What’s in This Unit?

Understanding the geologic history of specific regions on Earth helps us understand how rock forms and transforms and how matter cycling on Earth is driven by different sources of energy. The Rocky Mountains and Great Plains are two iconic locations in the United States that have a shared geologic history, which serves as the anchor phenomenon that students investigate in this unit. Students are motivated by the discovery of the surprisingly similar mineral composition of rocks from the two locations. Geologists examine rock formations to learn about the history of the rock. In this unit, students play the role of student geologists as they investigate different ways rocks form and change. Using physical models, a digital simulation, and hands-on activities as well as information gathered from data and science texts, students investigate the cycling of matter (rock material) on Earth and how energy from the sun and from Earth’s interior drive different rock transformation processes. Students will also be completing a hands on mineral identification lab to spark engagement, watching rock cycle videos and taking a Unit 1 assessment at the end. Students always recieve a study guide that is reviewed in class before the test day. Our science curriculum is located on clever and can be accessed through Amplify Science. Students have digital access to all the unit chapters, articles and computer simulations that we will be completing in class.

 It's going to be a great year!! :)