Theme of the Month:
Note: Because we've had requests from educators to include the
URLs for suggested sites in the copy, you'll find them below. This way
you can download and print our text which includes the web addresses. We
hope you'll find this useful and will share these pages with others.
Introduction
Geology, can you dig it. Oops, that's archeology. It's easy to get your
"ologies" mixed up, especially when it comes to studying the
physical history of the Earth. Given the size and complexity of the subject
matter, things can become a little confusing when you consider the number
of scientific disciplines needed to study the geological mix of ingredients
that puts the "firm" in good old terra firma and creates all
the questions about what's going on under the world's oceans, rivers and
streams.
Quite a bit has happened since the Earth was born 4.6 billion years
ago (give or take a few million years), which is one reason why geology
paints with such a wide brush and includes so many different topics and
related disciplines. That vastness of time and number of topics, however,
is one reason why students find the subject is so interesting on the Internet.
One minute they're spelunking in a pitch black virtual cave looking for
stalactites, stalagmites and other mineral wonders, and a flick of the
mouse later they're off to view a virtual volcano or swim beneath a cyber
sea to check out tectonic plates.
Studying the Earth's geology helps students understand the planet's
evolution and its present features both above and below the surface. It
also teaches them how geology serves society in a variety of everyday practical
and commercial ways like exploring for deposits of commercially valuable
minerals or searching for fossil fuels to power the machines that make
our lives (allegedly) easier.
Resources for Educators
Web Site Addresses and Descriptions of Content
Guidelines for Use of Resources K-3
Teacher Suggestions & Student Activities
for K-3
Guidelines for Use of Resources Grades 4-6
Teacher Suggestions & Student Activities
for Grades 4-6
Guidelines for Use of Resources Grades 7-12
Teacher Suggestions & Student Activities
for Grades 7-12
Adaptations for Age and Ability
Home & School Connections
