The 7th Graders have completed the first of two Book Projects. Our first book was entitled "The Atmosphere of Our Planet Earth." Here is the outline that students used to create their book.

Exploring Planet Earth Book

Part One – Chapter One

Apply the following steps to create your book. You will be graded on content, neatness/clarity and the ability to following instructions.

COVER: Title: The Atmosphere of Our Planet Earth

1.  Draw the planet Earth

INSIDE COVER:

By: _________________

Published Date: ______________

Page #1:    Title: The Past Atmosphere

1. Draw what scientists feel the earth looked like many years ago.

2. (Restate) What two gases were present in the greatest amount in the atmosphere of the Earth 4 billion years ago?

Page #2:     Title: The Atmosphere Today

1. Draw Figure 1-7 (Prentice Hall publication ISBN#0-13-423187-2)

2. (Restate) What four gases are present in the greatest amounts in the Earth’s atmosphere today?

Pages 3 and 4:   Title: The Nitrogen Cycle

1. Draw the nitrogen cycle

2.  (Restate) Describe the process of the nitrogen cycle by using the following terms: nitrogen, proteins, muscles, growth, repair, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, nitrates, plants, decay.

3.  (Restate) Define the nitrogen cycle in one sentence.

Page #5: Title: Oxygen in the Atmosphere

1. Draw a pie chart to show the amount of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere.

2. (Restate) Which two gases make up most of the Earth’s atmosphere?

Pages 6 and 7:  Title: The Carbon Cycle

1. Draw the Carbon Cycle in Figure 1-12

2. Describe how carbon dioxide and oxygen are continuously exchanged among plants and animals by using the following terms: carbon dioxide, oxygen, green plants, photosynthesis, respiration, decay.

3. (Restate) Why are scientists concerned that the level of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing?

Pages 8 and 9:  Title: The Water Cycle

1. Draw the Water Cycle

2. (Restate) Describe the steps of the water cycle by using the following terms: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, rain, runoff, sleet, water vapor, snow, hail. 

Page #10: Title: Pollution of the Atmosphere

1. Draw an example of a source of pollution to the atmosphere.

2. (Restate) Describe two suggestions that you and your family can do to reduce the amount of air pollution.

Page #11:  Title: Layers of the Atmosphere

1. Draw the planet Earth and the atmosphere that surrounds it.

2.  (Restate) How are the layers of the atmosphere divided?

3. (Restate) Describe how air pressure changes as altitude increases.

Page #12:  Title: The Troposphere

1. Draw land along the bottom of the page. Illustrate the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth by drawing and labeling (average height) a line to indicate the height above the Earth.

2. Draw examples of two significant characteristics of the troposphere.

3. (Restate) Describe how convection currents contribute to the Earth’s weather.

4.  (Restate) Describe the temperature with increase in altitude.

Page #13:  Title: The Stratosphere

1. Draw land along the bottom of the page. Draw a line and label average height of the troposphere. Illustrate this layer of the atmosphere by drawing and labeling (height) a line above the surface of the Earth.

2. (Restate) Describe the temperature with increase in altitude.

3. Draw a significant characteristic of this layer of the atmosphere that helps move weather patterns from west to east across the United States.

4.   Draw the ozone molecule; Figure 1-19.

5. (Restate) Explain why the ozone layer is important to life on Earth.

Page #14:  Title: The Mesosphere

1. Draw land along the bottom of the page. Draw a line and label average height of the troposphere. Draw another line and label the height of the stratosphere. Illustrate this layer of the atmosphere by drawing and labeling (height) a line above the surface of the Earth.

2. (Restate) Describe the temperature with increase in altitude.

3. Draw a significant characteristic of this layer of the atmosphere.

4. (Restate) Describe how the significant characteristic you drew in number three is important to life on Earth.

Page #15:   Title: The Thermosphere

1.  Draw land along the bottom of the page. Draw a line and label average height of the troposphere. Draw another line and label the height of the stratosphere. Draw a third line and label the height of the Mesosphere. Illustrate this layer of the atmosphere by labeling the lower and upper levels of the thermosphere.

2. (Restate) Why is the temperature not measured with a thermometer?

3. Draw a significant characteristic of this layer of the atmosphere.

4.   (Restate) Explain why a solar flare may interfere with the transmission of radio waves in the ionosphere.

Page #16:  Title: The Magnetosphere

Mallory has much to tell about, so listen carefully girls.

Olivia is working with two buddies.

Don't worry, Lucie is going to get to the best part of the story soon. Will it be the Water Cycle?

Levi's partners are impressed with his expression. He sure is a good at reading big words.

Kaylyn shows her book to Jackie

Donnie's partner sees the great graphics. Donnie sure can draw nicely. (and he stays in the lines too) 

Aaron's partner wonders, "How will I ever learn about the Nitrogen Cycle? It is a very serious subject."

Ryan shows his buddy how he drew parts of the Earth and the atmosphere that surrounds it.

Aaron worked to explain about the Troposphere to his young listeners.

Robyn's project is quite an amazing presentation.

Derek's partner listens quietly.