Earth's Processes and Systems
MS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
Bell Ringers: Earth's Processes and Systems Observe and Wonder
This collection includes bell ringers that prompt students to observe natural phenomena and ask questions related to Earth’s Processes and Systems.
Bell Ringers: Cycling of Earth's Materials and the Flow of Energy
This set of bell ringers poses thought-provoking questions that relate to evidence of geologic time scale and includes a list of common misconceptions to help teachers anticipate student misunderstandings.
Interactive:
The
Carbon Cycle
Concepts:
Go along on Cool Guy Carbon’s epic adventure as he participates in the carbon cycle as part of several different molecules.
- Screenshot Signature Page: Users can screenshot their name on the final page for proof of completion.
- Teacher Click-Through Presentation: This version allows teachers to quickly navigate through the interactive.
- Worksheet
Interactive:
Wild Wild Earth Part 4
Energy Transfer
Concepts:
Travel the world as you learn about radiation, convection, and conduction.
Screenshot Signature Page: Users can screenshot their name on the final page for proof of completion.
Simulation
Heat
Transfer
Students compare how water, sand, soil, and gravel heat up over time using a consistent heat source. This supports understanding of how different Earth materials absorb and retain energy.
Can be used with the VST graph maker—students collect temperature data and create graphs to analyze patterns.
MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
Bell Ringers:
Processes and Systems
Observe and Wonder
This collection includes bell ringers that prompt students to observe natural phenomena and ask questions related to Earth’s Processes and Systems.
Bell Ringers:
Geoscience Processes Changing Earth's Surface
This set of bell ringers poses thought-provoking questions about geoscience Processes changing Earth’s surface and includes a list of common misconceptions to help teachers anticipate student misunderstandings.
MS-ESS2-3: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.
Bell Ringers:
Distribution of Fossils and Rocks, Continental Shapes, and Seafloor Structures
This set of bell ringers poses thought-provoking questions about the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures and includes a list of common misconceptions to help teachers anticipate student misunderstandings.
MS-ESS2-4: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
Bell Ringers:
Cycling of Water
This set of bell ringers poses thought-provoking questions about the water cycle and includes a list of common misconceptions to help teachers anticipate student misunderstandings.
Interactive:
Watersheds
Discover where water comes from, where it goes, and how land shapes a watershed using the Chesapeake Bay as a real-world example.
- Virginia SOL 6.8
- NGSS MS-ESS2-4
- Read-Aloud Feature: Users can select the text to have it read aloud.
- Screenshot Signature Page: Users can sign and screenshot the final page for proof of completion.
- Teacher Click-Through: A version without the screenshot page for quick module review.
- Watersheds Crossword
Interactive:
Water Filtration Challenge
Explore key water management concepts and then design, build, and test a virtual water filter in this interactive module.
Virginia SOL 4.9 & 6.6
NGSS MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3
- Read-Aloud Feature: Users can select the text to have it read aloud.
- Screenshot Signature Page: Users can sign and screenshot the final page for proof of completion.
- Teacher Click-Through: A version without the screenshot page for quick module review.
MS-ESS2-5: Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
Bell Ringers:
Changes in Weather
This set of bell ringers includes dozens of questions designed to encourage critical thinking about changes in weather, high and low pressure systems, and fronts.
MS-ESS2-6: Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Bell Ringers:
Earth's Processes and Systems
Observe and Wonder
This set of bell ringers explores key concepts related to ocean and atmospheric currents, including sea and land breezes and the effects of topography, such as orographic (mountain) influences, on climate.
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