Introduction
Understanding connections between spheres of the Earth as a Global System. In this lesson plan students will also recognize how a system functions. Students also will be able to recognize that our planet contains 4 spheres, namely the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere (geosphere) and biosphere.
Task
- Students will be able to recognize that their campus or nearby field/park/canyon/forest is an example of how the planet contains 4 spheres: hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere (geosphere) and biosphere.
- Students will be able to recognize the applications of simple scientific instruments (e.g. rulers, thermometers)
Process
Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living things, or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere" (land), "hydrosphere" (water), "biosphere" (living things), and "atmosphere" (air). Each of these four spheres can be further divided into sub-spheres. To keep things simple in this module, there will be no distinction among the sub-spheres of any of the four major spheres.
Lithosphere
The lithosphere contains all of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust (surface), the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and the liquid land near the center of the planet. *The surface of the lithosphere is very uneven (see image at right). There are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and Andes (shown in red), huge plains or flat areas like those in Texas, Iowa, and Brazil (shown in green), and deep valleys along the ocean floor (shown in blue).
The solid, semi-solid, and liquid land of the lithosphere form layers that are physically and chemically different. If someone were to cut through Earth to its center, these layers would be revealed like the layers of an onion (see image above). The outermost layer of the lithosphere consists of loose soil rich in nutrients, oxygen, and silicon. Beneath that layer lies a very thin, solid crust of oxygen and silicon. Next is a thick, semi-solid mantle of oxygen, silicon, iron, and magnesium. Below that is a liquid outer core of nickel and iron. At the center of Earth is a solid inner core of nickel and iron.
*Note: The word "lithosphere" can take on different meanings depending on the speaker and the audience. For example, many geologists--scientists who study the geologic formations of Earth--reserve the word "lithosphere" to mean only the cold, hard surface of Earth, not the entire inside of the planet. For the purpose of this module, however, there will be no distinction among the various layers of land. The word "lithosphere" will be used in reference to all land in Earth's system. 
Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of the planet. **It ranges from 10 to 20 kilometers in thickness. The hydrosphere extends from Earth's surface downward several kilometers into the lithosphere and upward about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere.
A small portion of the water in the hydrosphere is fresh (non-salty). This water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's fresh water, however, is frozen.
Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty. The salty water collects in deep valleys along Earth's surface. These large collections of salty water are referred to as oceans. The image above depicts the different temperatures one would find on oceans' surfaces. Water near the poles is very cold (shown in dark purple), while water near the equator is very warm (shown in light blue). The differences in temperature cause water to change physical states. Extremely low temperatures like those found at the poles cause water to freeze into a solid such as a polar icecap, a glacier, or an iceberg. Extremely high temperatures like those found at the equator cause water to evaporate into a gas.
**Note: Some scientists place frozen water--glaciers, icecaps, and icebergs--in its own sphere called the "cryosphere." For the purpose of this module, however, frozen water will be included as part of the hydrosphere. The word "hydrosphere" will be used in reference to all water in Earth's system.
Biosphere
The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. ***This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth.
Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
It is impossible to detect from space each individual organism within the biosphere. However, biomes can be seen from space. For example, the image above distinguishes between lands covered with plants (shown in shades of green) and those that are not (shown in brown).
***Note: Some scientists place humans in their own sphere called the "anthrosphere." For the purpose of this module, however, humans will be included as part of the biosphere. The word "biosphere" will be used in reference to all living things in Earth's system.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's system. ****It extends from less than 1 m below the planet's surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's surface. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. When air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes, weather occurs. As air in the lower atmosphere is heated or cooled, it moves around the planet. The result can be as simple as a breeze or as complex as a tornado.
****Note: The atmosphere is made up of many layers that differ in chemical composition and temperature. For the purpose of this module, however, we will not differentiate among the layers of the atmosphere. The word "atmosphere" will be used in reference to all of the layers.
Evaluation
1. What are the four spheres of the Earth?
2. How will you define the Biosphere?
3. How will you define the Lithosphere?
4. How will you define the Hydrosphere?
5. How will you define the Atmosphere?
Conclusion
The four spheres show how the four main components of Planet Earth form a complete system. These main components are land, air, water, and life.
The lithosphere, also known as Geosphere is made of the earth's core, the mantle, crust, ocean floor,mountains, sand, rocks, alphalt, bricks, etc.
The hydrosphere is made of everything water such as oceans, rivers, lakes, rain, snow, and ice caps.
The atmosphere is made of gasses such as oxygen, hydrogen, water vapor, ozone, and the wind.
Finally the biosphere is all that has life such as plants, animals, people, insects, microbes, etc.
Credits
Teacher Page
the WebQuest helps to explain the Spheres of the Earth on the easiest way for the better understanding of the students.