Grade level: 6th – 10th grade
Author: Blair H. Lee, M.S.
 
The RSO Earth & Environment 2 curriculum is contained in three separate books:
Earth & Environment 2 textbook (this item)
Earth & Environment 2 Workbook
Earth & Environment 2 Teacher Guide
 
What is RSO Earth & Environment 2?
RSO Earth & Environment 2 is a 23-week earth and environmental science course. It is meant to be paired with the 12-week RSO Astronomy 2 course for a complete yearlong curriculum.
The student textbook, student workbook, and the teacher guide contain all the information you need to teach earth and environmental science this year. This course was written so that it could be taught by all educators, even if you do not have a science degree.
While learning the fundamentals of earth and environmental science, students learn and practice the methods used by scientists to establish the scientific facts and theories that form the basis of those fundamentals. The labs are closely paired with the written material; that way students can see how the results of experiments have led to a better understanding of how the physical world works. The experiments also demonstrate the application of science principles. All of this together gives you a complete science course that teaches the core principles of earth and environmental science while teaching the processes used to develop these principles.
This course challenges middle and high school students to conduct independent research, think critically, and make connections between concepts and the real world. Each lesson builds on the last, introducing new vocabulary and concepts in a logical progression. Math, a basic tool for all scientists, is integrated throughout. Labs, found in the Workbook, guide students in using the scientific method and discovering for themselves how the physical world works.
 
Who can use Earth & Environment 2?
RSO Earth & Environment 2is designed for homeschool middle and high school students, or roughly grades 6-10. The lessons are written at a level appropriate for independent readers in these grades. Workbook assignments, especially labs, may require more guidance from the parent or teacher. And of course, we always encourage you to discuss the big ideas and questions presented in each lesson.
 
Course Structure
RSO Earth & Environment 2 homeschool science curriculum consists of three products:
The textbook (this product), containing 23 progressive, narrative lessons designed for your middle or high school student to read independently.
The Workbook, containing labs, Famous Science Series independent research projects, Show What You Know Quizzes, and five unit assessments.
The Teacher Guide, containing lesson plans, materials lists, scheduling suggestions and more.
 
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.
 
What is Earth & Environment 2 Teacher Guide?
RSO Earth & Environment 2 is contained in three books– Earth & Environment 2 textbook, student Workbook, and Teacher Guide (this item). Together, they form a year-long, secular, homeschool science course for middle or high school. The Teacher Guide gives you tools and support to implement the RSO Earth & Environment 2 curriculum. As your student works through the lessons and activities in the textbook and workbook, the Teacher Guide provides detailed guidance for you as the instructor.
Materials—A full list of all materials needed broken down by chapter and lab, plus an alphabetical list of all materials for the course.
Weekly Schedules—Week-by-week schedules for the entire course. Choose from two, three, or five sessions per week.
Learning Goals—A list of important concepts and main ideas for each lesson the course, so you know what your student should understand by the end.
Extracurricular Resources—books, websites, and other resources complement and reinforce each week’s lesson. These are curated resources that give your student reliable information when they want to dive deeper into the subject, or need extra clarification.
Lesson Reviews—Notes that review the main points of each lesson, to help you teach more effectively. You can also use them as a jumping-off point for questions and discussions with your student.
Answer Keys— Answers to Show What You Know quizzes, lab sheets, and Famous Science Series are provided for each chapter. Answers to all assessments are found in the appendix.
Grading Rubrics—We provide grading schemes for various approaches to the course. We demystify the weights and percentages you should apply to each activity.
The Teacher Guide takes the stress of planning and scheduling off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your child’s learning and enjoy your homeschool journey.