Earth and Space

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Earth and space. The student understands the rock cycle and the structure of Earth.
Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

the system of gases that surrounds Earth

the system on Earth that contains all the living things below, on the surface, above the ground, and in the water and the biotic and abiotic factors required for life; made of all the ecosystems on Earth

the system on Earth that contains the solid land and is subject to plate tectonics

the system on Earth that contains all of the liquid and frozen water on Earth's surface as well as groundwater below the surface and water vapor in the atmosphere

regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole

Research

Gagnon, Valoree, and Heather Bradway. “Connecting Earth Systems: Developing Holistic Understanding Through the Earth-System-Science Model.” Science Scope 36, no. 4 (December 2012): 68–76. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43183285.

Summary: Understanding Earth's systems begins with establishing an understanding of the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.  This article provides explanations of each along with information to investigate interactions of cause and effect among the Earth systems.