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Investigating Earth Systems

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Workshop Goals

Engage in IES by doing an activity; Explore the curriculum design, pedagogy, and

assessment “as we go”; Explain key program features, including the

teacher’s guide, materials kits, web sites, and professional development;

Elaborate on questions that you may have; Evaluate the workshop.

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

Sampler page 8 – Key Question Answer the Key Question: What causes

ocean currents?1. Individually in your Journal

2. Discuss with the person next to you

3. Discuss as a group Class Discussion and Recording of Ideas

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

Sampler pages 8-10: Investigate Part A – Surface Currents

1. Complete steps 1 and 2 in your group2. Discuss step 3 as a “class”

What patterns do you see between surface currents and wind direction?

What new questions do you have? Form a hypothesis to explain the relationship

between wind direction and surface currents. Give reasons based on evidence.

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IES Oceans Investigation 3 Sampler Pages 10-11 – Investigate Part

B: Deep Ocean Currents1. Complete step 1 in your group

2. Watch a demonstration of steps 2 and 3

3. Discuss step 4 as a class

4. Complete steps 5-7 in your group

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

Reviewing the Rest of the Investigation Digging Deeper and As Your Read Using the IES Web Site to support inquiry Review and Reflect

1. Review

2. Reflect

3. Thinking about the Earth System

4. Thinking about Scientific Inquiry

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Investigating Earth Systems

Modular, inquiry-based Earth science curriculum

Driven by the National Standards and Benchmarks for Science Literacy

Developed by Earth science experts and classroom teachers through the AGI

Published by It’s About Time

Materials kits, teacher guides, web sites, and professional development to support teachers.

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Your Students Will:

Learn the principles and practices of Earth science. Hypothesize, experiment, reflect, and analyze. Develop an understanding of how the Earth works

as a set of systems. Appreciate the relevance of Earth science to their

lives and the environment. Work collaboratively with other students to solve

problems.

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The Big Picture

1. Earth is a set of closely linked systems.

2. Earth's processes are powered by two sources; the Sun and Earth's own inner heat.

3. The geology of Earth is dynamic, and has evolved over 4.5 billion years.

4. The geological evolution of Earth has left a record of its history that geoscientists interpret.

5. We depend upon Earth's resources-both mined and grown.

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Module Structure

Pre-Assessment of Key Concepts in the Module

Six to Seven Inquiry-based Investigations Final Product and Presentation -

Summative Assessment Back to the Beginning – Post Assessment

of Key Concepts in the Module

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Investigation Structure

Key Question Investigate Student Presentations Digging Deeper Review and Reflect The Earth System

Connection

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The Student Journal

Students keep a record of… Initial ideas Research designs Observations Results New questions Connections to the

Earth’s systems

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Promoting Scientific Inquiry

Form questions to answer by

inquiry

Collect and review data using tools

Design an investigation

Conduct an investigation

Use evidence to develop ideas

Consider evidence for explanations

Seek alternative explanations

Show evidence and reasons to

others

Use mathematics for science

inquiry

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Sharing the Results of Inquiry

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Making the Earth System Connection

All students should develop an understanding of Earth as a set of closely interrelated systems: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. (NSES, 1996)

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Assessment Tools

Pre-Assessment Questions Sample Rubrics for Assessing:

Inquiry Understanding of Content Earth’s Systems Connections Journal Entries Participation in Inquiry Final Projects

Module Exams

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Comprehensive Teacher Guide

Module flow, goals and objectives Background information Correlation to National Standards Preparation and materials needed Detailed teaching and assessment tips Blackline masters of key diagrams Assessment rubrics and exams

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The Nine Modules

Investigating Soil

Investigating Minerals and

Materials

Investigating Rocks and Landforms

Investigating Oceans

Investigating Climate and

Weather

Investigating Water as a Resource

Investigating Fossils

Investigating Our Dynamic Planet

Investigating Energy

Resources