Earth Science Middle School SEM 2: Geology, Weather, Oceans, Space, Geography
FOLLOWING ON FROM SEMESTER 1. The full Earth Science Curriculum covering the main subjects on most courses: fossils, volcanoes, dinosaurs, earthquakes, oceans, weathering, atmospheric systems, astronomy, space & planet science & environment
What's included
18 live meetings
15 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework is optional. Each week from weeks 2 to 14 there will be 6 multi-choice questions to answer using Google Forms within a week of class.Assessment
Grades will be offered at the end of the course as long as the student answers enough of the optional weekly questions. A certificate of attendance with grade will be sent to the student at the end of the Semester.Progress Report
Parents can request an update on their multiple-choice scores, but the student can also keep track of these themselves are scores and feedback are automatically given after submission each week.Certificate of Completion
All students can receive a certificate of completion. If the student undertakes the assessment this will be automatically generated and will include a grade.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
NOTE: We will be starting Semseter 2 in the 2nd week of January each year. You can also join my Semester 1&2 classes as they are also starting Semester 2 at the same time. You can also join my Semester 1 classes starting in January. Please note content does build but each class can also be taken as a stand-alone class, so you can JOIN OR LEAVE ANYTIME using the pay weekly option at no extra cost. All students will get a certificate of attendance with grades if they do the optional coursework. Welcome to my Earth Science course, which focuses on some of the most dramatic physical forces on Earth, with the aim of making learning fun and exhilarating. I think making learning enjoyable and bringing science to life is the best way to get kids engaged and learning without realising it. No previous experience necessary. Please contact me if you need my Degree Certificates sent to you. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ CLASS SUMMARY ▬▬▬▬▬ In this class we focus on all parts of the Earth Science school curriculum, with a new topic being introduced each week. All topics covered are an important part of any child's education in Geology, Meteorology, Physical Geography, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Astronomy and Space Science. We cover dinosaurs, fossils, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, minerals & gems, the planets, ocean currents, the changing environment and connected Earth systems. Please see my course syllabus for more details on class content and schedules. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ CLASS OPTIONS ▬▬▬▬▬ Here are some options for 1,2 or 3 year courses. 1 Semester course option - just cancel after Semester 1 or join my single Semester courses. 1 Year Course Option - join Semester 1&2 or book Semester 1 and 2 seperately. 2 Year Course Option- take Semester 3 & 4 next year. 3 year or more interactive class option - take Semester 5 & 6, where we work through previous NY Regents Exam questions. Private Tuition also available - please contact me directly. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ CLASS STYLE ▬▬▬▬▬ I use PowerPoint presentations for all my classes, so I can mix text and multimedia (photos & videos) which I think makes the class more accessible and interesting. I use educational videos regularly in my classes where this improves the quality of the teaching. This class will be in a lecture style where students are reminded they can ask questions at any time and I do enjoy questions. This means that you can enjoy the class however you like - speak up and get involved and ask questions, or just listen and enjoy with no pressure. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ COMMUNICATIONS ▬▬▬▬▬ Please contact me to arrange either one-off or ongoing bespoke 1-to1 tuition sessions. I generally reply within a few hours during term time weekdays. I try and reply within 24hrs otherwise. If you try my class and it is not quite right, then I don't want anyone to leave unhappy, please contact me and I can help. Just contact me if you have any further questions, I am happy to help.
Learning Goals
To discover and learn without realising it, because you are having fun! By the end of this course students will have in depth knowledge of the Earth Science curriculum.
Syllabus
18 Lessons
over 18 WeeksLesson 1:
1) Earth Science Cycles: Oceans, Atmosphere, Land & Climate
In this class I give an overview of the Earth Systems that combine to make this beautiful planet of ours. We examine the water, air, rock and other cycles, as well as look at how climate has changed over time.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
2) Geology 1: Minerals, Mining, Gems & Precious Metals
In this class we analyse the definition of a mineral and examine why some minerals are not gems and some gems are not minerals. We then look at precious metals and study why they are so rare and how we find and mine them.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Environmental Science 1: Glaciers, Ice Sheets & Climate Change
In this class we get colder and focus on Glaciers and Ice Sheets and look at the formations that glaciers make in mountain ranges. We then look at the relationship between the big ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica and what they are melting and what will happen when they do.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Environmental Science 2: Deserts, Wind & Drought
In this class we get drier, but not necessarily hotter, since deserts can be hot or cold. We look at why the deserts are located at plus and minus 30 degrees latitude and what formations are made where wind is the main erosional force. Finally we look at droughts and why and where they happen.
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Structured lecture classes, so participation optional, relieves anxiety
Mixed media slides appeal to different learning styles
Engaging topics keeps attention
Slides can be seen before class
Multi-choice questions avoids penalising spelling
Parental Guidance
Some classes talks about Global Warming and Climate Change causing more frequent natural disasters. It also talks about mass extinctions including the possibility of humans causing one now (including ourselves) and has some drawn images of animals dying to become fossils. It is delivered in a upbeat manner with positive solutions (eg: switching to renewable energy, colonising other planets), but the more sensitive students may find these topics distressing.
Pre-Requisites
None
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
MAIN TEXTBOOK - not essential but highly recommended:
Earth Scinece - Global Edition (14th Edition: 2015) - Tarbuck and Lutgens - Published by Pearsons
CHEAPER OPTION:
Earth Science - Hardback Edition - Samuel - Published by: Spaulding, Namowitz
https://geology.com/articles/what-is-earth-science.shtml
https://www.britannica.com/science/Earth-sciences
https://earth-science.org.uk/
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
3 Degrees
Doctoral Degree from University of Nottingham
Master's Degree in Science from Imperial College London
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Bristol
I have a BSc in Geology and an MSc in Geophysics and have chosen the most interesting and exciting subjects to teach to get young minds fascinated by Earth Sciences.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $360 for 18 classes1x per week, 18 weeks
50 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
5-18 learners per class