Description Within the entire universe, we know of only one planet that is capable of life, and we call it home. Everything that we need to survive and thrive has been given to us by our Creator. Beauty and life surround us on our home planet, Earth, and Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Earth Science, 2nd ed. helps students understand that God is in all things—from the natural order in the foundation of our universe to the unique and methodical processes that preserve our home planet. In this course, students will study the Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. They will dig deep and dive in as they complete activities that put the world at their fingertips. They’ll even get to build their own 3D globe, which they can keep for years to come! Curriculum Overview Exploring Creation with Earth Science, 2nd ed. begins by taking students on a journey through the entire universe to help them realize that Earth is our home, and it’s a wonderful place to be. Since Earth is the only known planet to support life, it makes sense to try to understand and appreciate the gift God has given us. Students then learn about Earth’s special place in the habitable zone and how God designed Earth to protect us and provide for all of our needs. Next, students study the different spheres of our planet, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. They will understand that the rotation of Earth gives us variety for our days and nights, and the revolutions of Earth around our Sun give us variety in our seasons during the year. O your location on Earth gives us even more diverse locations to enjoy. As students build a functional globe throughout their lessons, they will comprehend latitude, longitude, and time zones. They’ll explore the movements that shape our planet and the different types of rocks that form the Earth’s crust. Studying weather, climates, and atmospheric conditions will help budding meteorologists forecast their weekly weather. Lessons about life on Earth, the cycles of life, unique places on our planet, and seeing God in creation round out the school year. Hands-On Activities As students work through this course, they will use common household items to complete activities that expand upon the information taught in each lesson. In addition to building a 3D globe complete with mountain ranges, students will create expanding universe putty and a galaxy mobile, build a Goldilocks Zone, bake “edible rocks,” and more. These engaging, hands-on activities bring learning to life and create an atmosphere of fun! Lesson Plans and Materials This 1-year Earth Science course contains 14 lessons. The Notebooking Journal (sold separately) includes a suggested detailed lesson plan and daily schedule to set young explorers up for success. This course covers the following topics: Lesson 1: The Observable Universe Lesson 2: Life in the Habitable Zone Lesson 3: Spheres of the Earth Lesson 4: Mapping Your World Lesson 5: The Geosphere Lesson 6: Making and Shaping the Land Lesson 7: The Hydrosphere Lesson 8: The Atmosphere Lesson 9: Climate and Weather Lesson 10: Weather Forecasting Lesson 11: The Biosphere Lesson 12: Cycles of Life Lesson 13: Unique Places on Earth Lesson 14: God in Creation The goal of this curriculum is to help students understand that the Earth is their home, so they should get to know it, understand it, and appreciate its beauty and design. It is written to help students recognize the wonders that surround them every day.
