On and Above the Earth

 Atmosphere  Lithosphere  Hydrosphere  Biosphere  Atmosphere  Lithosphere  Hydrosphere  Biosphere

Atmosphere  A layer of gases surrounding the Earth.  Contains the oxygen we breathe.  Protects the Earth from radiation and space debris.  Provides the medium for weather and climate.  Air, weather, storms and climate.  A layer of gases surrounding the Earth.  Contains the oxygen we breathe.  Protects the Earth from radiation and space debris.  Provides the medium for weather and climate.  Air, weather, storms and climate.

Lithosphere  The solid rock portion of the Earth’s surface.  Includes the crust and uppermost mantle.  Under the ocean, the lithosphere forms the seafloor.  Huge landmasses above the water are called continents. (there are 7)  Earth’s crust, plate tectonic movements cause create mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes.  The solid rock portion of the Earth’s surface.  Includes the crust and uppermost mantle.  Under the ocean, the lithosphere forms the seafloor.  Huge landmasses above the water are called continents. (there are 7)  Earth’s crust, plate tectonic movements cause create mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes.

Hydrosphere  Made up of the water elements on the Earth.  Includes oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and water in the atmosphere.  Water cycle, hurricanes and monsoons.  Made up of the water elements on the Earth.  Includes oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and water in the atmosphere.  Water cycle, hurricanes and monsoons.

Biosphere  The atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere make up the biosphere.  The part of the Earth where plants and animals live.  Biomes are different geographic regions that support life.  Examples: Forests, grasslands, deserts and tundra.  The atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere make up the biosphere.  The part of the Earth where plants and animals live.  Biomes are different geographic regions that support life.  Examples: Forests, grasslands, deserts and tundra.

Activity  Use worksheets provided by teacher.  Cut out the 4 circles representing the 4 different spheres of the Earth.  Each sphere should be labeled (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere or biosphere).  Each sphere should include a description of the processes that affect that sphere and a picture representation.  Use worksheets provided by teacher.  Cut out the 4 circles representing the 4 different spheres of the Earth.  Each sphere should be labeled (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere or biosphere).  Each sphere should include a description of the processes that affect that sphere and a picture representation.

How will I be graded?  Each Sphere is worth 25 points.  Name of the Sphere – 5 pts.  Description – 10 pts.  Pictures – 10 pts.  Each Sphere is worth 25 points.  Name of the Sphere – 5 pts.  Description – 10 pts.  Pictures – 10 pts.