LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Earth Science
1st Quarter 2020-2021
TOPIC Earth Subsystems Date: August, 2020
Week: 1 Lesson No. 2
OBJECTIVE
At the end of the day, the students can explain the Earth’s four subsystems, its boundaries,
matter and energy flow by:
1.1 defining the concept of a system;
1.2 describing the Earth as a system; and
1.3 differentiating its subsystem
I. ENGAGING ON TASK
1.1. Setting Emotional Climate
Good day everyone. Do you know that I woke up today feeling great? I had a good dream
last night that weather was great. I am in the middle of the forest with animals, the vegetation
around me, the cool breeze of the air and the soothing sound of the waterfalls which make me
not to wake up from the reality anymore like I was Alice in wonderland. How about you?
What was your dream? Today, I would like to ask for your help to answer the given questions
below which seem to make my dream a wonderful one. Can I count you in?
1.2. Refreshing of Prior Knowledge
Instructions: Answer the following questions by the side of the image.
Questions:
1. What can you see from the
illustration 1.1?
2. Label the different processes
and phases involved in the
illustration.
Illustration: 1.1
LINKING STATEMENT: How do you find the activity? The picture above shows the
relationship and interactions of a water cycle which deals with one of the systems found in our
planet. Today, we are going to learn how to define the concept of a system, describe the Earth
as a system which composed of subsystems. You will be working by pair throughout the
activity.
1
II. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1.3. Summary of Essential Concept
A system is a set of interconnected components that are interacting to form a unified
whole.
Earth system is essentially a closed system. It receives energy from the sun and
returns some of this energy to space.
Earth is composed of four subsystem.
1. Atmosphere
2. Biosphere
3. Lithosphere
4. Hydrosphere
HYDROSPHER
E
ATMOSPHERE
Illustration 1.2
HYDROSPHERE
About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid water and much of it is in
the form of ocean water.
Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds are in the form of ice, and the
remaining one-third is present in streams, lakes, and groundwater.
The oceans are important sinks for CO2 through direct exchange with the
atmosphere and indirectly through the weathering of rocks.
Heat is absorbed and redistributed on the surface of the Earth through
ocean circulation.
2
BIOSPHERE
The term "biosphere" was popularized by Vladimir Vernadsky (1863-
1945), a Russian - Ukranian scientist who hypothesized that life is a
geological force that shapes the Earth.
Gaia Hypothesis was jointly developed by James Lovelock, an English
scientist/naturalist, and Lynn Margulis, an American microbiologist
which states that the biosphere is a self-regulating system that is capable
of controlling its physical and chemical environment.
The biosphere is the set of all life forms on Earth. It covers all
ecosystems—from the soil to the rainforest, from mangroves to coral
reefs, and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the deep sea.
For the majority of life on Earth, the base of the food chain comprises
photosynthetic organisms. During photosynthesis, CO2 is sequestered
from the atmosphere, while oxygen is released as a byproduct. The
biosphere is a CO2 sink, and therefore, an important part of the carbon
cycle.
ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is the thin gaseous layer that envelopes the
lithosphere.
The present atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N). 21%
oxygen (O2), 0.9% argon, and trace amount of other gases.
One of the most important processes by which the heat on the Earth's
surface is redistributed is through atmospheric circulation.
There is also a constant exchange of heat and moisture between the
atmosphere and the hydrosphere through the hydrologic cycle.
The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is transferred among
the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.
LITHOSPHERE
The lithosphere includes the rocks of the crust and mantle, the metallic
liquid outer core, and the solid metallic inner core.
The primary driving mechanism in the Earth's internal heat that
causes the tectonic plates to move is the convection current found in
the mantle of the Earth’s interior.
Adapted from: Calveria et. al .2016.
1.4. TESTING OF KNOWLEDGE
1. How does your body react to outside temperature? Do you think you are capable of self-
regulation?
3
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think will happen if there is an absence of one subsystem?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Which of the following subsystems is mainly affected if one subsystem fails?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
III. DEEPENING EXERCISE
1.5. PRODUCTIVE TEAMWORK
STRATEGIES: THINK-CONNECT-SHARE
Instructions:
STEP 1: Communicate with your partner.
STEP 2: Individually, construct an illustration diagram on how energy and mass exchange
among the subsystems. (For example, refer to illustration 1.2 above)
STEP 2: Connect your ideas with your partner and illustrate them in a diagram.
Option 1: Use different types of line boxes to differentiate between matter/materials
and energy.
Option 2: Use arrows to indicate interaction between/among components.
STEP 3: Format: (Short bond paper), Century Gothic 11, No spacing, Narrow margin.
STEP 4: Submit it on the given date.
1.6. KNOWLEDGE SCANNING
Answer the question below.
“What do you think will happen if one subsystem dominates the other?”
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4
1.7. INTEGRATION OF LEARNING
Four words that you can associate with the learnings you find essential throughout the
lesson:
IV-SELF DETERMINING PRACTICE
Instructions: Read and answer what are asked below.
Take a picture of your surrounding and list down the things that belong to the four
subsystems in a table form. (Attach the picture)
Biosphere Lithosphere
Atmosphere Hydrosphere
You are graded using the following criteria:
Evidence: 5 pts
Efficiency: 5 pts
Emphasis: 5 pts
Total: 15 pts
V. REFLECTION/ACTION
Instructions: Read and answer the questions below.
Human beings are a highly organized organisms which follow systems to continue their
functions. What do you think will happen if there is a dysfunctional organ or system in your
body? How are you going to cope up with this? Share your thoughts.
5
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
VI. REFERENCE
Calveria, et al. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Biology I. Quezon
City: EC-TEC Commercial
Prepared by:
Judith Ann Pangan
Rowena D. Elias
Subject Teacher
Noted:
ROMEO J. GABITO, Ed.D
SHS, Assistant Principal
