LGMS Unit Plan
Unit Title: Projected Dates
Rocks and Minerals Aug 1 – Sept 16
of Study:
Content S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the
Standard(s): earth’s surface is formed.
b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.
c. Classify rocks by their process of formation.
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the
earth.
Processing S6CS1. Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and
Standard(s): skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to
understand how the world works.
b. Understand the importance of—and keep—honest, clear, and accurate
records in science.
S6CS2 Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory
and field investigations.
a. Follow correct procedures for use of scientific apparatus.
b. Demonstrate appropriate techniques in all laboratory situations.
c. Follow correct protocol for identifying and reporting safety problems and
violations.
S6CS3. Students will use computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing
data and following scientific explanations.
d. Draw conclusions based on analyzed data.
S6CS5 Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring
scientific and technological matters.
b. Identify several different models that could be used to represent the
same thing, and evaluate their usefulness, taking into account such things
as model’s purpose and complexity.
S6CS6 Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
a. Write clear, step-by- step instructions for conduction science
investigations, operating a piece of equipment, or following a procedure.
c. Organize scientific information using appropriate tables, charts, and
graphs, and identify relationships they reveal.
S6CS7 Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.
(b.) Recognize that there may be more than one way to interpret a given set of
findings.
S6CS8. Students will investigate the characteristics of scientific knowledge and
how it is achieved.
a. When similar investigations give different results, the scientific challenge
is to judge whether the differences are trivial or significant, which often
requires further study. Even with similar results, scientists may wait until
an investigation has been repeated many times before accepting the results
as meaningful.
S6CS9 Students will investigate the features of the process of scientific inquiry.
a. Scientific investigations are conducted for different reasons. They usually
involve collecting evidence, reasoning, devising hypotheses, and formulating
explanations.
S6CS10 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas.
Enduring Understanding(s): Essential Question(s):
Students will understand that…
Minerals compose much of the Earth’s What is a mineral?
crust and can be identified by their What is a crystal?
physical properties. How can you identify a mineral?
You use minerals and products made How are minerals used in daily life?
from them every day. What is a rock?
Identifying minerals helps you recognize How are rocks classified?
valuable mineral resources. How are igneous rocks classified?
Minerals are necessary materials for How are metamorphic rocks classified?
decorative items and many How are sedimentary rocks classified?
manufactured products.
Rocks continuously change as they are
subjected to the processes of the
rock cycle.
Rocks exist everywhere, from under
deep oceans and in high mountain ranges,
to the landscape beneath your feet.
Igneous rocks are the most abundant
kind of rock in Earth’s crust. They
contain many valuable resources.
Metamorphic rocks are useful because
of their unique properties.
Some sedimentary rocks, like coal, are
important sources of energy.
Students will know…(Learning Targets) Students will be able to…(Performance
Evidence/Tasks)
Minerals are formed by natural Describe characteristics that all
processes, are inorganic, have minerals share.
definite chemical compositions, and Explain how minerals form.
are crystalline solids. Describe physical properties used to
Each mineral is identified by its identify minerals.
physical properties. Identify minerals using physical
Minerals are important because some properties such as hardness and
are rare, have special properties, or streak.
contain materials that have many Describe characteristics of gems
uses. that make them more valuable than
Rocks are solid mixtures of minerals other minerals.
or other natural materials that Identify useful elements that are
change slowly through time. contained in minerals.
Igneous rocks are formed from Distinguish between a rock and a
molten or liquid rock material. mineral.
Metamorphic rocks form when solid Describe the rock cycle and some
rocks are squeezed, heated, or changes that a rock could undergo.
exposed to fluids, changing them into Recognize magma and lava as the
new rocks. materials that coo, to form igneous
Sedimentary rocks form when rocks.
sediment is compacted and cemented Contrast granitic and basaltic igneous
together, or when minerals form rocks.
from solutions. Describe the conditions in Earth that
cause metamorphic rocks to form.
Classify metamorphic rocks as either
foliated or nonfoliated.
Explain how sedimentary rocks form
from sediments.
Classify sedimentary rocks as
detrital, chemical, or organic in
solution.
Summarize the rock cycle.
Assessment FOR Learning: Assessment OF Learning (Evidence of
1. What do the students need? 2. What are the students’ strengths to Mastery):
build on? 3. How should students be grouped? 4. Is the pacing too
What grade do teachers assign students?
fast, too slow, too far, or not far enough?
1. Student Notebooks, Glencoe Earth 1. Selected analysis questions from
Science Book and SEPUP Activity activities using the corresponding
Book rubrics:
2. A pre-test will be given to assess Relating Evidence (RE)
prior knowledge. Group Interaction (GI)
3. Students can be grouped in pairs or Understanding Concepts (UC)
quads. Analyzing Data (AD)
4. Various activities will determine the GI
pacing of each class/groups of RE; Evidence and Trade-offs
students. (ET)
2. Notetaking, Reinforcements, Self
Checks, and CRCT Practices can be
assessed for comprehension and
mastery purposes.
3. Quizzes and Unit test will assess
content mastery based on
percentages of responses.
Learning Activities (Lesson Plans): Key Vocabulary based upon the Language of
Place titles here and attach/hyperlink lesson plans the Standards (LOTS):
Glencoe Earth Science: atoms ore
Chapter 3 Readings and resources mineral rock
Chapter 4 Readings and resources magma rock cycle
SEPUP Earth Science: lava element
Act 12- Observing Natural crystal igneous rock
Resources silicate intrusive
Act 13- Diamond Dilemma hardness extrusive
Act 14- Analyzing Diamond Data luster basaltic
Act 15- Mineral Properties specific gravity granitic
Act 16- Mineral Identification streak pressure
Act 17- The Mineral in Rock cleavage metamorphic
Act 18- Every Rock Tells a Story fracture foliated
Act 19- Rock Formation gem nonfoliated
Act 20- Identifying Rock Types
Act 21- Modeling Rock Layers
Act 22- Rock Cycle Game
Act 23- Making Minerals
To Ensure Learning and Understanding:
1. How will the content, assessment tools, performance tasks, and instructional strategies be differentiated to address learning and
understanding variances? 2. What will happen if learning and understanding does not occur?
Reinforcement and Enrichment activities will be used for differentiation purposes.
Additional labs may also be used to reinforce content if necessary. Pacing for the
next unit might be slightly adjusted if additional time is needed for remediation
purposes.