Half Hollow Hills CSD Elementary Science
Christian Fogarazzo Director of Science
Unit: Earth’s Structure Grade: 5 Standards: Standard 4 (The Physical Environment): Students will understand and apply concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. Key Idea 2: Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water and land. Performance Indicator 2.1: Explain how the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (land) interact, evolve and change. Major Understandings: 2.1c The rock at Earth’s surface forms a nearly continuous shell around Earth called the lithosphere. 2.1d The majority of the lithosphere is covered by a relatively thin layer of water called the hydrosphere. 2.1e Rocks are composed of minerals. Only a few rock-‐forming minerals make up most of the rocks of Earth. Minerals are identified on the basis of physical properties such as streak, hardness, and reaction to acid. 2.1f Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rocks. Fossils can be used to study past climates and environments. 2.1g The dynamic processes that wear away Earth’s surface include weathering and erosion. 2.1h The processes of weathering breaks down rocks to form sediment. Soil consists of sediment, organic material, water, and air. 2.1i Erosion is the transport of sediment. Gravity is the driving force behind erosion. Gravity can act directly or through agents such as moving water, wind, and glaciers. Performance Indicator 2.2: Describe earthquake patterns, the rock cycle, and weather and climate changes. 2.2a The interior of Earth is hot. Heat flow and movement of material within Earth causes sections of earth’s crust to move. This may result in earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and the creation of mountains and ocean basins. 2.2b Analysis of earthquake wave data (vibrational disturbances) leads to the conclusion that there are layers within Earth. These layers—the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core—have distinct properties. 2.2d Continents fitting together like puzzle parts and fossil correlations provide initial evidence that continents were once together. 2.2e The Theory of Plate Tectonics explains how the “solid” lithosphere consists of a series of plates that “float” on the partially molten section of mantle. Convection cells within the mantle may be the driving force for the movement of the plates.
2.2f Plates may collide, move apart, or slide past one another. Most volcanic activity and mountain building occur at the boundaries of these plates, often resulting in earthquakes. 2.2g Rocks are classified according to their method of formation. The three classes of rocks are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Most rocks show characteristics that give clues to their formation conditions. 2.2h The rock cycle model shows how types of rocks or rock material may be transformed from one type to another. Essential Questions: 1. How has the movement of tectonic plates affected Earth over the span of time? 2. How can we describe the layers of the Earth? 3. How have weathering and erosion changed Earth’s surface? 4. How do rocks form? 5. How does the rock cycle compare to some of the other cycles we have studied in science? 6. How can we examine the history of life on Earth? 7. What factors contribute to the weathering and erosion of rocks? 8. How can we identify the different types of rocks? Content (Students will know/ understand that…) I. Layers of the Earth A. Crust – outermost and thinnest layer 1. Continental Crust – makes up all the land of the continents 2. Oceanic Crust – crust that lies beneath the ocean B. Mantle – layer below the crust that makes up most of the Earth’s material 1. Top Part of mantle – solid hot rock 2. Lower Part of Mantle – has some properties of a liquid C. Outer Core – is liquid (iron and nickel); flow produces Earth’s magnetic field D. Inner Core – made of mostly iron; completely solid **The Earth’s temperature is incredibly hot as you approach the core. II. Plate Tectonic Basics A. Lithosphere & Earth’s Moving Plates 1. Lithosphere is composed of the crust (solid) and upper part of the mantle (solid) 2. Lithosphere is a thin shell on the Earth’s surface 3. The lithosphere is broken up into several large sections (and many smaller ones) called plates 4. Earth’s plates move slowly – “floating” on the lower part of the mantle B. Plate Boundaries 1. The edges where two plates meet C. Effects of Earth’s Moving Plates 1. Earthquakes a. Often occur along plate boundaries b. Instead of moving slowly, the plates get stuck, and then jerk into a new position c. This sudden movement causes vibrations and people feel as an earthquake d. Can cause damage to buildings and other structures
2. a. b. c. d. 3. a. b.
Volcanoes Often occur along plate boundaries Rock partially melts to form magma Sometimes the magma is forced to the surface through a weak spot in the crust Lava can then be released from openings in the crust Mountain Formation Often occur along plate boundaries When two plates collide, mountains are formed when the crust folds, tilts, and lifts as plates meet
III. Processes that Cause Changes to Earth’s Surface (Weathering & Erosion) A. Weathering – a slow, destructive process that beaks rocks into smaller pieces called sediments B. Factors that Cause Weathering: 1. Freezing water – when water freezes, it expands, causing cracks in rocks 2. Wind – constant wind can cause rocks to weather 3. Roots – plant roots can grow in cracks of rocks and brake them into smaller pieces 4. Water – water flow over rocks can weather rocks C. Erosion – is the movement of materials away from one location to another D. Factors that Cause Erosion: 1. Gravity – like a landslide, gravity quickly pulls rocks and dirt downhill 2. Water – rivers and ocean waves can move sediments from one place to another 3. Wind – is caused by wind blowing sediments from one place to another IV. Rocks & Minerals A. Minerals – naturally occurring solids found in rocks and soil 1. Examples of Common Minerals a. Diamond b. Gold c. Iron d. Quartz B. Rocks – naturally formed solids that are part of Earth that are usually made up of one or more minerals 1. Types of Rocks: a. Igneous Rocks – are formed when melted rock cools and hardens Ex: Granite, Basalt, Pumice b. Sedimentary Rocks – form when layers of materials and rock particles settle on top of each other and then harden. Ex: Sandstone, Conglomerate i. Fossils can be found in sedimentary rock ii. Fossils help describe the history of life on the earth c. Metamorphic Rock – formed when solid rock is squeezed and heated to very high temperatures and the particles inside take on different arrangements and properties Ex: Gneiss, Slate
V. Rock Cycle A. Rocks are constantly being formed and destroyed B. Not a one-‐way chain of events C. Rocks can change from one kind to another, or stay the same for millions of years Skills (Students will be able to…) Create a model that displays the layers of the Earth. Analyze how the movement of tectonic plates is responsible for the formation of mountains, the eruption of volcanoes, and earthquakes. Read and research about the volcanic eruption of Mount Saint Helens. Read and research about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Design and test earthquake resistant structures. Investigate factors that affect the process of weathering. Investigate factors that affect the process of erosion. Observe and record the characteristics of different types of rocks. Use a rock cycle chart to determine how one kind of rock can form another kind of rock. Create fossils and explain how they can help describe the history of life on Earth. Assessment Science Journal Entries Multiple Choice / Short Answer Test Lab Activities Resources STEM Lab Library: Leveled Readers from Benchmark Education– Rocks & Minerals Leveled Readers from Scholastic Trio -‐ Rocks Discovery Education Science See KUB List (Suggested Activities)
Essential Vocabulary • Continents • Crust • Erosion • Fossils • Igneous Rocks • Inner Core • Lava • Lithosphere • Magma • Mantle • Metamorphic Rocks • Minerals • Outer Core • Plate Tectonics • Rock Cycle • Rocks • Sediment • Sedimentary Rocks