere through interactive stations and challenging quizzes. This comprehensive guide, centered on the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park, offers a unique, immersive learning experience. Suitable for classroom or homeschool, this resource is perfect for encouraging young minds to appreciate and understand the interconnected systems of our planet.

Earth is divided into four systems or 'spheres' called atmosphere, geosphere (lithosphere), hydrosphere and biosphere. Each of these systems work in different ways to keep our planet going and they also all influence the other systems as well.

With this activity, students will learn the basics about each sphere, how they function, what they are made of, how they influence the other spheres and examples of the sphere in action in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Basically, students will be divided into four groups and they will rotate to four different 'stations' (one for each sphere). They will read a two page reading passage (INCLUDED) about the sphere and they will answer ten questions about the sphere in their packets (INCLUDED). Then, they will rotate to the other spheres until they have answered all the questions in the packet.

Then, they will fill in the chart on the last page of the packet, which has them reflect on the answers they wrote from the readings and list examples of how each sphere influences the other. For example, for "how does the atmosphere influence the geosphere?" students could write "wind from the atmosphere weathers and erodes the rocks in the geosphere."

You can give students some time to study the material and then give them the 15 question quiz (INCLUDED) to test their grasp of the material.

There are tips provided to show how this activity can be done individually, in small groups, or as a whole class, depending on how you want to conduct the activity.

This product includes:

1. Teacher Directions-including prep info and materials needed 

2. Teacher Procedure

3. Reading Passages (8 pages-two for each system)

4. Student Packet-Short reading, 40 questions (10 about each system) and chart 

5. Earth’s Four Spheres Quiz (15 questions)

6. Student Packet Answers

7. Quiz Answers

8. Teacher Tips

9. Websites and Citations

To do this activity, you will need:

• Pencil

• Copy of "Earth's Four Spheres" packet for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of Reading Passages (INCLUDED)

• Copy of "Earth's Four Spheres" Quiz for each student (INCLUDED)

Also, check out my Youtube Channel for FREE informational videos about the national parks along with FREE video guides for your students!

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If you have any questions, feel free to email me at edventureswithmrsd@gmail.com.

Thank you!