Earth Science Online Textbook

The Earth Science online/digital textbook dives into geology, the environment, and the universe and was written to support the Nitty Gritty Science Earth Science Curriculum.

Students can access information online, or a pdf can be printed for each section. This online textbook is in no way intended to be a complete overview of Earth Science.

The topics covered are grade-appropriate (Grades 6, 7, and 8) and support the Middle School Earth Science Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) along with most state standards. As this is only one resource, it is always recommended that students also learn how to use other resources to fill in the gaps and provide more context for each subject.

Chapter 1: Nature of Science

• Section 1: Method of Science
• Section 2: Standards of Measurement
• Section 3: Graphing

Chapter 2: Intro to Earth Science

• Section 1: The Study of Earth Science
• Section 2: Lab Safety
• Section 3: Scientific Research and Tools

Chapter 3: Mapping Earth’s Surface

• Section 1: Exploring Earth’s Surface
• Section 2: Models of Earth
• Section 3: Maps and Computers

Chapter 4: Rocks and Minerals

• Section 1: Properties of Minerals
• Section 2: Mineral Formation and Resources
• Section 3: Classifying Rocks
• Section 4: Rock Groups

Chapter 5: Plate Tectonics

• Section 1: Earth’s Interior
• Section 2: Convection in the Mantle
• Section 3: Continental Drift & Seafloor Spreading
• Section 4: Theory of Plate Tectonics

Chapter 6: Forces that Shape the Earth

• Section 1: Forces that Shape the Earth
• Section 2: Earthquakes
• Section 3: Volcanoes
• Section 4: Volcanic Landforms

Chapter 7: Earth’s Changing Surface

• Section 1: Weathering
• Section 2: Soil Formation
• Section 3: Erosion & Deposition: Water & Wind
• Section 4: Erosion & Deposition: Mass Movement & Glaciers

Chapter 8: A Trip Through Earth’s History

• Section 1: Fossils
• Section 2: Determining Ages of Rocks
• Section 3: Geological Time Scale
• Section 4: Earth’s Eras

Chapter 9: Earth’s Waters

• Section 1: Earth: The Water Planet
• Section 2: Fresh Water
• Section 3: Composition & Characteristics of Oceans
• Section 4: Ocean Waves & Tides
• Section 5: Ocean Currents & Climate

Chapter 10: Earth’s Atmosphere

• Section 1: Earth’s Atmosphere
• Section 2: Atmosphere Energy Transfer
• Section 3: Winds & Water
• Section 4: Air Quality

Chapter 11: Weather & Climate

• Section 1: Weather Patterns
• Section 2: Weather Forecast
• Section 3: Climates of Earth
• Section 4: Factors that Influence Climate
• Section 5: Climate Cycles & Recent Climate Change

Chapter 12: Astronomy & Space Science

• Section 1: Earth’s Motion
• Section 2: The Moon – Earth’s Satellite
• Section 3: Solar System
• Section 4: The Planets
• Section 5: Stars & Galaxies
• Section 6: Space Exploration

Chapter 13: Natural Resources

• Section 1: Energy & Mineral Resources (Nonrenewable)
• Section 2: Renewable Energy Resources
• Section 3: Land Resources & Human Impact
• Section 4: Air and Resources & Human Impact