Overview

In this learning sequence students investigate the processes that have shaped the landforms on Earth’s surface including weathering, erosion and deposition. They learn about the rock cycle and the three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Students also investigate the uses of natural mineral resources and aspects of mining. 

Opportunities are provided for students to do simple experiments modelling processes such as weathering, rock formation and mining. They are encouraged to complete field work investigating examples of weathering and erosion as well as rock types in their local area. 

Students are learning to:

• understand that rock formation involves very slow changes over a long period of time

• describe and distinguish between the processes of weathering and erosion 

• describe and model mechanical and chemical weathering

• describe steps in the formation of sedimentary rocks 

• describe and distinguish between rocks, ores and minerals 

• identify and describe common rock types and how they are related in the rock cycle 

• understand the importance of mining natural resources used in everyday products 

• outline the steps involved in the mining and processing of common resources. 

Outcomes

• ES1 Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales. 

• ES1b Students relate the formation of a range of landforms to physical and chemical weathering, erosion and deposition.

• ES1c Students outline the origins of and relationships between sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks.

• ES1d Students identify that sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals.

• ES1e Students classify a variety of common rocks and minerals into groups according to their observable properties.

• ES1h Students describe examples to show how people use understanding and skills from across the disciplines of science in occupations related to the exploration, mining or processing of minerals in Australia.

• SC4-1VA appreciates the importance of science in their lives and the role of scientific inquiry in increasing understanding of the world around them

• SC4-4WS identifies questions and problems that can be tested or researched and makes predictions based on scientific knowledge 

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions

• SC4-8WS selects and uses appropriate strategies, understanding and skills to produce creative and plausible solutions to identified problems 

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations 

• SC4-12ES describes the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system 

• SC4-13ES explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management

Students investigate weathering, erosion and deposition as key processes in the story of sedimentary rock formation. They develop an appreciation of the slow but constant changes that are occurring to the landscape and landforms as a result of movements of the Earth and the actions of water, wind, ice and gravity. Students investigate mechanical and chemical weathering and model simple processes in the formation of sedimentary rocks. 

Students will:

• learn about weathering, erosion and deposition

• classify examples as either weathering, erosion or deposition 

• learn about sedimentary rock formation

• conduct investigations to model weathering, erosion and sedimentation.

Students describe and distinguish between rocks and minerals. They investigate the three different types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic and how they are related through the rock cycle. They perform simple experiments to compare and test minerals.

Students will:

• learn about the properties of rocks and compare them with minerals

• explore the rock cycle and how each of the three types of rocks are formed

• learn about the properties of minerals and how to identify them.

Students explore the use of mineral resources in everyday items in a Smart home. They have an opportunity to investigate mining of selected resources such as copper, aluminium and iron in Australia, identifying mined ores that yield minerals that can be processed into metals for use. Students practise evaluating sources of information using the CRAAP test.

Students will:

• discover how Australia mines its natural resources

• learn about the impact of mining on the Australian economy

• explore the different ways extraction and processing takes place in mining

• evaluate sources of information using the CRAAP test.