YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Waldorf Initiative in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
COURSES AND CLASSES
--Earth Science--
Cartography, Geography, Geology
Grade 9: Youth Initiative High School
Viroqua, Driftless Area, North America
April 23-May 11, 2007
Teachers: Jacob Hundt and Marie Smith
The goal of this block is to locate our place on the surface of the planet Earth. We will begin with an examination of the major physical features present on the Earth’s surface and their often astonishing histories. Geologist Marie Smith will introduce the class to the basic concepts of geology, including the different categories of rocks and minerals and the rock cycle. We will explore the powerful forces that drive mountain ranges into the sky and tear continents asunder, as well as the subtler, but no less powerful, forces that have shaped the gentle landscape of hills and coulees with which we are familiar. We will attempt to reconstruct an account of the geological forces and events that created the landscape of Wisconsin and of the unique Driftless Area in which we live. To familiarize ourselves with our local geography and geology, we will make field trips to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Star Valley Cave, as well as examine a variety of maps and written accounts of our region.
During the second half of the class, our task will be to gain some understanding of the unique and powerful language of maps. We will discuss the history of the exploration and mapping of the dimensions of the Earth and students will be introduced to the various symbols and conventions that give maps their power to communicate. We will also discuss what makes the various classes of maps different from one another and try our hands at making and using maps of different types.
Through out this block, the focus of class discussions, exercises, and assignments will be on carefully observing geographical features and reflecting about the best way to represent these observations in words, maps, and pictures. Throughout the class students will be taking short map quizzes on the locations of the continents, countries, cities, and physical features of the world and of the US.
Class Requirements:
1. Active participation in all class discussions and activities. This will include a number of short homework assignments.
2. Participation on several short quizzes covering geographical terminology and world geography.
4. A score of at least 60% on a comprehensive final exam covering material from all parts of the class. To prepare for this, students should take careful notes during all class discussions and lectures and ask questions in class if anything is unclear.
5. Final project: All students must complete a detailed and polished topographic map of the area surrounding the student’s home, or another place in Wisconsin that they are familiar with. We will be using a variety of online resources to complete this project and in-class work time will be provided. Projects should be completed individually and will be due on Friday, May 11, the last day of the class. Written proposals for alternative mapping projects will be considered before April 27.
Class Outline
April 23: An Introduction to Geology: the Rock Cycle
April 24: Visit to Kickapoo Valley Reserve: The Geology of the Driftless Area
April 25: Geological Change: Earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciation, and erosion
April 26: Plate tectonics, the interior of the Earth
April 27: The Geological History of the Earth
April 30: The Big Picture: the physical map of North America
May 1: Visit to Star Valley Cave
May 2: Basic Geology review and quiz
May 3: Introduction to Cartography
May 4: Reading topographic maps. Begin work on final projects.
May 7: Imaginary lines: latitude, longitude, surveying
May 8: Map projections and scale. Work on projects.
May 9: GPS systems; Maps vs. Reality
May 10: Final Exam
May 11: Presentation of final projects and review of exam