Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Syllabus Earth Science A

Welcome

Welcome to Earth Science A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

Earth Science A is a conceptual science course that teaches about Earth's structure, properties, and processes by using crosscutting concepts that link all branches of science. The concepts include patterns; cause and effect; scale, proportion, and quantity; systems and system models; energy and matter; structure and function; and stability and change.  In this course, students will explore topics such as mapping, the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, plate tectonics, fossils, and the geologic history of Earth. Each lesson also explores the human impact on Earth's processes.

Course Essential Questions


Essential Question 1

How is the Earth’s surface described?

Essential Question 2

How does the Earth’s surface change?

Course Overview

 

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Mapping Earth
  • 1.1: Define Earth science and describe its many branches and systems of study.
  • 1.2: Identify and describe different landforms.
  • 1.3: Describe what information a map or compass can convey.
  • 1.4: Compare different map projections.
  • 1.5: Define and use latitude and longitude on a map.
  • 1.6: Explain how to read and interpret a topographic map.
  • 1.7: Explain mapping technology including how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

2: Earth's Systems and Interactions
  • 2.1: Describe the characteristics of the Earth. 
  • 2.2: Explain how Earth’s systems interact with and affect one another.
  • 2.3: Describe how thermal convection and density determine affect Earth’s interior. 
  • 2.4: Compare the inner layers of Earth.
  • 2.5: Compare ways in which energy on Earth is changed from one form to another.
  • 2.6: Compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable resources.
  • 2.7: Identify advantages and disadvantages of different types of energy resources.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Field Study

3: Minerals and Rocks
  • 3.1: Describe the chemical and physical properties of minerals. 
  • 3.2: Explain how to use various physical properties to identify minerals.
  • 3.3: Identify the processes that form minerals. 
  • 3.4: Describe the processes that form rocks.
  • 3.5: Compare the properties of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
  • 3.6: Apply the knowledge of rock and mineral formations to think critically about a real-world problem.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Rock Cycle Recollections Video

4: Changing Earth's Surface
  • 4.1: Compare and contrast mechanical and chemical weathering. 
  • 4.2: Describe agents of weathering and factors that affect the rate of weathering. 
  • 4.3: Explain the process of soil formation.
  • 4.4: Describe the soil profiles and different textures and components of soil. 
  • 4.5: Explain the effects of erosion and deposition caused by water, wind, ice, and gravity.
  • 4.6: Explain the effects of wave erosion and deposition.
  • 4.7: Use the engineering design process to solve a real world problem.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Changing Earth's Surface

5: Human Impact on Land
  • 5.1: Define natural resources and describe how humans utilize them.
  • 5.2: Analyze the per capita consumption and distribution of natural resources. 
  • 5.3: Explain the human impact on land. 
  • 5.4: Identify strategies to conserve resources and energy in your community.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

Midterm Exam

6: Plate Tectonics
  • 6.1: Explain the continental drift hypothesis.
  • 6.2: Describe the impact of seafloor spreading on Earth’s features.
  • 6.3: Describe how plate tectonics processes lead to changes in Earth’s surface features.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

7: Earthquakes
  • 7.1: Explain how earthquakes result from the buildup of stress in the Earth’s crust.
  • 7.2: Identify an earthquake focus and epicenter and describe how to locate it.
  • 7.3: Compare the characteristics of the different types of seismic waves.
  • 7.4: Describe how earthquakes are predicted and measured.
  • 7.5: Describe how a person and a household can protect themselves in earthquake country.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Earthquake One-Pager

8: Volcanoes
  • 8.1: Explain how volcanoes form and where they occur.
  • 8.2: Describe and compare the types of volcanic eruptions.
  • 8.3: Compare the features and formation of volcanoes.
  • 8.4: Describe landforms created by lava.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Volcano Notebook Check

9: Clue's to the Earth's Past
  • 9.1: Describe how fossils form. 
  • 9.2: Describe relative age dating.
  • 9.3: Describe absolute age dating.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

10: Geologic Time Scale
  • 10.1: Describe geologic time and the geologic time scale.
  • 10.2: Analyze how the Earth is different today from when it was formed.
  • 10.3: Describe the general development of Earth’s life forms throughout its history.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Future Earth

Final Exam

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 156
Lesson Quizzes 250
Midterm Exam 300
Final Exam 300
Total 1,006

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

No textbook is required for this course. 

Materials

No special materials are required, however, some common household items may be needed for supplemental activities.

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due