Aligning Course to K-12 Science Standards
For most K-8 teachers, the only formal Earth science content instruction they will get will come from an introductory course. Excellence in K-8 Earth science education is highly contingent on what teachers learn and actually take with them to the classroom. At the same time, it is rare that a geoscience college professor is aware of what topics teachers are expected to teach.
The National Science Education Standards , published by the National Academies, is the basis for most state science standards. More specific standards may apply to science classrooms in your state.
Example of a course for K-8 preservice teachers aligned to Minnesota State Standards (Microsoft Word 58kB Jun11 04)