This is part one of a three-part course in high school earth science. In this study guide, students will learn about 100 spectacular geological formations on the North American continent, including volcanoes, canyons, glaciers, lakes, craters, and plains. They will learn how each was formed and study the powerful forces constantly reshaping the planet, such as plate tectonics, weathering, and erosion. They will also learn about the various geological regions of North America and what makes each unique. Finally, they will research the geological areas particular to their state or province.

While the text focuses on North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico, students can apply the ideas to any continent. Those who do not live in North America will be prompted to discover similar features and regions on their continent.

Spine Text

This study guide accompanies the living book Aerial Geology: A High-Altitude Tour of North America’s Spectacular Volcanoes, Canyons, Glaciers, Lakes, Craters, and Peaks by Mary Caperton Morton. (Timber Press, 2017) Its old-earth perspective will be balanced by selections from The Geology Book by John D. Morris. (2000) Both are available on Amazon, but for a more extensive used-copy search, try used.addall.com.

308 pages
Reading Level: Grade 7-12
Prerequisites: none
Please Note. The study guide includes religious content. If you require a secular version, make that selection below. For more information, please see this page.

Author Bio

Mary Caperton Morton has degrees in geology and biology and a master’s in science journalism. Always a lover of the outdoors, Mary recounts her childhood growing up in Pennsylvania, “I grew up walking along the edges of fields, on old wagon paths that border planted rows, following ruts as old and deep as agriculture. Fields are where I first learned to explore, where I learned to pay attention to the smell of wildflowers, grass and earth, the sound of wind, honeybees and birds, the feel of long dewy grass running across my fingertips.”

She began hiking with zeal upon adopting a high-energy border collie just before her senior year of college. Mary has trekked in all 50 of our United States and believes everyone should take a trip across America to stop and experience the unique geology of our many faceted lands. Also, a world traveler, writer, photographer, skier, and mountain climber, Mary Caperton Morton explores the land “not in terms of textbooks, states and highways but as Earth, Sky and everything that lives in between.” (source)

Other Necessary Items to Complement This Course

Supply List

Schedule

This study guide includes 33 lessons, each requiring approximately 30-40 minutes. You can either schedule it:

Three times a week for 11 weeks, allowing for exams during the 12th week, or
Once a week for an entire year, allowing time for exams at the end of each term and including other science subjects on the other days of the week.

This guide uses the tools and prompts