REAL Science Odyssey – Earth & Environment 2 Workbook

What is Earth & Environment 2 Workbook?

Earth & Environment 2 is contained in three books–textbook, Workbook (this item), and Teacher Guide. Together they form a year-long, secular homeschool science curriculum. The Workbook rounds out each lesson with independent research and hands-on activities, guiding students to EXPLORE, ABSORB, and LEARN more than they can from reading alone.

EXPLORE – Each lesson is followed by at least one hands-on lab. Students apply the scientific method, collect and interpret data, and build models.

ABSORB— Students take on their own, independent research with the Famous Science Series (FSS). Each FSS project introduces a scientist or discovery related to the lesson.

LEARN—Show What You Know (SWIK) quizzes and assessments help you determine what your student has mastered, and what they still need to review. You can use these as formal, written assessments, or as the basis for conversations that help you gauge your student’s understanding of key concepts.

These labs, projects, and activities are an essential part of middle and high school science. In addition to giving students the opportunity to learn by doing, the workbook serves as course record when complete.

Lab Experiments

No homeschool science curriculum would be complete without hands-on experiments! Your student will apply the scientific method and experience how the concepts from each lesson play out in real life. They will build models, make observations, and think critically about how to interpret results.

Course Structure

RSO Earth & Environment 2 homeschool science curriculum consists of three products:

• The Textbook, containing 23 progressive, narrative lessons designed for your middle or high school student to read independently.
• The Workbook (this product), containing labs, Famous Science Series independent research projects, Show What You Know Quizzes, and unit assessments.
• The Teacher Guide, containing lesson plans, materials lists, scheduling suggestions and more.

Each lesson follows the same general format:

• A reading in the textbook that introduces key concepts and vocabulary in context.
• Hands-on labs, research projects, and quizzes found in the Workbook.
• Five unit assessments are included in the workbook as well, which you may treat as tests, or simply use for review.

Earth & Environment 2 allows flexibility within this format. You can choose how many times per week to teach science. You can allow notes with the exams or not, or simply use them to review. No two homeschools are alike, and we make it easy for you to adapt the course to your needs.

Science Skills Covered

REAL Science Odyssey- Earth & Environment 2 starts with the basics and then covers progressively more complex concepts as you move through the course. Every unit reinforces aspects of the scientific method and critical thinking. Each lesson explores a big idea or question in depth through reading, experiments, and conversation.

Introduction and the Scientific Method

• The four spheres of Earth
• Scientific model, scientific theory, and scientific method
• The geologic timescale
• Distinguish scientific facts, hypotheses, laws, and theories

The Geosphere

• The theory of plate tectonics
• The chemistry of geology
• The rock cycle
• Fossil fuels
• Relative dating
• Absolute dating

Earth-Shaping Forces

• Weathering, erosion, and deposition
• Faults
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Formation of Mountains
• Human modification of Earth

The Hydrosphere

• The hydrologic cycle
• Fresh water
• Waves, currents, and the ocean floor
• Ocean chemistry, physics, and biology
• Water pollution and solutions

The Atmosphere

• The atmosphere
• Weather
• Storms
• The changing climate
• Air pollution and solutions

Planning and Scheduling