In this Form 3-4 (grade 7-9) study guide, students will study the earth’s materials and systems, including the composition, structure, physical properties, and history of the earth.

The study guide includes reading assignments from the spine text, narration prompts, and open discussion questions. Experiments related to the reading are also included. Optional supplemental activities, such as current events, videos, and article suggestions when there is time, are also included. Finally, you will find a link to an exam for each course in the introductory material.

Pages: 51
Prerequisites: none

Spine Text

The study guide accompanies the living book Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A First Book About Geology by Herman Schneider and Nina Schneider (Hillside Education, 2021, ISBN: 1955402043), which must be purchased separately.

196 pages
Reading Level: grade 7 and up
The Hillside edition is suggested as it includes updated information about plate tectonics, but not required. Page assignments for both the Hillside and Dover editions are included.

Herman Schneider (1905-2003) was born in Poland and emigrated with his family to the United States when a young boy. A few years later, Nina Zimet (1913-2007) was born in Belgium and moved with her family as a young girl to the United States.

They both grew up in New York City and married in 1941. The Schneiders would write nearly 80 books, most written together, but not all. Dozens made up the “Schneider Science Series” which posed and answered questions for young minds. Herman was a teacher for 20 years in the New York City school system and became the science supervisor of the schools. He was also the consultant for more than 50 Health Science filmstrips. Nina was an accomplished writer, mother, gardener, and lover of art.

It is said that Herman Schneider handled the scientific aspect of their books while Nina Schneider, with her literary sense, ensured the prose would enchant young readers. —Michele Jahncke (source)

Other Necessary Items to Complement This Course

Review the Supply List for this course.

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.

I’ve been using the SMH Science guides with my children for 3 years, now, and I LOVE them! My children are learning things and being exposed to ideas that I either never learned, or wasn’t exposed to until high school or later. And I am learning right along side them! Thanks, Nicole, for this labor of love.

—Cherridon A.

Sample Lessons:

A digital version can be purchased below, but the paperback copies of this study guide must be purchased on Amazon.

The study guide includes religious content, though the accompanying spine text does not. If you require a secular version, please choose that option below.