Unit 1: Planet Earth Chapter 1: The Physical Earth -- Our Solar System -- Earth's Four Systems -- Rocks on Our Planet -- Chapter 1 Writing Assignment Chapter 2: The Dynamic Earth -- Place Tectonics -- Volcanoes -- Earthquakes -- Chapter 2 Writing Assignment

Unit 2: Water on Earth Chapter 3: Earth's Water Supply -- The Water Cycle -- GroundWater and Surface Water -- Glaciers -- Chapter 3 Writing Assignment Chapter 4: Earth's Oceans -- Oceans -- Currents -- Waves and Tsunamis -- Chapter 4 Writing Assignment

Unit 3: The Air Around Us Chapter 5: Earth's Atmosphere -- The Composition of the Atmosphere -- The Structure of the Atmosphere -- Clouds -- Chapter 5 Writing Assignment Chapter 6: Weather and Climate -- Climates Around the World -- Storms -- Hurricanes -- Chapter 6 Writing Assignment

Unit 4: Life on Earth Chapter 7: Plants and Animals -- Living Things -- Plant Life -- Animal Life -- Chapter 7 Writing Assignment Chapter 8: The Human Body -- The Brain -- The Skeletal and the Muscular Systems -- The Heart and the Circulatory System -- Chapter 8 Writing Assignment Chapter 9: Living Longer, Living Better? -- Life Expectancy: From 25 to 100+ -- Advances in the Field of Medicine -- Seeking Balance in the Natural World -- Chapter 9 Writing Assignment

Weights and Measures -- Map of the World -- References -- Task Index

''Academic Encounters: The Natural World is a content-based reading, study skills, and writing book that introduces students to topics in Earth Science and Biology relevant to life today. These high-interest topics include Earth's systems: the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere; causes and effects of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis; the human brain and the human heart; and recent medieval advances.'' (Book Cover)