Substitute Observation Log

Date: ________________________

Class: ________________________

Period(s): ________________________

Regular Teacher: ________________________

General Observations

• Classroom Atmosphere: (e.g., focused, energetic, quiet, chatty)
  
  
  
• Overall Behavior: (e.g., respectful, cooperative, engaged, easily distracted)
  
  
  
• Pacing of Activities: (e.g., too fast, too slow, just right)
  
  
  

Student Engagement

• How did students engage with the lesson materials/activities (e.g., Environmental Interconnections Reading, Environmental Challenges Worksheet)?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Noteworthy examples of participation or collaboration:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Areas where students seemed to struggle or disengage:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Specific Behavior Notes (If Applicable)

• Positive Behaviors: (e.g., students helping each other, active listening)
  
  
  
• Minor Disruptions and how they were addressed:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Any significant incidents (attach separate report if needed):
  
  
  
  
  
  

Questions or Concerns for the Regular Teacher

Substitute Teacher Signature: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Environmental Interconnections: How Our Planet Works

Our Earth is a complex and beautiful place, made up of several interconnected systems that work together to create the conditions necessary for life. Understanding these systems and how they interact is the first step to understanding environmental science. The four main systems are the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

The Atmosphere: Earth's Blanket

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding our planet. It contains the air we breathe, protects us from harmful solar radiation, and helps regulate Earth's temperature. Think about how clouds form in the atmosphere, influencing weather patterns, or how the air we exhale contributes to the carbon cycle. Changes in the atmosphere, like increased greenhouse gases, can lead to global warming and climate change, affecting every other system.

The Hydrosphere: The World of Water

The hydrosphere includes all the water on Earth—in oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and even underground aquifers. Water is essential for all known life. The water cycle, where water evaporates, condenses into clouds, and falls as precipitation, connects the hydrosphere to the atmosphere. Pollution in our rivers and oceans directly impacts aquatic life (biosphere) and can even affect the quality of water vapor in the atmosphere.

The Geosphere: The Solid Earth

The geosphere refers to the solid parts of our planet: rocks, mountains, soil, and the Earth's interior. This system provides habitats, nutrients for plants, and raw materials. Volcanic eruptions (geosphere) release gases into the atmosphere and can alter local climates. Soil (geosphere) quality is crucial for plant growth (biosphere), and erosion can significantly impact waterways (hydrosphere).

The Biosphere: Where Life Thrives

The biosphere encompasses all living things on Earth, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales. The biosphere relies on the other three systems for its survival. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, draw water from the hydrosphere, and nutrients from the geosphere. Animals breathe atmospheric oxygen and drink water from the hydrosphere. When human activities like deforestation (removing parts of the biosphere) occur, it can lead to soil erosion (geosphere impact), reduced oxygen production (atmosphere impact), and altered rainfall patterns (hydrosphere impact).

Human Impact: A Force of Change

For centuries, human activities have increasingly influenced these natural systems. Industrialization has led to increased emissions of greenhouse gases, altering the atmosphere. Pollution from factories and agriculture contaminates the hydrosphere and geosphere. Deforestation and urbanization directly reduce the biosphere. Recognizing these interconnections highlights the importance of sustainable practices. Every action we take, from conserving water to reducing our carbon footprint, has a ripple effect across all of Earth's systems.

Environmental Challenges: Identify and Solve!

Instructions: Based on our discussion and the Environmental Interconnections Reading, identify key environmental challenges related to each of Earth's systems. Then, brainstorm and propose at least two sustainable solutions for each challenge.

1. Atmosphere Challenges

Challenge 1:

Solution A:

Solution B:

Challenge 2:

Solution A:

Solution B:

2. Hydrosphere Challenges

Challenge 1:

Solution A:

Solution B:

Challenge 2:

Solution A:

Solution B:

3. Geosphere Challenges

Challenge 1:

Solution A:

Solution B:

Challenge 2:

Solution A:

Solution B:

4. Biosphere Challenges

Challenge 1:

Solution A:

Solution B:

Challenge 2:

Solution A:

Solution B: