Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012 Geology: Skills and concepts as developed

from the Des Moines Public Schools 7th Grade Science Curriculum (Revised 2011). Curriculum based on Iowa Core and International Baccalaureate program. Student Centered Objectives 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) I can explain how plate tectonics shape Earths landscape. I can identify the reason why earthquakes occur. I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral. I can summarize the rock cycle and list three types of rock. I can identify how fossils provide evidence of changes in life and environmental conditions over time I can evaluate sources of information for accuracy and validity.

I plan to begin this section tying the students understanding of chemistry and physics to minerals and rocks. I will then develop a project that will help the students better evaluate information sources giving them a sample of a peer reviewed journal article. Next, we will examine how fossils form. This will lead into a discussion of geological time and plate tectonics. Finally, we will use the previous material to examine how earthquakes and volcanoes occur. Time Span: approx. 5 Weeks 10-12
Time for unit. Must coordinate with a visit from Iowa State University, Spring Break and Parent Teacher Conferences.

Number of Class Periods per group:

Differentiation:

Among the body of 140 students, there is a great range of understanding in the current chemistry unit. Those who understand how elements form molecules and compounds will most likely transition well to understanding organic vs. inorganic materials and be able to complete an analysis of 10 specimens. Those who are struggling currently will need additional models to reinforce their current physical science understanding and may need additional resources to complete tasks designed to increase their understanding.

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012

Monday 3/5/2012 B
Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet, Guided Reading PowerPoint

Tuesday 3/6/2012 A
Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet, Guided Reading PowerPoint

Wednesday 3/7/2012 B
Cooking Mining Materials

Thursday 3/8/2012 A
Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet, Guided Reading PowerPoint Minerals Quiz

Friday 3/9/2012 B
Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet, Guided Reading PowerPoint Minerals Quiz

Materials

Objectives

3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral

3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral

3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral (How does mining affect the environment?)

3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral

3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral

Teacher Actions

Design and present PowerPoint Guided Reading. Design activity worksheets, Gather rock materials.

Design and present PowerPoint Guided Reading. Design activity worksheets, Gather rock materials.

Gather materials for lab and lab worksheets.

Spend time at tables determining students' understanding of mineral identification process

Spend time at tables determining students' understanding of mineral identification process

Student Actions

Read Section 1- Complete Rock and Mineral Worksheet

Read Section 1- Complete Rock and Mineral Worksheet

Students will mine for "minerals" (chocolate chips and nuts) and pay fines for damage done to their "land" (cookies). Reflection in Science Notebook.

Read Section 1- Complete Rock and Mineral Worksheet. Take quiz at class end.

Read Section 1- Complete Rock and Mineral Worksheet. Take quiz at class end.

Assessment

Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet.

Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet.

Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet. Quiz and Formative Assessment

Rock and Mineral Identification Worksheet. Quiz and Formative Assessment

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Week 1

Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012 Monday 3/12/2012 A Materials
Various rock specimens worksheet. Media for reading/watching

Tuesday 3/13/2012 B
Various rock specimens worksheet. Media for reading/watching

Wednesday 3/14/2012 A
Cooking Mining Materials 3C - I can differentiate between a rock and a mineral (How does mining affect the environment?)

Thursday 3/15/2012

Friday 3/16/2012

Objectives

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list three types of rock.

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list three types of rock.

Teacher Actions

Find multiple specimens of the three types of rock. Check worksheet at the end of the activity for understanding. Read Unit 2 Sections 1, 2 and 3. Watch a video demonstrating the rock cycle. Examine rock specimens and complete an accompanying worksheet. Rock type worksheet, in class formative observation.

Find multiple specimens of the three types of rock. Check worksheet at the end of the activity for understanding.

Gather materials for lab and lab worksheets.

Conferences

Student Actions

Read Unit 2 Sections 1, 2 and 3. Watch a video demonstrating the rock cycle. Examine rock specimens and complete an accompanying worksheet. Rock type worksheet, in class formative observation.

Students will mine for "minerals" (chocolate chips and nuts) and pay fines for damage done to their "land" (cookies). Reflection in Science Notebook.

Assessment

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Week 2

Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012 Materials Objectives Teacher Actions Student Actions Assessment Monday 3/26/2012 B Materials
Poster Board, Art Materials

No School Spring Break

Tuesday 3/27/2012 A
Poster Board, Art Materials

Wednesday 3/28/2012 B

Thursday 3/29/2012 A
Numerous sources of information about a similar topic and a source evaluation worksheet. 3E I can identify how fossils provide evidence of changes in life and environmental conditions over time. NOS 6. I can evaluate sources of information for accuracy and validity. Produce worksheet instructing students on sources and introduce them to logical fallacies. Evaluate sources provided and reflect on how to identify a reliable source of information.

Friday 3/30/2012 B
Numerous sources of information about a similar topic and a source evaluation worksheet. 3E I can identify how fossils provide evidence of changes in life and environmental conditions over time. NOS 6. I can evaluate sources of information for accuracy and validity. Produce worksheet instructing students on sources and introduce them to logical fallacies. Evaluate sources provided and reflect on how to identify a reliable source of information. Formative observation + worksheet and reflection.

Teacher Actions Student Actions

Gather materials. Provide rubric for poster presentation.

Gather materials. Provide rubric for poster presentation.

Poster Completion Time

Creatively but accurately, demonstrate the rock cycle.

Creatively but accurately, demonstrate the rock cycle. Work time continued formative assessment

Assessment

Rubric - Accuracy, Creativity

Rubric - Accuracy, Creativity

Formative observation + worksheet and reflection.

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Week 3

Objectives

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list 3 types of rock.

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list 3 types of rock.

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list 3 types of rock.

Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012

Monday 4/2/2012 A

Tuesday 4/3/2012 B

Wednesday 4/4/2012 A

Thursday 4/5/2012 B
Visual Models of Earth's Crust (Possibly Chocolate pudding on a hot plate). Movie clip on plate tectonics. Guided Reading for Chapter 4 Section 1.

Friday 4/6/2012 A
Visual Models of Earth's Crust (Possibly Chocolate pudding on a hot plate). Movie clip on plate tectonics. Guided Reading for Chapter 4 Section 1.

Materials

Worksheet and Demonstrations

Worksheet and Demonstrations

Teacher Actions

Prepare a worksheet that covers the needed terms and concepts. Perform an activity where students evaluate soils and decide whether a fossil would form. Complete worksheet and hand in by the end of the next period. Examine answers to questions. Push to see longer answers to questions.

Prepare a worksheet that covers the needed terms and concepts. Perform an activity where students evaluate soils and decide whether a fossil would form. Complete worksheet and hand in by the end of the next period. Examine answers to questions. Push to see longer answers to questions.

Poster Completion Time

Set up model and present information to class. Present movie. Guide students through reading activity.

Set up model and present information to class. Present movie. Guide students through reading activity.

Student Actions Assessment

Participate and provide feedback Work time continued formative assessment Continued formative assessment. Worksheet completion.

Participate and provide feedback Continued formative assessment. Worksheet completion.

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Week 4

Objectives

3E I can identify how fossils provide evidences of changes in life and environmental conditions over time.

3E I can identify how fossils provide evidences of changes in life and environmental conditions over time.

3D - I can summarize the rock cycle and list 3 types of rock.

3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape and 3B. I can identify the reasons why earthquakes occur.

3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape and 3B. I can identify the reasons why earthquakes occur.

Geology Unit Plan For Students of 7th Grade Science Spring 2012 Monday 4/9/2012 B Materials
Iowa State Earthquake Lab

Tuesday 4/10/2012 A
Iowa State Earthquake Lab

Wednesday 4/11/2012 B
Finish Guided Reading for Chapter 4 Unit 1

Thursday 4/12/2012 A
Paper and research materials

Friday 4/13/2012 B
Paper and research materials 3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape. 3B. I can identify the reason why Earthquakes occur. NOS 6. I can evaluate sources of information for accuracy and validity. Provide a rubric for the paper. Also, provide an instruction worksheet and verbal explanation of expectations. Work on paper. Will suggest drafts before final due date Performance on paper.

Teacher Actions Student Actions Assessment

Communicate with Iowa State and determine what needs to be prepared IN ADVANCE

Communicate with Iowa State and determine what needs to be prepared IN ADVANCE

Provide a rubric for the paper. Also, provide an instruction worksheet and verbal explanation of expectations. Work on paper. Will suggest drafts before final due date Performance on paper.

Participate in the activity Formative observation

Participate in the activity Formative observation

Created By: Douglas M. Uhlman 2012

Week 5

Objectives

3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape. 3B. I can identify the reason why Earthquakes occur.

3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape. 3B. I can identify the reason why Earthquakes occur.

3A. I can explain how plate tectonics shape the Earth's landscape. 3B. I can identify the reason why Earthquakes occur. NOS 6. I can evaluate sources of information for accuracy and validity.