Earth Science

Welcome to Earth Science! 

This course takes a dynamic tour of the major areas of study in Geology, Forces that shaped the Earth, and Astronomy. Successful completion of Earth Science earns the student 10 semester units of credit. This class satisfies the high school graduation requirement for a Physical Science following California content standards.  Topics covered will include mapping, minerals, rocks, weathering, erosion, wind, glaciers, surface and groundwater, meteorology, storms, climate, oceanography, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, geologic time, our solar system, and beyond.  Students will learn through research, homework questions, models, and application of scientific processes through projects and activities.

Google Apps & 

Google Classroom

For this school year, all assignments, labs, e-textbook, etc. are posted in Google Classroom.  Answer keys will be provided in a packet to parents.  You will need to log in to your VOCS Google account first, and then join our Earth Science class in Google Classroom. Below are instructions on how to log in.

VOCS Google Login: google/kernvocs.org


Email: student-ID-#@kernvocs.org

Student ID: 123456


Password: Valleyoaks1! You will be prompted to change your password after logging in

Go to 

classroom.google.com

Use our class code to join: ethavel  

Units of Study: Fall Semester Units 1-4, Spring Semester Units 5-8

Unit 1 Studying the Earth: Intro to Earth Science; Earth as a system; Models of the Earth; Resources & Energy

Unit 2 Earth’s Material: Minerals; Rocks

Unit 3 Dynamic Earth- Forces within: Plate Tectonics; Deformation of the Crust; Earthquakes; Volcanoes

Unit 4 Reshaping the Crust:  Weather & Erosion; River systems; Groundwater; Glaciers; Erosion by Wind & Waves

Unit 5 Oceans:  Ocean Basins; Ocean water; Movements of the Ocean

Unit 6 Atmospheric Forces- Meteorology:  Atmosphere; Water in the Atmosphere; Weather; Climate

Unit 7 Astronomy: Studying Space; Planets & Solar System; Sun; Star, Galaxies, & the Universe

Grading: 

Grades will be awarded as follows, based on joint assessment done by both parent and instructor